EmpowerHer Grants For 5 Female Founders

Grant Overview

Real funding and mentorship for women entrepreneurs tackling poverty, sustainability, or community challenges through business.

The EmpowerHer Grants program by Boundless Futures Foundation hands women founders up to $50,000 in reimbursable capital plus direct access to a circle of advisors who actually know what scaling a purpose-driven company looks like. This isn’t another feel-good initiative with a $500 check and a pat on the back. It’s structured support for female business owners 22 and up who’ve registered their for-profit ventures in the United States, started earning revenue, and built their entire model around fixing something broken in the world. If your business exists because you saw hunger, environmental destruction, or systemic inequality and decided profit could be the engine for change, this grant was designed for you.

Who Boundless Futures Foundation Actually Funds

The foundation doesn’t chase buzzwords. They chase evidence. When Soon and McKeel Hagerty launched this private foundation in September 2023, they built the eligibility criteria around one central question: does this business make the world measurably better while generating profit?

Past winners prove the point. Sharon Ayalon’s UrbanMix created an AI platform that saves aging buildings from demolition in New York – preserving affordable housing stock while cutting construction waste. Kassidy Koch and Rena Vanzo co-founded The Boob Bus in South Jordan, Utah, bringing mobile mammography to women in rural areas who’d otherwise skip screenings. Zahra Biabani’s In The Loop built software for thrift stores in Katy, Texas, helping secondhand retailers price inventory accurately so more textiles stay out of landfills.

Notice a pattern? These aren’t side hustles. They’re revenue-generating businesses where social impact is baked into the business model, not tacked on as an afterthought. Farzaneh Rezaei’s Fafabiotic in Cary, North Carolina, makes probiotic skincare without chemical preservatives, then donates a portion of revenue to events supporting other female entrepreneurs. That’s what “social impact” means here.

The foundation references the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a conceptual framework, but they’re not asking you to solve world hunger tomorrow. They want to see that your business actively works on one piece of a bigger problem.

What “Social Impact Through Business Model” Really Means

This phrase trips people up. Here’s the difference that matters.

Product-based impact: Your actual offering solves a social or environmental problem. Mobile health clinics. Compostable packaging. Job training programs disguised as service businesses. The thing you sell directly addresses an issue.

Model-based impact: How you run the company creates positive change. Maybe you manufacture in the U.S. to support local economies. Perhaps you employ formerly incarcerated women. Could be you donate 10% of profits to clean water initiatives. The impact comes from your operational choices, not necessarily what you’re selling.

Either works. Both work better. Just be ready to explain it clearly in your application.

Q: Can my business be brand new?
A: No. You need state registration, active operations, and revenue already flowing in.

Q: Does “revenue” mean I have to be profitable?
A: No. Revenue just means you’re selling something and money is coming in, even if expenses exceed income right now.

Q: What if my business is 4 years and 11 months old?
A: You’re eligible. Age is measured from your state registration date, not your first sale or website launch.

Q: Can male co-founders be involved?
A: Yes, but the application must come from a female founder and the business should be led by women.

Q: What credit score do I need?
A: They don’t publish a minimum. You just have to report it honestly. Background check and credit transparency help them assess risk.

How the Reimbursement Model Works

This isn’t a wire transfer into your checking account.

You submit invoices and receipts for business expenses. Think: equipment purchases, marketing campaigns, inventory orders, contractor payments, software subscriptions, booth fees for trade shows. The foundation reviews them. If approved, they reimburse you. This protects both sides. You get capital for real business needs. They ensure funds go toward growth, not personal expenses.

Smart applicants front-load their budgets with already-planned expenses. If you were going to buy that commercial kitchen equipment anyway, submit those quotes in your application. Need to hire a bookkeeper? Include that contractor agreement. The more specific your budget, the faster reimbursements process.

One downside: you need some liquidity to float costs upfront. If $5,000 for new packaging is make-or-break and you’re living paycheck to paycheck, this structure gets trickier. Consider pairing this grant with smaller microgrants that provide unrestricted cash immediately.

The Advisory Circle

Financial advisors who’ve scaled seven-figure companies. Marketing strategists who’ve launched national campaigns on shoestring budgets. Leadership coaches who specialize in founder burnout. Sector experts who know your industry’s pressure points cold.

That’s the Advisory Circle.

Here’s what makes it different from most “mentorship” promises: these aren’t volunteers checking in twice a year. They’re professionals the foundation compensates to provide strategic guidance. You’re not imposing. You’re accessing a resource you earned by winning the grant.

