Women Entrepreneurship Fellowship Grant 2025: How to Win the Tory Burch Foundation 5000 Dollar Award and Yearlong Support

If you are a woman building a real business – not a “cute side hustle,” but a company with revenue, customers, and big ambition – the Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program should absolutely be on your radar.

This is not just a $5,000 grant and a pat on the back. It is a yearlong fellowship built around one core idea: women founders don’t just need money, they need powerful networks, smart coaching, and direct access to decision-makers who actually move the needle.

Think of it as a mini‑MBA plus a strategic advisory board plus a cheering section that actually understands your P&L.

You get:

• A $5,000 business education grant
• One full year of programming and curated learning
• Direct access to advisors and experts
• A peer network of 400+ women founders across industries
• Visibility and credibility from a nationally recognized foundation

And the bar is serious: this is for women whose companies are already generating at least $75,000 in annual revenue and are ready to scale.

If that sounds like you, this is one of the most worthwhile, founder‑friendly fellowships in the U.S. entrepreneurship space. It is competitive, but very winnable if you treat the application like you would a big customer pitch.

At a Glance: Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

Why This Fellowship Actually Matters for Women Founders

A lot of programs talk a big game about “supporting women entrepreneurs” and then hand out a couple of webinars and a photo op.

This one goes deeper.

First, you are plugged into a premier peer network of hundreds of women who are already building serious companies. These are founders who are hiring teams, negotiating with suppliers, closing six‑ and seven‑figure contracts, and wrestling with the same growing pains you are. That level of community is rare and incredibly valuable.

Second, the program focuses on specific, company-level challenges. You are not just getting generic advice like “believe in yourself.” You get collaborative coaching sessions where experts help you work through your pricing problem, your marketing funnel, your supply chain headaches.

Third, there is advisor access that can genuinely change your business trajectory. One founder quoted by the program mentions that the Foundation enabled a small, interest‑free loan she couldn’t secure anywhere else – and that contract ended up leading to $5 million in business. That is the kind of catalytic moment you want in your corner.

Finally, you gain the credibility of being a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow. That name on your deck, your website, and your investor updates signals that your company has been vetted and backed by a respected national foundation focused on women’s entrepreneurship.

If you are serious about scaling, this is the sort of platform that can shave years off your growth curve.

What This Opportunity Offers (Beyond the 5000 Dollars)

The $5,000 grant is helpful, but the real value sits in everything wrapped around it. Think of the grant as the down payment; the fellowship is the house.

Here is what you are actually getting once you become a Fellow:

1. A high‑caliber peer network

You join a community of more than 400+ women founders from sectors as varied as beauty, logistics, health, tech, food, and manufacturing. They are all building intentionally for the future, not just trying to survive the month.

This is where:

• You find the operations expert who has already solved the inventory chaos you are dealing with.
• You meet the marketing genius who has scaled customer acquisition profitably on a budget similar to yours.
• You gain friends who understand why payroll week keeps you up at night.

Many alumni talk about the ongoing relationships – collaborators, customers, even future investors – that started inside this fellowship.

2. Collaborative coaching tailored to your company

You are not thrown into a generic, pre‑recorded course and told “good luck.” The program builds intentional coaching around your business.

Expect to:

• Work through your strategic priorities: pricing, hiring, fundraising, operations, or all of the above.
• Get feedback on your business model, pitch, and growth plan.
• Address your “oh-no” issues (cash flow, margins, scaling fulfillment) in a structured way.

If you have ever wished for a hybrid of a coach, a CFO, and a wise founder friend who has already been through this, this part of the program gets pretty close.

3. Direct access to advisors and decision-makers

This is one of the most underrated pieces. The fellowship opens doors to people who can:

• Introduce you to buyers, partners, and distribution channels
• Give honest feedback on investment readiness
• Help you think strategically about capital (not just “raise VC or die”)

You are not cold‑emailing from the outside; you are being introduced through a curated program designed to help women actually get a seat at the table.

4. Self-paced education that grows with you

The program includes ongoing learning built for busy founders – not academic theorists.

