In 1998, WomensNet founded the Amber Grant. One of the very first online organizations to give women-owned business grants, WomensNet awards “Business Specific” Grants based on each month’s category. January’s Business Specific Grant is Skilled Trades; February’s is Health & Fitness. The application cutoff for the next $10,000 Amber Grant is January 31, 2022.

Skilled trades can include one of several subcategories such as Auto Mechanics, Carpentry, Remodeling, Welding & Fabrication, Heating & Cooling, Trucking & Transportation, Plumbing, Commercial & Home Construction, and Farming.

The Amber Grant was established to honor the memory of Amber Wigdahl, a young woman who died at just nineteen years old before realizing her business dreams. Today, the organization awards two $10,000 Amber Grants each month. After reviewing all of the submitted applications, a panel of judges selects five finalists. One of those finalists will be the monthly $10,000 Amber Grant winner while the other four finalists will each receive $1,000.

Most statistics reveal that women are often underrepresented in the trade services—especially as business owners. To change that statistic, WomensNet is committed to “helping women business owners in the trade services to break through the oldest glass ceiling.” Challenging these traditional roles also expands women’s entrepreneurial skills and develops flexible careers that enable women to manage both work and family obligations.

According to their website—ambergrantsforwomen.com—the WomensNet organization is inspired by women who are driven to use their skills to provide goods or services to benefit their communities and who want to invest their time and passions into a purpose-driven business model. “We want to see more women doing what they love,” a spokesperson for the group commented.

Based on that philosophy, WomensNet annually awards grants in twelve categories—one per month. These categories support professions from fashion design to restaurant ownership; from health and wellness practitioners to hair product business owners. Applications are available online where applicants will find answers to frequently asked questions as well as tips for writing a successful grant. Two of the application questions invite interested individuals to describe their business or business idea and to explain how the money from an awarded grant will be used.

Beyond awarding women’s business grants, WomensNet is a community of entrepreneurial women who create unique content with the objective of supporting other women business owners. On occasion, they even consult or give personalized business advice to their community members.