Use them. Most winners underutilize this benefit because they feel weird asking for help. Push past that. The person advising you on cash flow management has seen 50 businesses hit the exact wall you’re facing. The sector expert knows which trade shows actually generate leads and which ones waste money. The marketing strategist can tell you if your Instagram strategy is working or just creating pretty content nobody converts from.

Schedule quarterly calls at minimum. Monthly is better. Bring specific questions. “How do I scale?” is too vague. “I’m choosing between hiring a salesperson or investing in Google Ads – here are my numbers, what would you do?” gets actionable answers.

Timeline and Review Process

Applications close January 31, 2026. Winners get announced in spring 2026. The foundation runs this on a cycle, with application windows opening quarterly (though dates vary). If you miss this deadline, you can apply in the next window – likely opening in May 2026 for fall awards.

Expect the review to be competitive. Boundless Futures receives more applications than available grants. They’re transparent about this. Your job: make your social impact clear and your business case airtight.

Q: How many grants do they award each cycle?
A: Not publicly disclosed. Based on past winner announcements, estimate 5-10 per round.

Q: Can I reapply if I don’t win?
A: Yes. Many winners applied multiple times before getting selected.

Q: Do they give feedback on rejected applications?
A: Not automatically, but you can request it through their contact email.

Her Village Grants: The Nonprofit Side

Boundless Futures Foundation runs a parallel program for 501(c)(3) organizations that support female founders. One Her Village Grant gets awarded annually, typically ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.

In 2025, Kiva received a $100,000 Her Village Grant to fund a social enterprise impact study and provide loans to women-led social impact businesses. Past recipients include Venture North (supporting female business owners in rural northern Michigan), the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago, and the Center for Women and Enterprise in New England.

If you’re reading this and thinking “I should start a nonprofit to apply for Her Village instead,” stop. That’s the wrong move. The application you’re holding right now – for EmpowerHer – is designed for for-profit businesses. Don’t switch business structures to chase a different grant. Build what makes sense for your mission.

Stacking This Grant With Other Funding Sources

Smart founders don’t rely on one funding source. While waiting for EmpowerHer results, apply to:

Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant: $5,000 for women entrepreneurs ready to scale. Applications close faster, awards announced monthly.

Idea Cafe Small Business Grant: $1,000 for women-owned U.S. businesses with a clear growth plan. Free to apply, quick turnaround.

CHASM Monthly Grant: $20,000 for women-led startups. No pitch deck required, just a compelling story about why you’re building.

IFundWomen Universal Grant Application: One application unlocks multiple grant opportunities. Designed specifically for women entrepreneurs.

Don’t see these as either/or choices. Apply to everything you’re eligible for. Different programs have different timing, selection criteria, and award amounts. Diversification increases your odds.

Check Your Eligibility

Before investing hours into a full application, run through this quick eligibility assessment tool. It covers the must-have requirements and helps identify any red flags early.

More Women Entrepreneur Grants and Social Impact Business Funding Opportunities

EmpowerHer Grants represent one avenue for female founders building purpose-driven companies. The landscape includes dozens of additional programs targeting women entrepreneurs, social enterprises, sustainability-focused businesses, and community development initiatives.

