Grants, which are monies given directly to recipients (individuals or organizations) for educational or social action purposes, are one of the most well-known yet still-untapped sources of funds. Many organizations give grants to individuals based on need, field of study, or other characteristics.

One group that often has educational grants specially designated for them is women. This may seem unfair or discriminatory at first glance, but there are many, valid reasons for this practice. The first is the enormous number of single female-headed households in the US. It has been proven that educated women are not only less likely to live in poverty, but will also bring other benefits to their household – and the nation, as a whole. Educated women engage in more preventative health practices, promote academic achievement among their children and families, and enjoy greater local, global, political, and social awareness. Even in two-parent families, women tend to play a greater role in the care and raising of children, making the education of women a top priority.
Grants for women also make sense when considering the ability of single-parent households to afford education. It is nearly impossible for a single income to not only cover household expenses, but also tuition, books, childcare, and loan payments. Therefore, having grants designated towards women helps facilitate what might be an otherwise impossible endeavor.

There are also a number of grants that are geared just towards girls, helping to foster leadership and self-sufficiency from an early age. For example, for those young entrepreneurs who have already demonstrated a degree of accomplishment in terms of financial independence and community impact, there is the Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award. A total of 30,000 is awarded to 3 winners and 12 finalists, to either put towards college or to invest in their businesses. A similar grant just for girls is the Go Girl Go! Ambassador Team Award, which is designed to reward groups that promote sports and physical activity in their schools or community, awarding $2500 to each of 20 winners.

In addition, women-designated grants are often found in fields where women have been historically underrepresented. This includes the National Physical Science Consortium, which offers fellowships to all US citizens studying physical sciences and engineering – but gives special consideration to minorities and women. Another example is the ThirdWave Foundation, which provides grants to female leaders who have a specific vision of how to improve their communities. The National Science Foundation even offers travel grants for women who want to attend research conferences in their fields, allowing them a better chance at career advancement.

It is clear why so many grants are in fact oriented towards women. Whether we are looking out for the good of our children, promoting female empowerment, or encouraging intellectual development, grants for women help make this possible. These are only a few of the many available grants out there – now you just have to get out and look!