If you’re a woman entrepreneur or minority-owned business owner looking for funding, this is for you.
I just shared 5 grants you can apply for this week—and if you’re serious about winning grants, there’s a freebie waiting for you at the end, so make sure you read all the way through.
But first, let’s talk about something most people get wrong about grants.
Here’s the Truth About Grant Proposals
Grant reviewers do not read proposals line by line.
They scan.
They scan for:
- Clarity
- Alignment
- Confidence
And honestly? That’s great news.
Because your goal is not to impress reviewers with fancy language or long explanations.
Your goal is to make their job easy.
Great ideas are rejected every single day—not because they’re bad ideas, but because the proposal makes the reviewer work too hard to understand them.
The proposals that get funded usually do four things extremely well.
How to Write a Grant Proposal Reviewers Actually Fund
1. Follow the Guidelines Precisely
This is non-negotiable.
Use:
- The funder’s structure
- Their headings
- Their terminology
This instantly signals reliability and professionalism. When reviewers see that you followed instructions exactly, you already feel like a safer bet.
If they say “limit answers to 250 words,” do not write 251.
2. Write to the Scoring Criteria
Most grant programs use a scoring rubric—even if they don’t show it to you.
That means:
- Some sections matter more than others
- Some questions are worth more points
Your strongest arguments should live where the points are highest. That’s where funding decisions are actually made.
3. Match the Funder’s Language & Priorities
This part is huge.
If the funder talks about:
- Community impact
- Economic equity
- Representation
- Access
You should too.
Use their words. Adopt their framing.
Alignment matters more than originality.
4. Design for Skimming
Remember: reviewers are busy.
Winning proposals are:
- Clearly sectioned
- Easy to scan
- Written in short paragraphs
- Supported by bullets and simple timelines
The easier your proposal is to digest, the more likely it is to rise to the top.
FREEBIE GRANT SPOTLIGHT
🎥 Script 1: HerRise Micro-Grant ($1,000–$5,000)
Let’s talk about one of the best beginner-friendly grants available right now—especially if you’re a woman of color entrepreneur.
The HerRise Micro-Grant: Monthly Funding for Women of Color
What Would an Extra $1,000–$5,000 Do for Your Business?
Would it help you:
- Buy inventory?
- Invest in branding?
- Launch the idea you’ve been sitting on?
- Upgrade your tools or systems?
If you’re a woman of color in business, the HerRise Micro-Grant is one of the easiest grants to start with.
And here’s why people love it:
- ✅ It’s monthly
- ✅ The application is simple
- ✅ You do not need a perfect business to qualify
What Is the HerRise Micro-Grant?
The HerRise Micro-Grant was created to support women of color entrepreneurs by increasing access to capital and equity.
- Award Amount: $1,000–$5,000
- Frequency: Every month
- Focus: Early-stage and small businesses
If you don’t win one month, you can:
👉 Improve your application
👉 Reapply the next month
That alone gives you an edge over grants that only open once a year.
Who Should Apply?
This grant is perfect if:
- You’re a woman of color
- You run a small or early-stage business
- You don’t have fancy financials yet
- You need funding—but not a massive amount
It’s especially great for:
- Service providers
- Creatives
- Coaches
- Online business owners
- Product-based founders just getting started
Application Breakdown: Why This Grant Is So Beginner-Friendly
The HerRise application is refreshingly simple.
You’re usually asked:
- Who you are
- What your business does
- How you’ll use the funds
- What impact the funding will have
That’s it.
No:
- Long business plans
- Pitch decks
- Complicated financial projections
Consistency and clarity matter far more than perfection.
How to Stand Out (This Is Where People Win)
Here’s what successful applicants do differently:
- Be specific about how you’ll use the money
- Show momentum (even small wins count)
- Explain impact, especially community or representation impact
They’re not looking for perfection.
They’re looking for promise.
Why Reviewers Say Yes
The best proposals don’t feel risky.
They feel like:
A smart, safe investment.
When reviewers read your application and think,
“I trust this founder to use this money well,”
you’re already ahead.
Don’t Limit Yourself to Online Grants Only
While many small business grants are online, not all funding opportunities live on the internet.
You should also check:
- Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
- Regional SBA offices
- Local business incubators
- Your local library (yes, really!)
Community organizations often know about grants that never go viral on social media.
Final Thoughts + Call to Action
If you qualify for the HerRise Micro-Grant, apply.
Refine your answers.
Reapply if needed.
Momentum builds over time.
💬 Would you take a moment to apply for this grant?
Tell us in the comments.
And if you want help writing strong grant answers, drop “HER RISE” in the comments, share this article with another woman entrepreneur, and make sure you grab the freebie linked in the video.
Because funding should be accessible, not intimidating. ✨