Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant: $5K Grants for Women Entrepreneurs to Scale Up Their Small Businesses
- Deadline : September 17, 2025
- Businesses, Women
Five Black female entrepreneurs in Canada will receive $10K CAD plus 6 months mentorship. Beauty & wellness sectors. Apply now for 2025.
Donor: SheaMoisture Canada, The Diversity Agency
About: The SheaMoisture Dream Fund represents more than just another grant program – it’s a deliberate commitment to changing the entrepreneurial landscape for Black women in Canada. This annual initiative awards five $10,000 CAD grants to Black female-identifying entrepreneurs, backed by personalized mentoring and business coaching.
But let’s be blunt about something: this program didn’t emerge from thin air. It evolved from SheaMoisture Canada’s 2021 Salon Relief Fund, which supported female business owners during pandemic lockdown. The brand recognized that one-time crisis relief wasn’t enough – Black women entrepreneurs needed sustained support to build generational wealth.
Beyond the $10,000 funding, recipients gain access to six months of personalized coaching, mentoring, and ongoing support from reputable Canadian Black business professionals. That’s not the usual “here’s your check, good luck” approach most grant programs take.
The partnership with The Diversity Agency isn’t just for show either. Participants appear before a panel of judges through this partnership, with top talent brought to the judging table – people who actually understand the unique challenges facing Black women entrepreneurs in Canada’s beauty and wellness sectors.
This isn’t exclusive to salon establishments. SheaMoisture Canada has opened applications to Black female entrepreneurs across specific beauty and wellness categories. Think beyond just hair salons – this includes skincare innovators, wellness coaches, natural product creators, and beauty service providers who are building something meaningful in their communities.
What they’re really looking for are businesses that aren’t just surviving but actively working to uplift their communities. Applications require detailing what makes your business unique and how you’re situated to support growth in Black communities. That community impact component isn’t just nice-to-have language – it’s central to their selection criteria.
Here’s what most applicants get wrong: they focus solely on their business metrics and forget the community angle. Applications comprise both written and video components describing the unique aspects of their businesses, but the winning applications connect business success to community empowerment.
The video component isn’t about production value – it’s about authenticity. They want to see the person behind the business plan, the passion driving the venture, and the clear vision for community impact.
While specific deadlines vary annually, applications typically open in spring with submissions due by late May or early June. Applications for 2025 opened in July, showing some flexibility in their timing. The key is staying connected to their announcements rather than waiting for the last minute.
Winners are typically announced mid-summer, giving recipients time to implement their plans before year-end. The six-month mentorship period usually runs from announcement through early the following year.
Similar to other diversity-focused grants like the Galaxy Grant, this program recognizes that underrepresented entrepreneurs need more than just money – they need connections, guidance, and ongoing support.
The program has already supported numerous Black women entrepreneurs across Canada. Previous winners demonstrate the impact of combining financial support with strategic mentorship. These aren’t just feel-good stories – they’re proof of concept for how targeted support can accelerate business growth in underserved communities.
If you’re thinking about applying, understand this: SheaMoisture isn’t just looking for the most polished business. They’re looking for authentic entrepreneurs who understand their role in community building. Like other mission-driven grants such as EmpowHer, they prioritize impact over perfection.
The mentorship component often proves more valuable than the funding itself. Previous recipients consistently highlight how the coaching and connections opened doors that money alone couldn’t.
Think of this application as a conversation rather than a performance. They want to understand your vision, your community connection, and your readiness to scale with support. Similar women-focused programs like The Big Idea Grant show how consistent support can transform entrepreneurial trajectories.
The reality is that putting together a compelling application for a program this competitive takes serious effort and strategic thinking. If you’re serious about this opportunity and want expert guidance on crafting an application that stands out, that’s exactly what we help with at Grantaura. CLICK HERE to get professional grant proposal writing help that could make all the difference between submitting and winning.
Focus: Black women entrepreneurs, beauty industry, wellness sector, community impact, business development, entrepreneurship, Canada
Region: Canada, Canadian provinces, territories
Eligibility:
– Black female-identifying entrepreneur
– Founder or holder of at least 51% ownership in a legally registered Canadian business
– Business operates in Beauty and/or Wellbeing sectors
– Registered and based in Canada
– In operation for specified minimum period (varies annually)
Benefits:
– Financial Award: $10,000 CAD grant
– Mentorship: Six months of personalized coaching from Canadian Black business professionals
– Network Access: Connection to The Diversity Agency network and SheaMoisture community
– Business Development: Ongoing support and strategic guidance
Deadline: Ongoing
Terms:
– Beauty and Wellbeing Sectors: Includes but not limited to hair care, skincare, cosmetics, wellness services, natural health products, spa services, and related beauty/wellness businesses
– Black Female-Identifying: Applicant must identify as a Black woman and be the primary business owner
– Canadian Registration: Business must be legally registered and operating within Canada
– Community Impact: Applications must demonstrate how the business supports or plans to support Black community growth and development
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