Florida offers women entrepreneurs a dynamic business environment, but securing non-repayable funding requires knowing where to look. While the state does not operate many women-specific statewide grants, several city and county programs provide direct funding to small businesses, including female-led enterprises. In addition, nationally recognized women-focused grant programs and corporate funding competitions are accessible to Florida-based small businesses. Here are 10 small business grants for women in Florida.
Miami-Dade County Mom and Pop Small Business Grant
This long-running county program provides competitive grants to small businesses operating within designated Miami-Dade districts. Award amounts typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on district funding availability. Eligible applicants must meet local residency and business size requirements. Funds may be used for equipment, marketing, inventory, supplies, security systems, and making minor renovations. Applications are submitted through district commissioners during open funding cycles, which vary by location and budget allocations.
Note: Local grant programs often receive fewer applications than national competitions, which can improve your chances of securing funding if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Business Assistance Program (BAP), Orlando
Administered by the Economic Development Department, the Business Assistance Program is a matching funding program committed to supporting new and existing businesses. The program’s purpose is to help qualified enterprises cover the upfront development and infrastructure costs. Eligible businesses pay 50% of the total costs as the program covers the rest, which is a maximum of $20,000. You can use the funds for operations, like street lighting, sewer line construction, sidewalk repairs, and landscaping. Both Orlando-based women-owned businesses and those planning to relocate to the city are allowed to apply.
Florida High Tech Corridor Matching Grants Research Program
Florida High Tech Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program supports innovation-driven businesses through matched research funding. So, if you have a high-tech company, consider applying. Applicants must partner with approved academic researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of South Florida (USF). Funds are designed for product development, feasibility studies, prototype testing, and commercialization research. If your application is successful, the university research team you’re partnered with receives up to $150,000.
Related post: 12 Best Business Grants for Black Women
Select Florida Trade Grants
Are you in the export business? You may qualify for free business grants in Florida with SelectFlorida, which helps enterprises access trade grants to venture into exports or expand into new overseas markets through its Florida Export Diversification & Expansion program. To qualify for these grants:
- Your business must be a Florida-based, registered corporation with the Florida Division of Corporations.
- You must have been in business for at least 2 years.
- You must be licensed and have an office, warehouse, or manufacturing facility. You are eligible to apply if you operate through a coworking space. Unfortunately, virtual offices and home-based businesses are not eligible.
- Your annual sales should be at least $250,000.
- You must be a Florida-based manufacturing producer within the state, a service provider within Florida in an approved target sector, or a representative of a manufacturer with products made within the state.
- Have at least three full-time employees
To apply for funding, review the available grant programs, check your eligibility, and reach out to your local trade manager.
weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant
The weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant supports the growth and sustainability of established women-owned businesses in Brevard, Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. Eligible businesses must be at least 51 percent woman-owned, have generated revenue for at least two years, and be active clients of the weVENTURE Women’s Business Center. Selected businesses receive microgrants funded through community donors and fundraising initiatives, helping them overcome barriers to accessing capital.
Beyond funding, recipients gain visibility and access to weVENTURE’s broader support network.
Tip: If you operate in one of the eligible counties, connect with weVENTURE before the grant opens. Becoming a client early can position you to apply when funding cycles are announced.
Broward County Small Business Micro Grant Program
The Broward County Small Business Micro Grant Program provides reimbursement grants to eligible small businesses with annual revenues of one million dollars or less. Businesses can receive funding for qualifying expenses such as inventory, equipment, rent, marketing, and operational costs incurred within the approved period.
Funding amounts vary by cycle, with newer applicants receiving higher awards than returning recipients. Although the program is not women specific, female entrepreneurs in Broward County can benefit from one of the few active county-level grant opportunities in Florida.
Note: A clear and realistic spending plan can often set your application apart. Review our guide on how to explain use of funds in business grant applications to avoid common mistakes.
Florida Women’s Business Center IMPACT Opportunities
While these centers primarily provide coaching and education, some periodically administer grant programs and pitch competitions available only to their clients. Services include grant readiness support, business planning assistance, and mentorship designed to improve entrepreneurs’ chances of securing funding.
Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDG) Network
Through the FSBDG Network, you can access small business grants for women in Florida. It administers the STEP Grant, an SBA-backed funding program that supports founders in exporting or exploring the global market. The program reimburses you for expenses incurred for trade shows, travel, marketing, product sample shipments, and export credit insurance. You can access various funding opportunities beyond STEP through FSBDG’s expert consultancy services.
BMO Celebrating Women
If you are seeking free funding for a small business in Florida, consider the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program, which awards $10,000 to qualified founders. It operates within 24 states, and the Sunshine State is one of them. To qualify for support, you must have been in business for at least two years and have an annual revenue not exceeding $ million.
