FUNDING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Your business plan will help you figure out how much money you’ll need to start your business. If you don’t have that amount on hand, you’ll need to either raise or borrow the capital. Fortunately, there are more ways than ever to find the capital you need.

Types of Funding

Fund your business yourself with self-funding

Otherwise known as bootstrapping, self-funding lets you leverage your own financial resources to support your business. Self-funding can come in the form of turning to family and friends for capital, using your savings accounts, or even tapping into your 401k. With self-funding, you retain complete control over the business but you also take on all the risk yourself. Be careful not to spend more than you can afford, and be especially careful if you choose to use tap into retirement accounts early. You might face expensive fees or penalties, or damage your ability to retire on time — so you should check with your plan’s administrator and a personal financial advisor first.

Get venture capital from investors

Investors can give you funding to start your business in the form of venture capital investments. Venture capital is normally offered in exchange for an ownership share and active role in the company. Almost all venture capitalists will, at a minimum, want a seat on the board of directors. So be prepared to give up some portion of both control and ownership of your company in exchange for funding. Venture capital differs from traditional financing in a number of important ways. Venture capital typically:

• Focuses high-growth companies
• Invests capital in return for equity, rather than debt (it’s not a loan)
• Takes higher risks in exchange for potential higher returns
• Has a longer investment horizon than traditional financing

​Use crowdfunding to fund your business

Crowdfunding raises funds for a business from a large number of people, called crowdfunders. Crowdfunders aren’t technically investors, because they don’t receive a share of ownership in the business and don’t expect a financial return on their money. Instead, crowdfunders expect to get a “gift” from your company as thanks for their contribution. Often, that gift is the product you plan to sell or other special perks, like meeting the business owner or getting their name in the credits. This makes crowdfunding a popular option for people who want to produce creative works (like a documentary), or a physical product (like a high-tech cooler). Crowdfunding is also popular because it’s very low risk for business owners. Not only do you get to retain full control of your company, but if your plan fails, you’re typically under no obligation to repay your crowdfunders. Every crowdfunding platform is different, so make sure to read the fine print and understand your full financial and legal obligations.

Get a small business loan

If you want to retain complete control of your business, but don’t have enough funds to start, consider a small business loan. To increase your chances of securing a loan, you should have a business plan, expense sheet, and financial projections for the next five years. These tools will give you an idea of how much you’ll need to ask for, and will help the bank know they’re making a smart choice by giving you a loan. Once you have your materials ready, contact banks and credit unions to request a loan. You’ll want to compare offers to get the best possible terms for your loan.

Apply for a Grant

Various organizations offer grants to help fund your business. Grants do not need to be paid back but there are deliverables that are required by each grant.

Resources for Finding Funding

Bank of America Access to Capital Directory

Bank of America, in partnership with Seneca Women, announced the launch of the Bank of America Access to Capital Directory. This first-of-its-kind platform is a resource to help educate women-owned businesses in the U.S. on navigating the capital landscape and identifying potential sources of funding, such as equity, debt and grant capital.

Hello Alice

From a grant to jazz up your online storefront to a loan to help you stock up on inventory, the Small Business Funding Center connects you with the capital you need to launch and grow your small business. The juggle is real for hard-working entrepreneurs like you, so you can bank on easy applications and personalized recommendations here. 

SBA Small Business Loans

SBA CAPLine Loans

SMARTstart Microloan Fund

The Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart Microloan Fund is available for passionate, small business owners with the solid ideas, good management skills, valid business plan needed for success, but are unable to secure traditional financing.

Proceeds are available to be used for:

• Working Capital
• Inventory
• Supplies
• Furniture
• Fixtures
• Machinery and Equipment

Learn more:  https://pascoedc.com/microloan-funding

Grants

Amber Grant

Amber Grants began in 1998 in honor of Amber Wigdahl, who died before fulfilling her dreams. Each month we award an Amber Grant of $10,000, and one of our 12 monthly recipients receives an additional $25,000 Amber Grant.

January – Skilled Trades
February – Health, Fitness & Wellness
March – Food & Beverage
April – Sustainability
May – Mental & Emotional Support
June – Business Support Services (e.g. accounting, consulting)
July – Animal Services
August – Hair Care & SkinCare
September – Education & Child Care
October – Creative Arts
November – Technology & E-commerce
December – Fashion Design

Grant Awarded Monthly. Deadline application: Last day each month. ($15.00 fee for each application)

For more information visit: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/get-an-amber-grant/

Backstage Capital

Backstage Capital provides support to startup founders through programs and grants. Applicants must identify as women, people of color and/or LGBTQ+ members and be affiliates with a for-profit stage company.

