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There are thousands of federal grants that benefit women. However, if you think the U.S. government will give a woman a direct grant just because she is a woman, you will be disappointed. It doesn’t work that way. The U.S. federal government has over 900 federal grant programs. Some of these grants are designed to help women with specific needs or living in specific geographic locations.

As you will see from the lists below, the U.S. federal government offers a wide range of diverse grant opportunities that address issues for women not only in America but around the world. To qualify for a federal grant, nonprofit organizations should be stable and mature entities that have been in the business of helping women for at least 3-5 years and have a good record of developing community partnerships with other helping organizations. The agency should have case histories of women who have been helped by their program, have kept track of the numbers of women served during the previous years, and be stable financially before applying for a federal grant.

Grants for Women Available to Groups Across the United States

WomensNet Amber Grant Foundation

The Amber Grant Foundation by WomensNet offers a yearly grant of $25,000 along with monthly grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. To apply, fill out the form with your contact details, business idea, and how you’ll use the grant money. Note that there is a $15 application fee.

Mary Kay Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program

Each year, the Mary Kay Foundation awards grant money directly to domestic violence shelters. Last year, $3 million in grants was awarded to 150 shelters nationwide.

J.Jill Compassion Fund Grant

Fashion retailer J.Jill offers this grant to organizations that help disadvantaged and homeless women become self-sufficient by providing job training, education, or affordable housing.

The Kroger Company Community Rewards

Kroger provides grants to local organizations that help feed the hungry, prevent breast cancer, and provide disaster relief services. Non-profits that help women near a Kroger retail location may apply. There is no deadline to apply for this grant.

Eleanor Roosevelt Fund Award

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) awards this grant to individuals or organizations that have contributed significantly to equality and education for women over the past year.

Avon Breast Cancer Safety Net Program

Health care institutions and organizations can apply for up to $100,000 to provide cancer diagnostic and treatment services to the medically underserved. The application deadline varies by location. Avon has also provided millions in grants under its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative.

Open Meadows Foundation

Open Meadows offers grants up to $2,000 for projects that assist and are led by women and girls, promoting gender, economic, and racial justice. Smaller organizations are prioritized over larger ones.

Federal Grants for Women

A recent review of grant opportunities listed at FederalGrants.com revealed the following federal grants for women:

The Office of Public Health and Science

  • Grant Amount: Minimum $300,000
  • Purpose: Develop cross-generational HIV/AIDS education programs for women at risk or living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
  • Awards Available: Up to four.

The U.S. Agency for International Development

  • Grant Amount: $300,000-$500,000
  • Purpose: Implement activities to encourage the abandonment of traditional practices that promote gender-based violence.
  • Geographic Focus: Africa, Asia, and the Near East.

The Employment and Training Administration

  • Grant Amount: Up to $300,000
  • Purpose: Improve recruitment, selection, training, employment, and retention of women in construction industry apprenticeships.
  • Awards Available: Three.

Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

  • Grant Amount: Up to $150,000
  • Purpose: Address women’s economic empowerment, foster political participation, and contribute to freedom from violence.
  • Awards Available: Minimum of three.

Small Business Administration

  • Grant Amount: Up to $150,000
  • Purpose: Start new, community-based women’s business centers (WBCs) to provide business skills training, counseling, and mentoring.
  • Awards Available: Up to 80.

Administration on Aging

  • Grant Amount: $240,000
  • Purpose: Comprehensive program addressing retirement planning assistance for women.
  • Awards Available: One.

National Institutes of Health

  • Grant Amount: $200,000
  • Purpose: Exploratory/developmental research on women’s mental health and sex/gender differences in mental health across the lifespan.

Office of Public Health and Science

  • Grant Amount: $100,000
  • Purpose: HIV prevention programs for women living in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Awards Available: Up to four.

Since the U.S. government mainly gives grants to non-profit organizations that help women rather than to individual women, it may be easier to obtain a grant through such an organization. Keep in mind federal bank holidays when contacting these grant-giving organizations, as they may be closed on these dates.

However, if you are a woman looking for a grant to help you pay for your education, there are government programs ready to assist individual women. These government grants for women help American women from all walks of life. Many women earn their degrees online while taking care of their children at home or while working a daytime job.