Grants are an excellent resource for women looking for free funding. However, finding business grants can be challenging, especially for women, as available options are often highly competitive. For this reason, it takes some time to secure them. If you are willing, numerous programs and nonprofits offer small business grants in Seattle, as well as other forms of support, to help you start a new business or grow an existing one.
Here are trusted programs for women entrepreneurs seeking small business grants in Seattle.
Note: Not all programs in this list offer direct cash grants, but many provide real financial assistance or guidance that can make funding more accessible in the future.
Tenant Improvement Program
Seattle’s Tenant Improvement Program supports small businesses that need help improving their storefront or commercial space. The program’s funding helps reduce the cost of upgrades, such as signage and equipment, that can improve business operations. The amount rewarded can vary across application windows.
- This program offers up to $15,000 for businesses that want to buy external signage and $50,000 for equipment purchases.
Back to Business Fund
If your enterprise is affected by vandalism and property damage, Seattle’s Back to Business Fund can help you repair, reopen, or strengthen it. The program supports businesses in three areas:
- Storefront Repair Fund (up to $3000 grants). This helps cover repair costs for businesses affected by vandalism or other property damage.
- Storefront Security Fund ($6000 grant). This one enables you to cover the costs of improving your business security
- Neighborhood Business District Investment. Funding that finances projects geared towards improving public safety and making Seattle’s neighborhoods more welcoming.
While it may not be open all year, it is worth checking because it can offer direct support for real business needs.
Ventures
Ventures might not be a source of the traditional small business grants in Seattle, but the services it offers can help you start or grow your enterprise. Once you register for and complete their free Business Basics Course, you’ll have access to various specialized services, including business training, coaching, capital in the form of loans and micro-finance, and more. The skills you gain from their education services, including marketing, sales, and financial planning, can help you succeed in securing future grants.
Business Community Ownership Fund
The Business Community Ownership Fund aims to help entrepreneurs gain more control over their businesses’ future. It specifically works to address the high commercial rent prices in the city, which make women and other vulnerable groups, such as immigrants, people of color, and the LGBTQ community, experience challenges in securing capital because of systemic inequities and racism, among other barriers.
The program secures budget-friendly rent for founders, which helps existing businesses operate in the long term and brings back displaced entrepreneurs to their communities. While it is not a traditional “cash grant” for daily expenses, it can support long-term business stability.
Business Impact NW
Business Impact NW is dedicated to providing founders with access to capital and expert business coaching. Its services and financing options can help female small business owners in Seattle start or expand their ventures. The organization is recognized for its focus on supporting underserved entrepreneurs who may not readily qualify for traditional bank loans. While much of its funding is loan-based, many women use this support as a bridge when grants are limited or unavailable.
Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF)
The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund is a self-sustaining financial institution committed to supporting small businesses, particularly in underserved communities. It aims to promote community and economic development in Southeast Seattle by providing more flexible lending options than traditional banks.
While it is not among the traditional small business grants in Seattle, it can still be a powerful funding option for women entrepreneurs seeking capital for equipment, expansion, or business growth.
To apply, you must complete the forms, which can be downloaded and submitted to the organizations via loans@rvdf.org.
- Loans range from $50,000 to $2 million
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP)
Struggling to find small business grants in Seattle? Applying for the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) can be a great start. SEAP is a Washington state program that helps eligible unemployed workers build income through self-employment training and business counselling while receiving unemployment benefits. This is not a traditional business grant, but it can help you build financial stability while you start your business. It is a good fit for women with a strong business idea who need support during the early stages of a startup.
To apply, visit SEAP’s website, confirm you eligibility, enroll in an approved training program, download the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) application, and complete it with the help of your training provider. Once completed and reviewed, the provider signs the ‘Program provider certification’ section of the form. You can then apply either via fax to 800-301-1796 or by mail to:
Employment Security Department
Attn: Training Benefits/SEAP Unit
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
Craft3
Craft3 is a nonprofit lender that has supported small businesses and nonprofits in Washington for many years. It offers financing options for startups and established companies, particularly those that may not qualify for traditional loans. Women entrepreneurs can utilize this funding to support working capital, equipment purchases, inventory, and, in some cases, real estate investments. Loan terms and interest rates vary, but Craft3 is a strong option for business owners seeking to build long-term stability. To apply, you need to visit the organization’s website, review the loan options and eligibility requirements, and apply online at Get Started with a Business Loan.
- Loans range from $25,000 to $3.5 million
- If you need to contact Craft3, do so at loaninquiry@craft3.org
Washington State OMWBE
The Washington Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) provides free business support services and connects women entrepreneurs to funding opportunities. This includes access to programs, contests, awards, funding, and other valuable resources that can help women-owned businesses thrive and grow. OMWBE works in partnership with agencies, such as the Department of Commerce, to provide access to specific programs and resources. You can visit their website and review the funding programs and business resources listed on their ‘Free Money and Services’ page.
Business Outreach and Education Fund (BOEF)
Operated by the Office of Labor Standards (OLS), the Business Outreach and Education Fund doesn’t offer the traditional free small business grants for women in Seattle, but its services can support your business’s well-being. It finances local organizations to increase awareness of the city’s labor laws through education and the provision of relevant resources. Through the program, you can learn about things like paid leave, fair scheduling, and minimum wage requirements. It focuses on small businesses owned by women and other underserved groups, including the low-income, immigrants, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and refugees.
Tip: Grant programs can open and close throughout the year, so it helps to check websites regularly and save your basic business details. When you find a program that fits your business, apply early and stay organized. The more prepared you are, the easier it becomes to use for future funding opportunities. Don’t forget to check out popular national business grants for women, like the Amber Grant.
Next Read: 10 California Business Grants for Women in 2026
Quinter Auma is a senior writer with nearly seven years of experience in digital content. Her work has been featured on TheTravel, Sixty and Me, Digital Zen, Africa OTR, among other publications. She’s also the founder of The African Traveler, a go-to resource for destination guides, practical tips, and authentic travel insights. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending quality time with her little boy.