For more information visit: https://backstagecapital.com/

Cartier Women’s Initiative

The Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI) is a global, impact-driven grant program founded in 2006. Awards are split apart into three distinct categories: Regional Awards (three fellows from North America, which is one of the 9 regions); Science & Technology Pioneer Award (three fellows); and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award (three fellows). If a company is leveraging an existing technology, process or model but applying it in a novel way, they recommend applying to the Regional Awards. If a company is developing a pioneering new technology, a complex engineering process, or a scientific discovery (and not only on a disruptive business model), they recommend applying to the Science & Technology Pioneer Award. The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award is designed for businesses that are working on closing gaps of access, outcome or opportunity for underserved or underrepresented communities. The CWI grant program also offers human and social capital, through a one year fellowship including a 3-day in-person program with Insead Business School and life-time access to the 800+ members of the CWI community. Since its inception, CWI has awarded $12.22 million in grants, assisting 330 entrepreneurs across 66 countries.

Application deadline is June 24, 2025

For more information visit: https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/about 

EmpowHER Grant

The EmpowHER grant offers up to $25,000 to female social entrepreneurs whose business model directly addresses a social issue. These social issues are defined as poverty and hunger, sustainability and the environment and strong communities. The businesses must be in their early stage, and there are quarterly opportunities to apply for the grant. Requirements: This grant is open for female entrepreneurs ages 22 or older. Businesses must be registered for-profit entities operating in the United States. The business must address a social issue through its business model. Businesses must not be more than three years old.

Deadlines:

Q1: January-March

Q2: April-June

Q3: July-September

Q4: October-December

For more information visit: https://theboundlessfuturesfoundation.submittable.com/submit

Gaxy Grant Giveaway

Funding Your Dreams – Starts Here!

Are you a woman or minority entrepreneur looking to grow your business? The Galaxy Grant is giving away $3,500 to help passionate business owners like YOU succeed!

– FREE to apply
– 30-Second application process
– Open to ALL women & minority entrepreneurs at ALL stages of business (new, experienced, or aspiring)

Don’t let this opportunity slip away! Apply by June 30, 2025 for your chance to win.

Application Deadline is June 30, 2025

For more information visit: https://galaxyofstars.org/galaxy-grants/ 

Grants.gov

If you’re looking for federally sponsored grants for women, the best place to start is Grants.gov. All government grants are open to male and female business owners, and this site serves as a database of all federal grants—including those specifically available for small business owners. To search for this type of grant, visit the official government grants website and check out their section for grant applicants to see if you’re eligible.

It’s important to note that this database includes a variety of grants, so you may need to sort through different options to find those that are the most relevant to small business owners.

Grants.gov can serve as a great starting point with over a dozen federal government agencies participating in the database.

HerRISE Micro-Grant

The HerRise Micro-Grant provides financial support to women of color who are often unable to secure funding for their small business. Each month a $500 micro-grant will be awarded to a small business owned by women of color. Small business grants are useful for financing a particular small business need. Past recipients used their growth grants for computers, equipment, marketing materials, website creation and more. Applications close on the last day of the month. Every applicant needs to create an account and logged in to view and complete the application. There is a $10 administration fee.

Micro-Grant Awarded Monthly

For more information visit: www.hersuitespot.com/herrise/

H&R Block Fund Her Future Grant

H&R Block has launched the second annual Fund Her Future grant program through Block Advisors, accepting applications from April 28 to May 30, 2025. The program will award $100,000 in total funding plus business services valued at $30,000 to six women-owned small businesses.

The initiative addresses significant challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, as revealed in the 2024 State of Women’s Small Business Report: 42% of women business owners face loan rejection, and 90% rely on personal finances due to funding access.