You will have:

• Virtual curriculum you can adapt to your schedule
• Workshops and sessions on topics like finance, branding, leadership, legal, and HR
• Tactical frameworks you can take back to your team the same week

You are not trying to remember abstract frameworks. You are actively applying what you learn to your next launch, your next hire, your next investor conversation.

Who Should Apply (And Who Is Not Ready Yet)

This fellowship is intentionally not for first week, idea‑stage founders. It is designed for women who have put their idea into the market, proven that customers will pay, and are now seeking to scale intelligently.

You are a strong fit if:

• You identify as a woman and you are the majority owner and key decision-maker in the company. You are not a symbolic “co‑founder” – you actually run the show.
• Your business is legally registered and operating in the United States, and you are a legal U.S. resident (including territories).
• Your company is for‑profit, in any industry – product, service, tech, brick‑and‑mortar, e‑commerce, B2B, B2C – all fair game.
• You are generating at least $75,000 in annual revenue. This is non‑negotiable. It proves there is real demand and that you are at a stage where scale is realistic.
• You play a significant operational role: leading strategy, managing the team, overseeing finances, making core decisions.

A few quick scenario examples:

• Great fit: A Black woman founder running a CPG food brand with $220,000 in annual sales, 3 part‑time staff, and growing wholesale accounts. She wants support to build a more sophisticated distribution strategy and raise smart capital.
• Great fit: A Latina founder running a staffing company with $450,000 in revenue, struggling to build out a repeatable hiring and training model while maintaining margins.
• Not quite ready: A founder who just registered her LLC, has a beautiful idea, early prototypes, but only $10,000 in revenue so far.
• Not eligible: A male founder whose co‑founder is a woman but who holds the majority equity and makes primary decisions.

If you are under the $75,000 revenue mark, use this as motivation to reach that threshold, and bookmark the program for a future cycle.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

You are competing against sharp, ambitious women who are also doing impressive things. To stand out, you need more than a good story; you need a tight, strategic narrative.

Here is how to approach it:

1. Treat the application like an investor pitch deck in prose

Start with the basics:

• What problem are you solving?
• For whom?
• Why do they pay you rather than someone else?

Be precise, not poetic. “We provide eco‑friendly cleaning products to multifamily property managers and have grown to 120 recurring accounts in 18 months” is far stronger than “We are passionate about sustainability in home care.”

2. Show traction with real numbers

Reviewers want to see evidence that you are building something sturdy.

Include:

• Annual revenue for the last 1–3 years, or quarter‑over‑quarter growth if you are newer
• Key metrics like average order value, repeat purchase rate, or client retention
• Notable contracts, partnerships, or distribution wins

You do not need to pretend you are bigger than you are. Honesty plus momentum is far more compelling than inflated numbers that do not add up.

3. Connect your personal story to your leadership style (without turning it into a memoir)

Yes, your journey matters. But this is not a diary entry.

Frame it like this:

• What lived experience led you to start this company?
• How does that experience shape how you hire, build products, or work with customers?
• How has it prepared you to handle the very real stress of growth?

For example, “I grew up translating medical bills for my parents, which is why our health‑tech product is designed in plain language and tested with non‑native English speakers” is both personal and strategically relevant.

4. Be very clear about why you need this specific fellowship now

Generic lines like “This program would help us grow” are useless.

Spell out:

• What decisions are on your horizon in the next 12–18 months? (Hiring senior staff, entering new markets, raising capital, negotiating distribution, etc.)
• What knowledge, network, or perspective are you missing to make those decisions confidently?
• How will the Tory Burch Foundation programming – not just any acceleration support – fill that gap?

Reviewers want to know you will use the resources, not just enjoy the brand.

5. Show that you will give as much as you take

The program clearly values founders who help each other rise.

Describe how you:

• Mentor younger founders now (even informally)
• Share resources and open doors for other women
• See yourself contributing to the fellows network

This is not about sounding noble. It is about signaling that you understand community is a two‑way street.

6. Get an outside reader before you submit

Ask one person who knows your business and one person who does not to read your application.

