Small Business Administration, SBA

• Female-owned business bring in more than $1.2 trillion in annual revenue.Twenty dollars among dollars image by Borodaev from Fotolia.com
  
  A woman who needs funding for a start-up business, or to expand her growing business, should begin her search for funding with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA. The SBA is a government-sponsored agency that provides a wide variety of resources for small business owners, including business education and mentorship. For business owners in need of funding, the SBA will work with your bank to help you secure a loan for your business. You can find out more about funding eligibility on the organization's website.
  
  

Small Business Investment Company, SBIC

• A solid business plan is vital for securing capital funds.business image by peter Hires Images from Fotolia.com
  
  The SBA also sponsors a private organization called the Small Business Investment Company, SBIC, that provides equity or debt funding to start-up businesses. While the SBA does not invest directly in businesses through the SBIC, it does provide financial backing and resources for investment management companies that specialize in specific business sectors of industries through the SBIC. To qualify for this type of funding a female-owned business must have a net worth less than $18 million.
  
  

State Funding

• Good credit is often key to securing business funding.approved stamp image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com
  
  The U.S. Economic Development Administration sponsors state-run programs especially for small business owners. The amount of money that a business can receive depends on the amount of funding that your state has received from the federal government and the amount of applicants that year. This program is best for female business owners who need less than $25,000 in start up or growth capital, however, state economic development programs are always especially interested in female-owned businesses so your chances of receiving funds may be greater with this programs than others.
  
  

Other Funding

• Many states have programs that specifically offer funding for female-owned businesses, however, the variety and qualifications vary from state to state. Likewise, a business owner may be able to secure funding by other means like a local credit union, relatives or a nonprofit organization. The best way to find the type of funding you need is to research all available options.