The 2025 program structure includes:

One grand prize of $50,000
Five additional grants of $10,000 each
All winners receive one year of Block Advisors business services

Application deadline is May 30, 2025

For more information visit: https://app.helloalice.com/grants/h-r-block-fund-her-future-grant

Hivers and Strivers Investment Program

Pitch program for Veterans

As an angel investment group, Hivers and Strivers works to provide capital to qualifying businesses. Specifically, the investment group funds projects submitted by veteran-owned and veteran-led businesses. Funding opportunities can range from $250,000 to $1 million. Those who qualify can apply for funding for a business idea on a rolling basis, but businesses reliant on government contracts are not eligible to apply

For more information visit: https://hiversandstrivers.com/ 

Hometown Grant Program

Hometown Grants are intended for “shovel-ready projects”. Information required for your application includes:

• Project plan proposal with a detailed budget and timeline
• Up to 5 letters of support from stakeholders in the community
• Examples of in-kind donation possibilities/additional funding to cover the remainder of the project
• Details on permits needed or already obtained

Applications will be open on a quarterly basis with the following schedule: Spring: Applications open January–March Summer: Applications open April–June Fall: Applications open July–September Winter: Applications open October–December

For more information visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants

IdeaCafe Grant

The IdeaCafe Grant awards a $1,000 micro-grant to one small business owner each year. The application deadline is in January, so apply early. Although the funding isn’t technically a small business grant for women only, the vast majority of the winners have been female entrepreneurs.

This is a great grant to apply to if you’re a relatively new startup looking for funding. This grant is also available for those that have an idea for a business but haven’t actively started building it yet.

For more information visit: www.businessownersideacafe.com/business_grants/

Jobber Grants program 2025

Home-services software provider Jobber is accepting applications for its 2025 Jobber Grants program. Up to 15 home-services small businesses across the United States and Canada will receive $10,000 grants each. Those businesses can be at any stage in their operations, whether it’s entrepreneurs just starting out or established businesses.

Jobber to date has provided $625,000 in grants over the five years of the program. The grants are awarded across several categories, including business owners who keep homes and offices safe, owners who have helped others build meaningful careers, people who look after their local communities, and people who prioritize technology and innovation.

Application deadline is June 11, 2025

For more information visit: https://www.getjobber.com/grants

KKR Grant

KKR Small Business Builders has an emphasis on companies that are pivoting their business in response to the pandemic; are operated by historically underrepresented groups (HUGs); and/or are providing important community services. To be eligible, a business must have between 5 and 50 employees, less than $7 million USD in annual revenue, demonstrated need for support, a strong plan for moving forward, and be in good standing with the IRS or their local regulatory body.

For more information visit: www.kkr.com/grants

#MomsMeanBusiness

ZenBusiness, a company that helps others launch and run their own businesses, has created the #MomsMeanBusiness campaign to recognize the resilience of moms and celebrate their accomplishments. To help mothers take the first step toward entrepreneurship, ZenBusiness is covering business formation costs and will help entrepreneurs form an LCC, track expenses, secure a business name, and more. All mothers are eligible and costs will be covered for “every mom in America.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis

For more information visit: https://www.zenbusiness.com/moms/

MBDA Capital Readiness Program Grant Competition

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency is launching a nearly $100 million grant program to support female and minority entrepreneurs. The Capital Readiness Program is directing grants of between $2 million and $3 million to business incubators and accelerators run by companies, nonprofits, and universities. So the funds will not go directly to small businesses from the federal government. But recipients must use the funds to provide services that can help women- and minority-owned startups overcome structural barriers. The program will focus on several high-growth industries, including health care, climate technologies, and infrastructure. 

For more information visit: https://www.mbda.gov/mbda-capital-readiness-program-grant-competition

National Association for Self Employment (NASE)

The National Association for the Self Employed (NASE) awards quarterly $4,000 Growth Grants to its members. Membership starts at $12 a month. You have to be a member in order to apply for this grant. 

Quarterly Grant. For more information visit: www.nase.org/become-a-member/member-benefits/business-resources/growth-grants

Stamps.com Flexibility Grant

Stamps.com has launched its inaugural Small Business Flexibility Grant to celebrate Small Business Month. The grant offers $25,000 to one service-based business in the U.S. to enhance operational resilience. Applications are open from May 1 through May 31, 2025. The program is designed to empower businesses facing everyday operational challenges, particularly those that can be alleviated through automation or digital tools.

Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based, service-oriented businesses with at least three employees and a minimum of two years in operation. Applicants are asked to share how their business would use the funding to improve flexibility, such as streamlining manual processes like mailing or shipping.

To maximize these opportunities, prepare compelling applications that connect your mission with measurable outcomes and include detailed plans for how the funds will be deployed. Whether you are expanding operations, integrating new technology, or launching a high-impact venture, these funding opportunities offer tangible support at a time when external financing is increasingly limited.

