Are you a female student, entrepreneur, or home buyer looking for grant money to help you in your endeavors? If so, there's good news for most female grant seekers. There are a plethora of government and private grants designed to help women reach their educational goals and other specific needs. Finding these grants for women is simply a matter of taking the time to make some phone calls, spend some time doing the research, and writing a few proposals.
Federal Grants for Women
Federal grants for women are available for a number of different purposes. However, the one area where they are not available is for starting a small business. Don't believe all the hype that says you can get free money to start your own business; it's simply not true. The federal government's clearinghouse for grants, grants.gov, clearly states on its web site in bold red lettering that the federal government does not provide grants to start small businesses.
On the other hand, if you're a woman looking for educational grants that's an entirely different matter altogether. These grants are made available through programs administered by various state agencies. By checking grants.gov you can find all the various grants available to women for educational needs, along with details on how to apply.
Private Grants for Women
While federal and state grants are available to some degree, by far the bigger source of grants for women comes from private institutions. Performing an Internet search on the phrase “grants for women" reveals thousands of results, providing you with hundreds of organizations dedicated to helping women.
Association for Women in Mathematics
One such example is the Association for Women in Mathematics. The purpose of this organization is to encourage female students to pursue careers in math and science, and to promote equal opportunity for women in those careers. The organization provides both fellowships and grants, in varying amounts, as supplied through the donations of its members and other philanthropists. Applications for these fellowships and grants can be obtained by visiting the organization's web site.
ExxonMobil Grants for Women and Girls
ExxonMobil Grants for Women and Girls is another source of grant funding for women. This brand new initiative from ExxonMobil is aimed at improving education and training opportunities for women in developing countries. Like the previously mentioned example, Exxon Mobil grants vary in amount and can be applied for by contacting ExxonMobil.
The list of private organizations offering grants for women includes dozens of others like the International Federation of University Women's Fellowships and Grants, the Jeannette Rankin Foundation for Low Income Women, the Mott Foundation, the NOW foundation, PEO International, the Sister Fund, and many, many more.
If you're a woman looking for a grant, and you have sufficient grant writing skills, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to secure assistance for education, home buying, or other needs. With a little persistence and time, grant money is available to help you on your way.