1. Fund Her Future Grant 2025: $100,000 for Women-Owned Businesses: Block Advisors by H&R Block partners with Hello Alice to distribute $100,000 across six women-owned businesses, with one grand prize winner receiving $50,000 and five others getting $10,000 each, plus a year of professional business services valued at nearly $30,000.
   – Donor: Block Advisors by H&R Block, Hello Alice
   – Focus: women entrepreneurs, business growth, tax preparation support, bookkeeping services
   – Deadline: Check website for current cycle dates
2. Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant: $5K for Women Entrepreneurs: Community-funded $5,000 grants for women business owners at breakthrough moments, whether launching, scaling, or pivoting. The program connects recipients with Power Agenda women supporter network for ongoing mentorship.
   – Donor: Her Agenda, community contributors
   – Focus: female founders, business breakthrough moments, community support
   – Deadline: Varies by cycle, typically quarterly
3. CHASM Monthly Grant: $20,000 for Women-Led Startups: Monthly $20,000 grants for women founders from CHASM’s community of high-profile members who pool resources to fund entrepreneurs facing traditional funding barriers. No pitch deck required, just clear articulation of your vision.
   – Donor: CHASM (Daniella Pierson & Community Funders)
   – Focus: women-led startups, early to mid-stage businesses, equity-free funding
   – Deadline: Monthly rolling deadlines
4. Amber Grants by WomensNet: Monthly $10,000 grants for women entrepreneurs plus an annual $25,000 award. Founded to honor Amber Wigdahl who passed at 19 before realizing her business dreams. Now supports both for-profit businesses and female-led nonprofits.
   – Donor: WomensNet
   – Focus: women empowerment, female entrepreneurship, startup funding
   – Deadline: Monthly (note: $15 application fee)
5. Idea Cafe Grant: $1,000 for Women-Owned Small Businesses: Simple, fee-free $1,000 grants for U.S.-based women entrepreneurs with concrete business plans. Three finalists receive $500-$1,500 in advertising credits. Perfect for micro-businesses needing quick capital injection.
   – Donor: Idea Cafe (Business Owners’ Idea Cafe)
   – Focus: women entrepreneurs, micro-grants, small business launch, marketing
   – Deadline: Quarterly review cycles
6. Galaxy of Stars Grant: $2,500 for Women & Minority Entrepreneurs: Free 30-second application for $2,500 grants to women or minority-owned businesses (51%+ ownership). No LLC required, pre-launch ideas welcome. Results announced one week after deadline.
   – Donor: Galaxy of Stars, Hidden Star 501(c)(3)
   – Focus: women entrepreneurs, minority-owned businesses, microgrants, free application
   – Deadline: November 30, 2025
7. IFundWomen Universal Grant Application: Streamlined platform allowing one application to access multiple grant opportunities. Designed to simplify funding access for women-owned startups, small businesses, and projects across various funding partners.
   – Donor: IFundWomen and various funding partners
   – Focus: women-owned startups, small businesses, flexible grant access
   – Deadline: Ongoing, varies by specific grant opportunity
8. Grants for For-Profit Businesses: Comprehensive collection of funding opportunities for revenue-generating companies including social enterprises, sustainable businesses, and community-focused ventures. Many specifically target women founders.
   – Donor: Various
   – Focus: for-profit businesses, social impact companies, revenue-generating ventures
   – Deadline: Varies for each grant in the category
9. Nehemiah Davis Greatness Grant: $2,500 for First-Time Founders: Quarterly $2,500 grants plus 90 days of personal mentorship for beginning entrepreneurs. Created by someone who started by selling water bottles on Philadelphia streets. Values grit over polish.
   – Donor: Nehemiah Davis
   – Focus: startup funding, early-stage entrepreneurs, mentorship, first-time founders
   – Deadline: Quarterly cycles throughout 2026
10. ZenBusiness Grant Program: $5,000 Small Business Grants: Available to ZenBusiness customers who used formation services within last 3-6 months. Includes 30 days free access to ZenBusiness Money Pro and Banking services alongside $5,000 funding.
    – Donor: ZenBusiness
    – Focus: small business funding, entrepreneurship, business growth, community impact
    – Deadline: January 1, 2026 (new cycles announced on website)
