EmpowHer Grants

The EmpowHer Grants program is administered by the Boundless Futures Foundation, a private philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs who are building businesses with a defined social impact. The foundation focuses on empowering early stage founders by providing both financial capital and access to a network of advisors. Through this program, the foundation aims to address systemic social challenges by investing in mission driven businesses that align with broader societal needs, particularly those reflected in global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of the EmpowHer Grants program is to provide funding and strategic support to female entrepreneurs who are operating revenue generating businesses that directly address social issues. Eligible businesses must demonstrate a clear commitment to solving problems such as poverty, hunger, humanitarian needs, or environmental sustainability through their products or business models. The program is designed to support founders who are in the early stages of growth and who require capital, guidance, or both to scale their impact. In addition to financial support, recipients gain access to the Advisory Circle, a group of professionals who provide expertise in finance, marketing, leadership, and long term business strategy. Funding through the EmpowHer Grants program is provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning that approved expenses must first be incurred by the recipient and then reimbursed upon submission of proper documentation. Applicants may request up to fifty thousand dollars in funding for eligible business related expenses. As part of the application, founders are required to submit a comprehensive business plan and a detailed budget outlining how funds will be used. In addition to the primary grant, recipients are eligible for a supplemental Learning Grant of up to two thousand five hundred dollars within one year of receiving their award. This additional funding supports professional development activities such as attending conferences, enrolling in educational programs, or accessing resources that enhance leadership and business skills. Eligibility requirements are clearly defined and limited to female entrepreneurs who are at least twenty two years of age and whose businesses are registered and operating solely within the United States. Businesses must be structured as for profit entities, must be actively generating revenue, and must not be more than five years old, based on the date of official registration or incorporation. Applicants must also demonstrate that their business produces a measurable social impact. As part of the award process, applicants are required to self report their credit score and consent to a third party background check, which serves as an additional verification step prior to funding approval. The application process is competitive and structured around recurring grant cycles that occur twice each year. While applications are reviewed on a rolling basis when open, there are defined periods during which submissions are accepted. For example, the spring cycle opens in early May and the fall cycle opens in early November. At times when no application link is available, prospective applicants must wait until the next cycle opens to submit their materials. The process requires completion of all application components, including submission of a business plan and financial documentation through the designated application portal. Applications are evaluated based on multiple criteria, including the strength and clarity of the business model, the level of social impact achieved or projected, financial sustainability, and the applicant’s readiness to effectively utilize grant funding. The foundation also considers how well the business aligns with its priority issue areas and whether the founder demonstrates the capacity for long term growth. Due to the competitive nature of the program, not all qualified applicants receive funding. Award decisions are typically aligned with the seasonal grant cycles, and recipients must comply with reimbursement procedures and documentation requirements throughout the funding period.

Demonstrate clear social impact alignment and provide detailed financial planning to strengthen application competitiveness