Tell them:

• Circle every sentence that feels like jargon.
• Underline anything that is confusing or vague.
• Ask them if they can explain in two sentences what your company does and what you need.

If they can’t, rewrite until they can.

Application Timeline: Working Backward from November 1, 2024

The deadline looks far away until it is not. Build yourself a realistic runway:

8–10 weeks before deadline (late August – early September)
Clarify your numbers and your story. Pull revenue reports, customer metrics, and any impact data. Block off dedicated “application time” in your calendar each week, just like you would a sales meeting.

6–8 weeks before deadline (mid–September)
Draft your core narrative: company overview, traction, growth plan, and why‑this‑fellowship. Don’t worry about polish yet. Aim for a messy but complete draft.

4–6 weeks before deadline (late September – early October)
Tighten your answers. Add specific numbers, case examples, and concrete plans. Draft your short‑answer responses in the application portal but also keep a copy in a document so you do not lose anything.

3–4 weeks before deadline (early October)
Record and refine your video pitch if one is required for this cohort (they often are). Script the key points, rehearse, then film in good light with clear audio. Expect to need multiple takes.

1–2 weeks before deadline (mid–October)
Have trusted advisors review your materials. Make final edits, double‑check eligibility items, and verify all numbers match across the application.

At least 48 hours before November 1, 2024
Submit. Do not flirt with the deadline. Portals glitch, Wi‑Fi drops, files upload slowly. Hit “submit” with time to spare so you can focus on your business, not on whether the application went through.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

Requirements can shift slightly by year, but you should be ready with:

• Company overview and traction: A clear, one‑to‑two paragraph explanation of what you do, whom you serve, and where you are today (revenue, customers, team).
• Growth plan: A concise narrative on your next 12–24 months – new markets, key hires, product expansions, or operational improvements. Tie these directly to revenue and impact goals.
• Founder profile: A short bio (not a full resume) emphasizing relevant experience, leadership, and why you are uniquely positioned to grow this company.
• Financial snapshot: Recent annual revenue, basic profit margins if available, and a quick summary of how you currently finance the business (bootstrapped, loans, small grants, etc.).
• Use of funds: A specific explanation of how you will invest the $5,000 grant – for example, upgrading your inventory system, running a targeted marketing campaign, paying for critical certifications, or funding key professional development.
• Video pitch (if requested): A ~2‑minute video where you talk directly to the reviewers. Focus on clarity over production value.

Prepare these materials as if you might reuse them for investors, bank loan applications, or other grant opportunities – because you absolutely can.

What Makes an Application Stand Out to Reviewers

When reviewers are staring at a stack of strong women‑led companies, certain patterns rise to the top.

1. Clarity beats charm every time
The best applications are strikingly clear: “We do X for Y, we have achieved Z, and here is exactly how we will grow with this fellowship.” Reviewers remember them because they understand them.

2. Evidence of disciplined execution
This program is not just buying into vision; it is backing founders who execute. Showing a track record of hitting realistic goals, maintaining customers, and making smart adjustments when things go sideways is powerful.

3. A grounded growth plan
You do not need a 50‑page strategic plan, but you do need a believable path that connects:

• Today’s revenue and operations
• Specific actions during the fellowship year
• Measurable growth in revenue, jobs, or impact

Wild hockey‑stick projections with no explanation tend to raise eyebrows, not excitement.

4. Real social or economic impact
While your company must be for‑profit, the Foundation clearly cares how your work affects people’s lives.

Strong applications highlight:

• Jobs created, especially for women or underrepresented groups
• Access improved (health, education, finance, tech, etc.)
• Sustainability, community impact, or equity embedded in the model

You do not need to be a nonprofit to show meaningful impact.

5. A founder who is both ambitious and coachable
Reviewers gravitate toward people who have strong opinions about their business but are open to learning. If your application reads like you have everything figured out, they might wonder why you need a fellowship at all.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A lot of good founders sabotage themselves with avoidable errors. Don’t be one of them.

1. Vague business descriptions

If your application uses phrases like “empowering communities” without saying how you make money, reviewers will tune out. Always connect your mission to a clear business model.