11. Black History Makers Grant: $5,000 for Black Entrepreneurs: Citi Trends celebrates Black History Month by funding Black-owned businesses demonstrating exceptional community impact and growth potential. Addresses capital access barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs.
    – Donor: Citi Trends
    – Focus: Black entrepreneurship, community development, economic empowerment
    – Deadline: Typically February (Black History Month)
12. Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant: $2,500 for Small Businesses: Quarterly non-dilutive funding for established U.S. small businesses (2+ years operation, $50,000+ revenue). Includes Digital Business Growth Planner and Prep My Loan Planner tools.
    – Donor: Integrality, The UPS Foundation, The Dallas College Foundation, Wells Fargo
    – Focus: small business support, operational expenses, growth capital, financial stability
    – Deadline: Quarterly review cycles
13. Prose Emerging Entrepreneurs Grant: $10,000 for AANHPI Founders: Cash grants for Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander entrepreneurs in beauty, wellness, or consumer goods sectors. No mandatory posts or SKU commitments, just authentic storytelling.
    – Donor: Prose, in partnership with Ellis Brooklyn
    – Focus: AANHPI entrepreneurs, emerging brands, beauty & wellness, consumer goods
    – Deadline: Check website for current application window
14. Secretsos Small Business Grant: $2,500 for Underserved Entrepreneurs: Quarterly grants targeting entrepreneurs sidelined by traditional funding sources. Complete spending flexibility, no business plan required. Excludes Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, New York, Rhode Island.
    – Donor: Secretsos Foundation
    – Focus: underserved entrepreneurs, business grants USA, minority founders
    – Deadline: Quarterly (Q2 2025 deadline June 30)
15. Stan’s Dare To Dream Challenge: $120,000 Business Grant: Grand prize winner receives $120,000 covering living expenses for entire year plus lifetime Stan Pro access and one-on-one mentorship with successful Stan Creators. Allows full focus on business building.
    – Donor: Stan (Find Community, Inc.)
    – Focus: entrepreneurship, business dreams, financial security, mentorship
    – Deadline: Check website for 2026 dates
16. Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge: $50,000 in Sustainability Grants: Two $25,000 awards for green chemistry projects addressing climate change in developing regions while advancing gender equality. International recognition at Elsevier conferences.
    – Donor: Elsevier Foundation
    – Focus: sustainability grants, green chemistry, climate action, gender equality
    – Deadline: Check website for 2026 application window
17. Thrive – Breva Company Grant: $5,000 Quarterly for Community Impact: Unrestricted funding for small businesses demonstrating measurable community impact in underrepresented neighborhoods through job creation, innovation, or service accessibility.
    – Donor: Breva, Cadence Financial Group, Inc.
    – Focus: community impact, small business growth, underrepresented communities, economic development
    – Deadline: Quarterly (Q1: Jan 31, Q2: Apr 30, Q3: July 31, Q4: Oct 31)
18. Honeycomb Credit Breakthrough Grant: $10,000 for Small Business Growth: Non-repayable funding for established small businesses planning significant growth initiatives like opening second locations, purchasing equipment, or franchising.
    – Donor: Honeycomb Credit
    – Focus: small business growth, business expansion, equipment purchase, franchising
    – Deadline: Check website for current cycle
19. Big Idea Grant for Women Entrepreneurs: $1,000 Monthly: Monthly grants for women entrepreneurs or small business owners aged 18+, whether business is started or still in idea stage. Includes year-long membership to wealth mindset coaching group.
    – Donor: YippityDoo
    – Focus: entrepreneurship, women-owned businesses, startup support, business development
    – Deadline: Monthly application cycles
20. She’s Connected by AT&T: $50,000 Grant for Small Business: Grand prize includes $50,000 cash, feature content piece with AT&T athlete, one year AT&T service with new device, and mentorship opportunities. Four runners-up receive $5,000 each.
    – Donor: AT&T Services, Inc.
    – Focus: small business, entrepreneurship, women-led business, community development
    – Deadline: Check website for current contest dates

