The Breakthrough Grant

Grant Overview

This Her Agenda’s $5,000 grant isn’t a corporate check. I’ll be honest when I first dug into the Breakthrough Grant, I assumed it was. Turns out I was wrong. Rhonesha Byng, the founder of Her Agenda, spent years pitching brands. Got nowhere. So she turned to her community. Forty-eight individual donors wrote checks. Media executives like Karen Civil. Authors like Rachel Sklar. Even a retired Major General. That’s the pool this money comes from. It’s for a specific “breakthrough” moment like launching a product, hiring a key person, entering a new market not just keeping the lights on. And here’s a detail I like: 100% of the entry fees go straight back into the funding pool for the winner. Volume II is open right now.

Volume III of this program is active right now, awarding $5,000 in unrestricted capital to a woman founder who can articulate a specific growth breakthrough in a strict 500-word impact statement. I found that the first volume attracted 203 applications, funded entirely by this community model, with supporters ranging from media executives to retired Army generals. You are not asking a faceless foundation for help; you are asking peers who have put their own money into the pot. Check your subscription first. Confirm your basic eligibility quickly and then prepare a tight one-page snapshot and a 60-second pitch that shows a clear next-step you will fund.

Key Grant Information

Active

82 days left

01

The Breakthrough Grant

Funded by Her Agenda

02

Grant Snapshot

Grant Award

$5,000

Application Deadline

September 17, 2026 82 days left

Eligible Region

United States

03

Eligibility and Benefits

Eligibility Criteria

• Woman entrepreneur
• Operating business
• Subscribed to Her Agenda newsletter
• U.S. based / 1-year rule (unconfirmed – see notes)

Grant Benefits

• $5000
• Community‑funded by 48 individual donors
• Low $25 application fee ($12.50 for INSIDER members)
• Free reapplication for Volume I applicants

04

Focus Areas

Grants for women entrepreneurs Women-owned business grants Her Agenda grant

Run your details through the Grantaura eligibility checker first. It tests the rules we know for sure.

If you’re eligible, the smartest next step is to start full application submission with us. If you’re unsure – maybe about that unconfirmed U.S. rule schedule a free consultation and we’ll sort it out. If you don’t qualify, skip down to the More Grants section for other options.

What You Could Win and What It Costs

The award is $5,000. Straight cash. No repayment. The application fee is $25 half that if you’re an INSIDER member. If you applied in Volume I and didn’t win, it’s free (they emailed you a code). The fee was $50 in Volume I. Dropping it to $25 for Volume II was a deliberate move to lower the barrier. And again, every dollar of those fees funds the winner.

Judging finishes February 18, 2026, and the winner is announced in March. So you’ve got time to craft something strong.

Who Really Decides the Winner?

I dug into the supporter list. The names are public: Karen Civil (media entrepreneur), Yanely Espinal (financial educator), Rachel Sklar (writer and founder of TheLi.st), Mari Eder (Major General, Ret.). These aren’t anonymous corporate types. They’re people who’ve built careers on visibility, financial literacy, and authentic storytelling. That’s a huge clue.

And it’s not just donors. Volume I used a panel of 64 volunteer judges CEOs like Lauren Maillian of LMB Group and founders like Tina Wells of Wellspring. They scored applications on business clarity, potential impact, and mission alignment. Knowing that your story might be read by Lauren Maillian changes how you write it, doesn’t it?

It worked for Ugenia Stokes of FWIN Productions. She won Volume I and used the cash to scale her film work. Real proof the model works.

Application Friction: What You Need to Prepare

The application lives on a Typeform. You’ll answer questions and have space for an impact statement. From what I’ve pieced together, here’s the real checklist:

• The Narrative: You must define your specific “breakthrough moment.” How will this $5,000 create a tangible shift?
• The 500-Word Statement: This is your core pitch. Clarity, impact, and alignment with Her Agenda’s mission are the weights.
• The Email Match: This is a hidden trap. The email you apply with MUST match your newsletter subscription email. Mismatch = disqualification.
• Optional (but smart) Materials: A 1-minute smartphone video (raw, not polished) and a one-page business summary PDF.
• Post-Award Prep: If you win, you’ll need a W-9. Have it ready to speed up the ACH or check disbursement (usually within 30 days).

Most applicants nail the idea but lose on the “breakthrough” framing. Don’t be most applicants.

How We Help You Win: Narrative Engineering

That friction point—defining your breakthrough is where we step in. We call it narrative engineering. We help you:

• Isolate the specific pivot point the judges are looking for.
• Align your story with the four judging weights (clarity, impact, mission, readiness).
• Tighten your optional one-pager and give feedback on your 60-second video script.

We don’t just check boxes. We position you to win. If the idea of writing a 500-word statement that impresses Lauren Maillian feels daunting, Start Full Application Submission and we’ll get to work.

Need to talk it through first? Book a 1-on-1 consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to be a U.S. business? And do I need to be in business for a year?
A: Officially? Not stated in the Volume II announcement. Some sources say yes, but I’m flagging those as unconfirmed. Until I hear back from Her Agenda directly, I’d assume they’re probably truebut don’t let them stop you from preparing. Our eligibility checker lets you see both scenarios. If you’re unsure, book a free consult.

Q: Is the application fee refundable if I don’t win?
A: No. The $25 fee (or $12.50 for INSIDERS) is non-refundable. It goes directly into the funding pool for the winner.

Q: What are my actual chances?
A: Volume I received 203 applications. One winner takes all. The odds are similar to a competitive accelerator. Your best bet is to nail that “breakthrough” narrative. If you’re unsure how, start full application submission with us and we’ll help refine your pitch.

Q: Can I spend the money on anything?
A: Yes, it’s unrestricted. Marketing, product development, legal fees, equipment—whatever fuels your breakthrough moment. They may ask for a post-award update, but no strict receipts.

Q: Can Grantaura submit the application for me?
A: Yes. Once you start your application with us, we handle the entire submission process through the donor’s portal. You provide the raw material and feedback; we do the rest.

Key Terms for This Grant

Newsletter Gate – An active Her Agenda newsletter subscription is mandatory to apply.

Breakthrough Moment – The specific inflection point where $5,000 creates a tangible shift. The core of your narrative.

Readiness Score – A judging weight that checks how prepared your next growth step feels.

Typeform Portal – The donor’s live application form provider.

W-9 – A tax form the winner provides before payout.

One-Pager – An optional but recommended concise business summary (PDF).

More Grants for Women Founders

If this one isn’t the right fit or you want to keep your options open browse other grants for women‑owned businesses. We update them daily.

You might also look at the Amber Grant ($10K monthly), the Hey Helen Microgrant ($5K), the Freed Fellowship ($500 monthly), or the Breva Thrive Grant ($5K quarterly).

About the Author

I built Grantaura to cut through the noise. I spend my time digging into the hidden rules of opportunities like this so you don’t have to. My goal is to help you stop guessing and start winning. If you want to discuss your strategy, you can find me on my author page or book a call.