Solution: Write one simple sentence: “We earn revenue by [selling/providing] X to Y for Z dollars.” Build from there.

2. Ignoring the revenue requirement

If you are not at $75,000 in annual revenue yet, do not try to round up, “project forward,” or blur the numbers. They will check. Inaccuracy here can damage your reputation for future opportunities.

Solution: Focus on hitting the threshold for the next cycle, and use this year to build traction and tighten your fundamentals.

3. Treating the $5,000 like a bonus, not a strategic asset

Writing “We’ll use the funds for general expenses” screams lack of planning.

Solution: Choose 1–2 specific uses that clearly tie to growth – e.g., a CRM implementation to improve sales efficiency, or key certifications that open new contracts.

4. Generic answers about “why this fellowship”

Copy‑pasting the program description back at them (“I want access to a community of women founders”) tells reviewers nothing about you.

Solution: Name concrete elements – peer masterminds, advisor access, workshops – and explain how they align with actual issues in your business.

5. Last‑minute, rushed submissions

Reviewers can spot them: typos, inconsistent numbers, half‑baked answers.

Solution: Work backwards from the deadline with internal milestones, and treat this like an important sales proposal. Because it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the $5,000 grant equity‑free?
Yes. This is a grant, not an investment. You do not give up equity or repayment terms for the $5,000. Think of it as non‑dilutive fuel for strategic priorities.

Do I have to travel for the program?
Historically, the fellowship has included in‑person components (often a workshop or gathering in New York), plus extensive virtual programming. You should be prepared to travel if selected, though many parts are designed to be accessible online.

Can I apply if my business is very small but profitable?
As long as you meet the minimum $75,000 annual revenue threshold and the other criteria, yes. Size is less important than momentum, scalability, and your readiness to engage fully in the program.

What if I have co‑founders?
Co‑founders are welcome, but the primary applicant must identify as a woman and be the majority or equal‑largest owner and key decision‑maker. The fellowship focuses on the individual founder as well as the business.

Can I apply if I am under 21?
No. You must be at least 21 years old by the application due date for that cycle.

Does my business need to be incorporated a certain way?
Your company must be for‑profit, majority‑owned and controlled by women, formed under U.S. law, and operating in the United States. LLCs, corporations, and similar structures are generally fine as long as they meet those criteria.

Can previous applicants reapply?
Yes, unless the Foundation states otherwise for a specific cycle. In fact, reapplying with stronger traction and a clearer plan can sometimes work in your favor.

What are my chances of being selected?
The program is competitive, but it is not a lottery. Well‑crafted, honest applications from businesses with real traction and thoughtful growth plans do rise to the top. You can’t control the pool, but you can absolutely control the quality of your submission.

How to Apply and Next Steps

If you are reading this and thinking, “This is exactly where my business is,” then treat this program like a priority project, not a side errand.

Here is a concrete path forward:

1. Confirm eligibility. Make sure you meet the revenue, ownership, residency, and business criteria. If you are on the edge, clarify your numbers now.

2. Block dedicated application time. Put 2–3 recurring blocks on your calendar over the next several weeks. Protect them like you would a major client call.

3. Gather your data. Pull your last year of revenue, customer metrics, and any impact data. Jot down 3–5 key wins (contracts, partnerships, milestones) from the past year.

4. Draft your core story. In a simple document, write:

   • What your company does
   • Who you serve
   • How you make money
   • Your traction
   • Why this is the right moment for you to join the fellowship

5. Prepare your video pitch outline. Even if you have not confirmed whether it is required for this cycle, planning this will sharpen your overall narrative.

6. Have one trusted person review everything. Choose someone who will be honest, not just kind.

When you are ready, apply directly through the official program page:

Get Started

Ready to apply or want to read the official program details straight from the source? Start here:

Visit the official Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program page:
https://www.toryburchfoundation.org/fellows/

Use that page to confirm this cycle’s exact deadlines, requirements, and application portal link, then get your materials in well before November 1, 2024.

If your business is ready, this fellowship can be the difference between slowly slogging uphill alone and scaling with a serious community at your back.