Terms

Understanding grant-specific and business terminology helps you navigate the EmpowerHer application process effectively and positions your business correctly within the social entrepreneurship landscape.

• Social Impact Business: A for-profit company whose core operations intentionally address societal or environmental problems while generating revenue. The impact isn’t a side project or charitable add-on but fundamental to the business model. Examples include employing marginalized populations, solving environmental challenges through products, or providing essential services to underserved communities.
• Reimbursement Grant: Funding distributed after expenses are incurred and documented rather than upfront. Recipients pay business costs first, submit proof of payment (invoices, receipts, contracts), then receive reimbursement from the grantor. This structure ensures funds support actual business operations rather than personal expenses.
• Advisory Circle: The network of compensated professionals Boundless Futures Foundation provides to EmpowerHer grantees, including financial advisors, marketing strategists, leadership coaches, and sector-specific experts. These advisors offer strategic guidance on business focus, operational decisions, and long-range planning throughout the grant term.
• Business Age (For Grant Purposes): Calculated from the date of state registration or incorporation, not from first sale, website launch, or business idea conception. A company registered with the state in February 2021 is considered 5 years old in February 2026 regardless of when revenue started flowing.
• Revenue-Generating Business: A company actively selling products or services and receiving payment from customers. Revenue doesn’t require profitability (expenses can exceed income) but demonstrates market validation and operational business activity beyond planning stages.
• For-Profit Entity: A business legally structured to distribute profits to owners, typically as LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, or partnership. Distinct from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that cannot distribute profits to individuals and maintain tax-exempt status.
• State Registration: Official documentation with a state government establishing a business as a legal entity. Includes LLC formation documents, articles of incorporation for corporations, or DBA (doing business as) filings for sole proprietorships. Provides legal protection and tax structure.
• Social Enterprise: Broader term encompassing both nonprofits and for-profits that prioritize social or environmental missions alongside (or instead of) profit maximization. EmpowerHer specifically targets the for-profit subset of social enterprises.
• Third-Party Background Check: Independent verification process conducted by specialized companies to review applicant’s criminal history, credit patterns, legal judgments, and business-related public records. Standard practice for grant programs to assess risk and ensure compliance with funding regulations.
• Self-Reported Credit Score: Credit score number provided by applicant without hard credit pull or formal verification at application stage. Honors system requiring honest disclosure of current credit standing, typically verified if grant is awarded.
• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Framework of 17 interconnected objectives established by United Nations in 2015 addressing global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. Many social impact grants reference SDGs as conceptual benchmarks for measuring impact.
• Early-Stage Business: Company past the idea/planning phase with active operations and revenue but still in growth mode, typically within first 1-5 years of operation. Characterized by establishing market presence, refining business model, and building customer base.
• Business Model: The strategic framework describing how a company creates, delivers, and captures value. Includes revenue streams, target customers, key activities, resources, partnerships, cost structure, and value proposition. Grant applications require clear articulation of how social impact integrates with business model.
• Impact Metrics: Quantifiable measurements demonstrating a business’s social or environmental effect. Examples include: pounds of waste diverted from landfills, number of people employed from marginalized populations, reduction in carbon emissions, individuals served in underserved communities. Specific numbers strengthen grant applications more than vague claims.
• Her Village Grant: Separate Boundless Futures Foundation program funding 501(c)(3) nonprofits that support female entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, financing, or mission-aligned programming. Annual awards range $25,000-$100,000. Distinct from EmpowerHer Grants for for-profit businesses.
• Rolling Application: Grant programs accepting submissions continuously throughout the year rather than single deadline. EmpowerHer operates on quarterly cycles with specific deadlines, but the foundation considers this “rolling” because new windows open regularly versus one annual deadline.
• Non-Dilutive Funding: Capital that doesn’t require giving up equity ownership in your business. Grants are non-dilutive; venture capital and angel investments are dilutive (require ownership exchange). Founders maintain full control of their company with grant funding.
• Women-Owned Business: Company where women own 51% or more of the ownership interest and maintain operational control of daily management and strategic decisions. Some programs require women CEO or majority women leadership team.
• Sustainability (Business Context): Practices minimizing environmental impact through reduced resource consumption, waste reduction, renewable energy use, circular economy principles, or regenerative practices. EmpowerHer eligible businesses might focus on sustainable products, sustainable operations, or both.
• Community Development: Business activities strengthening local communities through job creation, skill building, access to services, economic revitalization, or addressing systemic barriers faced by community members. Impact typically measured through local employment numbers, community reinvestment, or services provided to underserved populations.
• Poverty Alleviation: Business strategies directly reducing poverty through living-wage job creation, affordable essential services, financial inclusion programs, or economic opportunity expansion for low-income populations. Distinct from charity; focuses on sustainable economic solutions.
• Business Plan (Grant Context): Comprehensive document outlining business overview, market analysis, competitive landscape, operational strategy, financial projections, team qualifications, and social impact goals. Grant applications require plans demonstrating viability, sustainability, and clear path to achieving stated impact.
• Detailed Budget: Line-item breakdown of exactly how grant funds will be spent, typically including vendor quotes, contractor agreements, pricing sheets, and specific cost justifications. Vague categories (like “general operations”) weaken applications; specific expenses (like “Square payment processing system: $1,299”) strengthen them.
• Competitive Review Process: Selection method where applications are evaluated relative to each other rather than absolute standards. Limited grant slots mean stronger applications win over weaker ones even if weaker ones technically meet eligibility requirements.
• Female Founder: Woman who established, co-founded, or holds significant ownership and leadership role in a business. EmpowerHer accepts applications from female founders even with male co-founders, provided women maintain substantial control and leadership.

Author

I started Grantaura because I kept watching brilliant people with world-changing ideas get rejected by funding systems designed for a different era. The application processes were Byzantine. The eligibility requirements contradictory. The success rates invisible. Female founders building social impact businesses hit these walls harder than anyone – fighting both the gender funding gap and the misconception that purpose-driven companies can’t scale profitably.

EmpowerHer Grants represent what happens when funders actually understand this space: they fund the business model, not just the mission statement. They provide advisors who’ve navigated the exact challenges you’re facing. They structure support for growth, not just survival. Over 300 projects later, I’ve learned that the best funding opportunities aren’t the ones with the biggest checks but the ones with the clearest alignment between what you’re building and what they’re trying to accomplish in the world. If you’re a female founder building a business that makes things better while making money, this grant was designed for exactly that intersection.

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