Some funding sources specifically target women entrepreneurs. Check out the information below to see where to go for loans, scholarships, and other sources of funding. Remember, these are not just handed out, and you must qualify and present much information.
• Small Business Administration (Office of Women's Business Ownership) (www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness) - The SBA is doing more than ever to help level the playing field for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the world of business. Check out their "Hot List" of outside resources.
• Count-Me-In (www.count-me-in.org) - This is a new fundraising organization that raises money from women for women. Loans are given from $500 to $10,000 (for first time recipients the maximum amount is $5,000). Check them out! The CEO, Nell Merlino, started Take Our Daughters To Work Day in 1993.
• Federal Money Retriever - (www.fedmoney.com) - The premier grants and loans database software contains information on all U. S. federal government grant and loan programs. They have a specific category for grants available for women at: http://www.fedmoney.com/grants/su0232.htm
• The Women's Funding Network - (www.wfnet.org) - Promotes the development and growth of women's funds that empower women and girls by fostering strategic alliances among women, donors, communities and institutions.
• NBC Supplier Diversity Program Website - (www.nbcsourcing.com/supplierdiversity/) - This is not so much a funding opportunity, but a procurement opportunity specifically for women and minority owned businesses.
• American Association of University Women - (www.aauw.org) - This foundation is one of the largest private sources of funding for graduate women in the world, supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.
• The Ada Project for Women (TAP) - (http://tap.mills.edu) - Includes information on conferences, discussion groups, organizations, fellowships, grants, and notable women in computer science.
• Financial Women International - (www.fwi.org) - Provides information on professional growth, information sharing, peer networking, mentoring, leadership development, and career advancement for women.
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