Amber Grant for Women
The Amber Grant awards three $10,000 grants each month, plus an additional $50,000 Year-End grant to women-owned businesses across the United States, including Florida. Applicants submit an online application describing their business vision and plans for funding use. There are no industry restrictions. Funds may support marketing, operations, hiring, equipment, or startup costs. Winners are selected monthly, making this one of the most accessible business grant programs for women available.
Tip: Before applying, read our guide on how to turn your business story into a fundable narrative. Many judges want to understand the person behind the business, not just the numbers.
Related post: Amber Grant for Women: Eligibility, Funding, and How to Apply
IFundWomen Grant Opportunities
IFundWomen partners with corporate sponsors to distribute free grants to women entrepreneurs nationwide. Award amounts vary by sponsoring organization and can range from $5,000 to $25,000 or more. Florida founders are eligible to apply during open funding rounds. Many programs prioritize innovation, underrepresented founders, or specific industries. In addition to financial awards, recipients may receive coaching, mentorship, and crowdfunding support, strengthening long-term business sustainability.
Tip: Grants do not have to be your only source of funding. Many entrepreneurs use crowdfunding to validate demand and supplement grant awards. Here’s how to combine business grants and crowdfunding to support your business goals.
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
If you are seeking free small business grants for women in Florida, consider this national program. The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program provides selected women entrepreneurs with a $5,000 grant. Applicants must be U.S.-based women business owners generating revenue and operating for at least one year. The fellowship combines capital with training sessions designed to support growth and leadership development.
Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international business grant program that awards grants of $30,000 to $100,000 to early-stage, women-led businesses demonstrating measurable social or environmental impact. Florida is eligible to apply for scalable, mission-driven ventures. In addition to funding, selected fellows receive executive mentorship, leadership training, and global visibility. Applications open annually and are highly competitive, targeting businesses with clear growth potential and impact metrics.
Related post: How to Find Business Grants for Women: 10 Practical Tips for 2026
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants
NASE offers Growth Grants of up to $4,000 to member businesses. Applicants must hold an active membership before applying. Funds may be used for marketing, hiring, equipment purchases, or expansion. Grants are reviewed quarterly. While not women-specific, the program is widely used by female small business owners seeking flexible operational capital.
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
FedEx awards annual grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 to selected small businesses across the United States, and women entrepreneurs in Florida are also eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate business stability and growth potential. Funds may be used for expansion, equipment, inventory, or scaling initiatives. In addition to cash awards, winners receive business service credits. The competition opens annually and requires a formal application process with detailed business information.
Comcast RISE Investment Fund
Comcast RISE provides financial grants and marketing support to small businesses in select U.S. cities, including eligible locations in Florida. In addition to a $5,000 grant, recipients receive consultation services, advertising, and educational resources. The program supports minority- and women-owned businesses, focusing on economic empowerment and brand visibility.
There are many business grants for women in Florida, from statewide programs to local and national funding opportunities. By combining local resources with competitive women-focused grants, you can boost your business operations and pursue growth without incurring debt. Strategic preparation and timely applications significantly improve funding outcomes.
Tip: Many business owners wait until a grant application opens before getting their documents in order. In reality, the strongest applicants prepare well in advance. Learn how to build a fundable business so you’re ready to apply when the right opportunity comes along.
Finding business grants for women in Florida may require patience and persistence, but the opportunities are there for entrepreneurs who know where to look. From county initiatives and export assistance programs to national competitions designed to support women-owned businesses, there are multiple paths to securing funding without taking on debt. The key is to apply consistently, stay prepared, and explore both local and nationwide opportunities. Even if one application does not lead to funding, each experience can strengthen your future submissions and bring you closer to the resources your business needs to thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grants are available for women-owned businesses in Florida?
Florida is one of the best states for women’s small-business grants, though many available programs are not exclusively for female founders. Still, women entrepreneurs can access funding through local economic development offices, nonprofit organizations, and corporate grant programs. Many local initiatives, even those not specifically labeled as women-focused, prioritize women- and minority-owned businesses when awarding funds.
Do I have to register as a woman-owned business to qualify for free grants in Florida?
No. Only programs specifically designed to fund women entrepreneurs will require proof (usually a certification) that the business is over 51% woman-owned. Before applying, carefully review the program’s eligibility criteria. Certification improves competitiveness, but it is not a requirement in every grant program.
How much do business grants for women in Florida award successful applicants?
Well, grant awards for women entrepreneurs typically range from $10,000 to $100,000 for national programs and $2,000 to $20,0000 for local funding initiatives, but many small business grants for women in Florida award between $5,000 and $25,000.
