Ashley Phelps, creator of GLOB arts and crafts products which are sourced from natural, recyclable and biodegradable materials.

EILEEN FISHER Is Proud to Support Women Entrepreneurs through Its Annual Business Grant Program

The EILEEN FISHER grant program seeks applicants from wholly women-owned businesses that combine the principles of social consciousness, sustainability and innovation to take their established businesses to the next stage of their business plan.

In addition to the key social principles, each applicant is required to have a solid business plan and a strategy for long-term growth. Each of the five grant recipients receives a $12, 500 grant plus mentoring from internal EILEEN FISHER teams and a trip to New York City for a three-day workshop with EILEEN FISHER committee members and past grant recipients.

Instilling confidence in women entrepreneurs is a personal passion of company founder Eileen Fisher. "This is a terrifying time for businesses, " says Eileen. "I know how important it is to have someone believe in and validate your work, I want to encourage women entrepreneurs and firmly believe that business can be used to create social change, even if the economic climate is uncertain."

"The credit market is still tight for small businesses, even as the economy rebounds, " adds Cheryl Campbell, EILEEN FISHER Business Grant Facilitator. "In this economy, we want to continue to inspire women to pursue new opportunities and creative solutions that will move their businesses forward in a sustainable way."

The EILEEN FISHER Business Grant Program for Women Entrepreneurs was launched in 2004 with a single grant to commemorate the company's twentieth anniversary. Since then, five grants have been awarded each year. The guidelines for the annual Women-Owned Business Program are continuing to evolve, and the grant applications are typically open annually from early March through May.

To apply, your business must be:

• Innovative
• 100 percent women-owned
• Producing products or services that foster environmental and economic health in the community
• A for-profit business or a for-profit/nonprofit hybrid (social enterprise). (Nonprofit organizations may be eligible for funding through other programs listed on our grant page.)
• In operation for at least three years and ready to move to the next stage of its business plan

Please note: No organization or agency may charge for this application. Please report any unauthorized solicitations to ccampbell@eileenfisher.com.

The 2013 EILEEN FISHER Women's Business Grant Cycle is now closed.