UNITED STATES AND CANADA — Applications for the August cycle of WomensNet’s Amber Grant are due on 31 August 2026, with three $10,000 awards available to eligible women-owned businesses.
Applicants must be women aged at least 18 who own 50% or more of a business based in the United States or Canada. Eligible ventures can include idea-stage and pre-revenue businesses as well as operating companies. Revenue-generating nonprofit organisations may qualify, while organisations primarily engaged in charitable giving do not.
The official process charges a non-refundable $15 application fee. Applicants should consider that cost before submitting because payment provides entry to the competition, not a grant or assessment service.
WomensNet says each monthly applicant is considered for three categories: the general Amber Grant, a startup grant and a business-specific award. Monthly recipients may later become eligible for one of three $50,000 year-end grants.
A strong application should describe what the business does, whom it serves and how the money would be used. A specific budget—equipment, inventory, certification or a customer-acquisition test—is generally more useful than a broad promise to “grow.”
Early-stage founders do not need to invent revenue. If a venture is still being tested, the application can identify the problem, evidence of customer interest and the milestone $10,000 would make possible.
Applicants should submit only through the official website and retain a payment receipt. They should avoid third parties claiming to guarantee selection or requesting unnecessary identity, banking or proprietary information.
Before paying, founders should also review publicity terms and the programme’s privacy policy. Award programmes may expect winners to participate in profiles or promotional material, which can create concerns for people operating in sensitive sectors or from a home address.
The August deadline is close, but speed should not replace due diligence. Women should compare the grant with local public programmes, revenue financing and other sources that do not charge an application fee.
A $10,000 award can be meaningful for a small company, and the year-end possibility increases its potential value. It remains highly competitive, however. Applicants should continue operating and pursuing other funding rather than plan expenditure around an uncertain result.
Deadline: 31 August 2026.
Monthly award: Three grants of $10,000.
Application fee: $15, non-refundable.
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