The Amber Grant is one of the most recognized business grants for women entrepreneurs in the United States. Since its launch, it has helped fund thousands of women-owned businesses through monthly and annual grant awards.
If you’re thinking about applying, it’s important to understand more than just the funding amounts. Knowing who qualifies, how the selection process works, and what reviewers want to see can improve your chances and help you avoid common mistakes.
What Is the Amber Grant?
The Amber Grant is a business funding program created by WomensNet, an organization that has supported women entrepreneurs since 1998.
The grant was established in memory of Amber Wigdahl, a young woman who dreamed of starting her own business but passed away at the age of 19 before she had the chance to pursue those goals. WomensNet created the program to help other women access funding and move their business ideas forward.
Today, the Amber Grant has grown into one of the most well-known grant programs for female entrepreneurs. Unlike many funding opportunities that focus only on established companies, the Amber Grant welcomes businesses at different stages of growth, including startups and newer ventures.
One reason the program attracts so much attention is its relatively straightforward application process. Applicants are not required to submit lengthy business plans or investor-style presentations. Instead, the focus is on understanding the business, the entrepreneur behind it, and how the funding could make a meaningful difference.
Related Post: Small Business Grant Eligibility: Do You Qualify in 2026?
How the Amber Grant Works
Monthly Grants
The Amber Grant operates on a monthly funding cycle.
Each month, WomensNet awards three separate grants worth $10,000 each:
General Business Grant
This is the flagship monthly award and is open to women-owned businesses across a wide range of industries. Businesses do not need to meet a specific industry requirement to be considered.
Startup Grant
The Startup Grant is designed for newer businesses and entrepreneurs who are still in the early stages of building their companies. If you’re working to turn an idea into a sustainable business or you’re still gaining traction, this category may be particularly relevant.
Business-Specific Grant
Each month, WomensNet highlights a specific business category. The featured category changes throughout the year and may focus on industries such as health and wellness, food businesses, nonprofits, e-commerce businesses, creative ventures, and others.
Applicants don’t need to complete separate applications for each monthly grant. A single application allows the review team to determine where your business is the best fit.
Annual Amber Grant Awards
In addition to the monthly awards, WomensNet also awards three year-end grants worth $50,000 each. These larger awards are reserved for businesses that have already won one of the monthly grants during the year. In other words, businesses cannot apply directly for the $50,000 grants. To become eligible, you must first be selected as a monthly grant winner.
This gives monthly recipients another opportunity to secure funding and provides additional support for businesses that continue to demonstrate growth and potential.
Who Is Eligible for the Amber Grant?
According to WomensNet, applicants generally must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Own at least 50% of the business
- Operate a business based in the United States
- Complete the online application and pay the application fee
The Amber Grant is open to a wide variety of businesses. And unlike some grants that require years of operating history or significant revenue, the Amber Grant welcomes women who are still building and growing their businesses. It’s a great option for anyone looking for business grants for women with no revenue.
How to Apply for the Amber Grant
The application process is completed online through the WomensNet website. Applicants are asked to provide information about:
- Their business
- Their goals
- Their background
- How the funding would be used. Learn how to explain the ‘use of funds’ in business grant applications.
The application is intentionally shorter than many traditional grant applications, but that doesn’t mean you should rush through it. The quality of your responses matters. Reviewers want to understand what your business does, why it exists, and how receiving funding would help move it forward.
After submitting your application, it enters the review process for that month’s grant cycle.
Can You Apply More Than Once?
Yes. One of the most common questions applicants ask is whether they can reapply if they aren’t selected. Applicants may submit another application in future grant cycles. In fact, many winners were not selected the first time they applied. However, WomensNet advises entrepreneurs to reapply when something meaningful has changed in their business. This could include:
- Launching a new product
- Reaching a revenue milestone
- Expanding into a new market
- Clarifying how the funding would be used
- Achieving other significant business progress
Submitting the exact same application repeatedly is unlikely to improve your results. Instead, use each application as an opportunity to tell an updated version of your business story.
What Reviewers Look For
Many entrepreneurs assume they need a perfect business plan or impressive financial projections to win a grant. Reviewers want to know
- What problem your business solves
- Who your customers are
- Why you started the business
- Where the business is headed
- What the funding would help you accomplish
Clear answers usually perform better than complicated ones. For example, instead of saying the grant will help “scale operations and increase market penetration,” explain exactly what you plan to do. Maybe you’ll purchase equipment, build inventory, improve your website, or launch a marketing campaign. The easier it is for reviewers to understand your goals, the easier it is for them to see the value of funding your business.
Related Post: 11 Business Grant Proposal Mistakes No One Warns You About (& What to Do Instead)
Tips for Writing a Better Amber Grant Application
- Be specific about how you’ll use the funding.
- Explain your business in language anyone can understand.
- Focus on the impact the grant would have on your business.
- Share real progress you’ve already made, even if it’s small.
- Avoid jargon and buzzwords.
- Answer every question honestly and directly.
- Show why your business matters to your customers or community.
- Update your application if your business has changed since a previous submission.
Many applicants make the mistake of focusing only on the business itself. Reviewers also want to understand the person behind the business and what motivates them to keep going.
Related Post: 12 Best Small Business Grants for Women in New York State (2026 Guide)
Is the Amber Grant Worth Applying For?
For many women entrepreneurs, the answer is yes. The application process is more approachable than many traditional grants, and the program accepts businesses from a wide range of industries and growth stages.
The recurring monthly structure also means you don’t have to wait an entire year for another opportunity if you aren’t selected.
While competition is significant, the Amber Grant remains one of the few funding programs specifically focused on supporting women-owned businesses throughout the year.
Conclusion
The Amber Grant continues to be one of the most recognizable funding opportunities available to women entrepreneurs in the United States. With monthly grants, year-end awards, and a process that is more accessible than many traditional funding programs, it offers business owners a chance to secure capital without taking on debt or giving up equity.
If you’re considering applying, take the time to tell your story clearly, explain how the funding would help your business grow, and highlight the progress you’ve already made. A thoughtful application can go a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a formal business plan to apply?
No. WomensNet does not require applicants to submit a traditional business plan. The application focuses on helping reviewers understand your business, your goals, and how funding would help. That said, having a clear vision for your business can make your responses more compelling and easier for reviewers to evaluate.
How much does it cost to apply?
The Amber Grant application includes a fee, which helps support the administration of the program and the grant funding itself. Applicants should check the official WomensNet website for the most current fee amount, as grant programs can update their pricing and policies over time.
Can nonprofit organizations apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations may apply for consideration. Like for-profit businesses, nonprofits should explain their mission, the impact of their work, and how grant funding would help them achieve their goals.
How are winners selected?
Applications are reviewed by the WomensNet team, which evaluates factors such as the business idea, the entrepreneur’s story, business goals, and the intended use of funds. There is no public scoring system, but clear, thoughtful, and honest applications tend to align with the guidance shared by WomensNet.
What happens after I submit my application?
Once your application is submitted, it enters the review process for that month’s grant cycle. If selected, you may be contacted by WomensNet regarding next steps. Monthly winners are announced publicly, and those winners become eligible for the larger year-end grant awards.
Can I apply if my business is still new?
Yes. The Amber Grant welcomes startups and early-stage businesses. In fact, WomensNet offers a dedicated Startup Grant each month. You do not need years of operating history to apply, but you should be able to explain your business idea and goals clearly.