Application deadline is May 31, 2025

Quarterly Grant. For more information visit: https://www.stamps.com/grant/

The Dream Makers Founder Grant

The Dream Makers Founder Grant is a $1 million multi-year initiative created to support underrepresented business owners and expand equitable access to capital. The program distributes five $25,000 grants annually to help historically excluded entrepreneurs scale their ventures. In 2025, a total of $125,000 will be awarded, with applications open through May 30 and winners announced in early August.

Eligible businesses must be U.S.-based, generate annual revenue between $100,000 and $1 million, and have between one and ten employees. Companies must also be at least 51% women-owned and sell a consumer packaged good (CPG) that does not fall within the beauty category. While only members of the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community can apply, registration is free and takes less than 15 minutes. The program’s goal is to reduce funding barriers and foster an ecosystem where diverse founders can thrive; grant funds must be used for marketing, manufacturing, or R&D.

Application deadline is May 30, 2025

For more information visit: www.grantdreammakers.com

The Barstool Fund

The Barstool Fund is an ongoing grant program that supports small businesses suffering negative effects due to the pandemic. The program is funded through donations and supported by Barstool Sports. Applications are available online.

Ongoing applications

For more information visit: https://www.barstoolsports.com/the-barstool-fund

The BGV Pitch Program (Pitch competition)

Hosted by Black Girl Ventures, the BGV Pitch Competition is exclusively for Black or brown female business owners. Through the Raisify platform, audiences are given the opportunity to financially support the founders they believe in. Each founder has three minutes to pitch, followed by a three-minute audience Q&A. Three winners are awarded a first, second and third place prize of a $10,000, $6,000 or $2,000 grant, respectively. 

Applications are now being accepted for spring program.

For more information visit: www.blackgirlventures.org/bgv-pitch

The Freed Fellowship Grant

This grant offers a monthly $500 to qualifying business owners in the US. Applicants are evaluated based on a “5C Framework”, which assesses various aspects of applicants’ business. Along with the grant, applicants receive feedback on their business and a two-month free membership in the Freed Studio, a community of ambitious business owners. Grant recipients are also eligible for an end-of-year grant of $2,500. Grant recipients are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500. Monthly applications

For more information visit: www.freedfellowship.com

Verizon Grant

The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant is part of Verizon’s commitment to give small businesses the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s digital economy and ultimately benefit their local communities. In addition to the free courses, coaching sessions, and mentoring offered through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program, Verizon, in partnership with LISC will award grant funding to select small businesses to further our commitment. To be eligible for Verizon Small Digital Ready grants, you must be an active Verizon Small Business Digital Ready user and meet the specified eligibility criteria. These requirements will be detailed at the time of each grant launch. Small businesses that meet these criteria may apply for future rounds of grants, but a new application must be submitted for each round. Stay tuned for specific details when the next grant is announced!

For more information visit: https://vz.to/41r0ync

You Glow Girl Women Entrepreneur Grant

The You Glow Girl Women Entrepreneur Grant is offered by Eat Me Guilt Free, a line of health food products. Created in 2021, the program supports one female entrepreneur in expanding her business by providing her with a $10,000 grant. Additional prizes include a one-year supply of Eat Me Guilt Free items, mentoring from Cristie Besu, founder and CEO of Eat Me Guilt Free, and a physical health and wellness product. 

For more information visit: www.eatmeguiltfree.com

Wish Local Empowerment Program Grant

Black-owned businesses with no more than 20 employees, a brick-and-mortar location, and less than $1 million in average annual revenue.

ELIGIBILITY
Must be a Black-owned business (51%+)
Must possess a liquor license or currently seeking a liquor license

Application deadline: Until funds last

For more information visit: https://naacp.org/grants/backing-the-bar

Working Women of Tampa Bay Foundation

Entrepreneurs who have been in business from 6 months – 3 years. The money is to help female entrepreneurs with a little assistance to grow their business. Entrepreneurs must be able to demonstrate their proof of concept and a plan of how the funds will be used. Businesses must be headquartered in Tampa Bay.

$1,000 Grant

Rolling Applications (no deadline)

For more information visit: https://workingwomenoftampabay.com/WW-Foundation

Tampa Bay WBC is funded in part by a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration.  As with all of our programs at our host organization, The Centre for Women, we do not discriminate based on race or gender and our services are available to all.