March 2026: 5 Grant Deadlines (& Happy Women’s History Month!)
Skim Time: 4 Minutes
Hi there, Subscriber First Name—
I’m Frédérique Irwin, President & CEO of the National Women’s History Museum, and Board Member of Ladies Who Launch. We’ll jump into this month’s essentials shortly, but as March is Women’s History Month, the LWL team asked me to start this newsletter with a few personal thoughts:
Women’s History Month is not just about looking back. It is about remembering the women who built before us.
Long before venture capital or accelerators, women were launching businesses, funding their own ideas, and creating opportunity where none existed. They faced barriers most of us will never fully understand. And they built anyway. Their stories are not just history. They are reminders and proof of what is possible, especially when the moments are hard.
At the National Women’s History Museum, our She Is Not a Footnote campaign ensures those stories are seen and amplified. Because she was not a footnote. And neither are you.
Go build something that honors that legacy.
In this edition:
💰 Grant Opportunities: 5 applications are linked below, all with March 2026 deadlines. Find more grants in LWL’s Grant Database.
🗓️ Upcoming Webinar: Now happening on March 26th, register for an inside look at how real organizations (including LWL!) are using AI in their day-to-day operations.
📚 20 minute read: Grab your beverage of choice, and settle into the Young Women and Girls’ Aspiration Report for a dose of inspiration and gumption, brought to you by the National Women’s History Museum.
🩵 Meet Bella: Learn what drives this high-school student and entrepreneur who recently donated the proceeds of her recent pop-ups to support the mission of Ladies Who Launch!
In your corner,
Frédérique Irwin
President and CEO, National Women’s History Museum
Board Member, Ladies Who Launch
⭐️THE LAUNCH PROGRAM IS HERE⭐️
In partnership with Boundless Futures Foundation, Ladies Who Launch is giving ten $10K grants to women founders who have built social impact into their business model. Our 2026 Launch Program participants will also get access to an 8-week group training program designed to help level up their business and operational skills. Applications close Tuesday March 17th at 11:59pm Eastern.
💰 GRANT DEADLINES
For any questions about the below grants, including eligibility, please reach out to the granting organization directly.
[$10K] 2026 LWL Launch Program. Our flagship grant program is accepting applications NOW! If social impact is core to your business model, this grant is for you. Deadline: March 17th at 11:59pm ET
[$10K] Ripple Digital Leap Forward Accelerator. Participants receive 8 weeks of expert-led, virtual sessions, and a $10K grant upon program completion. Deadline: March 18th at 5:00pm ET
[$2500] SecretSOS Grant. SecretSOS offers a $2500 quarterly grant, along with a platform that’s especially helpful for franchisee businesses. Next Deadline: March 31st
[$3K] Outta Excuses Small Business Empowerment Grant. Another quarterly grant that offers weekly strategic coaching sessions, and a chance at an additional $10K annual grant awarded in September. Next Deadline: March 31st at 11:59pm ET
[$10K+] Pilot Small Business Growth Grant. Pilot & Hello Alice are giving away 18 grants, along with a year of free bookkeeping. Deadline: March 31st
BONUS OFFER!
Not a grant, but a fab opportunity nonetheless. In honor of International Women’s Day, brand strategy agency Valiant is offering 3 female founders a strategic brand session designed to help them see their opportunity space more clearly, and position their business for the next stage of growth. Learn more & apply.
💥 POWER PICKS
Your monthly shortcut to better decisions: handpicked listens, curated reads, and expert events that will level up your thinking and skills.
🗓️ Upcoming Webinar: AI in the Real World. Ever wondered how business owners are actually using AI? Join us on Thursday March 26th for an inside look with demos from a couple small business owners, and your LWL team!
📚 AI Wrote Your Pitch. You Know. I Know. We All Know. Angel Investor Susan Montgomery reminds us that the point of the pitch deck is to get to know “the human being you’re asking me to trust with my money.” She offers insight into the right and wrong ways to use AI in your decks from the perspective of a seasoned investor.
📚 Young Women & Girls Aspiration Report. Courtesy of the National Women’s History Museum, this report highlights sobering facts about the state of gender equity. Use the data to start conversations, challenge assumptions, and drive change–not just during Women’s History Month, but all through the year.
🩵 LAUNCHER SPOTLIGHT
We celebrate women-owned businesses in motion: the decisions they’re making, the challenges they’re navigating, and what other founders can learn along the way. Be sure to give your fellow Launcher some love online!
Bella Wu of Evermore Hues
2026 Donor—Thank you, Bella!
As a high school student, Bella Wu is making waves. In her spare time, she spearheads a number of projects focused on elevating and empowering women, including making handmade candles and donating the proceeds. We asked her what drives her, and here’s what she had to say:
“I’m driven by the belief that small actions can create real opportunity. I was drawn to entrepreneurship because it gave me a way to turn my convictions into tangible support for other women. I hope to see a future where women are not the exception in business, but fully recognized as leaders shaping it.”
CALLING ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS
Speaking of supporting the next generation of women launching incredible businesses, here’s a bonus opportunity for college students brought to you by LWL board member, Rosie Rios!
For those of you with entrepreneurial students, let them know about America’s Startup: A national college student competition designed to spotlight the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Applications are being accepted now through March 31st. Go get ‘em! 💪