Green business grants can help seed your dreams.
Social entrepreneurs strive to meet the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit. By creating new business enterprise opportunities in the green arena, women looking to start a green business have a wealth of funding options available. Sources range from seed money and investment capitol, to state and government grant opportunities, which promote environmentally friendly products or services in green business models.
Foundations and Initiatives
Women's small business initiatives are progressing, especially with help from larger organizations who recognize the need for progress. The Walmart Foundation awarded a grant of $400,000 to the Business and Professional Women's Foundation to launch the "Moving from Red to Green: Working Women in the Green Economy" initiative. With this funding, the BPW established a pilot program awarding $60,000 grants to four organizations to expand their capacity to train women for green jobs and green small business management.
Private Grant Funding
Echoing Green has provides seed money to social entrepreneurs, supporting environmental, economic, and political organizations and their initiatives. Since 1987, Echoing Green has allotted nearly $30 million in seed funding to nearly 500 social entrepreneurs. Grant awards are $60,000 for individuals or $90,000 for 2-person partnerships. The award allows for health insurance, a professional development stipend, pro bono partnerships, access to conferences, and publicity to help grow or expand the business make the Echoing Green award a valuable resource for green business owners.
Funding for Green Non Profits
Throughout the United States, dedicated organizations fund grants to women-owned nonprofits who promote social change. The W.H.O. Foundation provides grants for community-focused women starting nonprofit businesses. W.H.O. funds projects which impact social change and community, including eco-friendly projects and green business endeavors. The Heineman Foundation awards $20,000.00 to $50,000.00 annually to underserved female entrepreneurs in several states across the nation who have attained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and embrace environmentally responsible business practices.
Grants for Women Entrepreneurs
The Eileen Fisher Company is a long time advocate of supporting businesses who combine the principles of social consciousness, sustainability and innovation to create a positive impact in the world. Launched in 2004, the program offers up to five annual grants of $12,500 to 100 percent women-owned and produce products or services that foster environmental and economic health. Aside from the grant funding awarded, recipients will be flown to New York City for a two day conference with past business grant recipients and EILEEN FISHER teams.
Tags: Echoing Green, green business, environmental economic, Grants Women, products services, seed money