Thanks for being part of our community and for your part in supporting women small business owners.
Million Dollar Women Fund is driven by the belief that talent is distributed equally, but opportunity is not.
In a moment when progress feels fragile, this core belief fuels us. When underrepresented women business owners get access to the right tools, resources, and networks, they rise.
Taking action helps. Even small steps bring hope and momentum.
At Million Dollar Women Fund, we’re not sitting on the sidelines. We’re rolling up our sleeves, helping women every day and finding purpose in what we can do right now to help. Over the past year, incredible people just like you have joined us as board members, advisors, and rising leaders and together we are impacting families, teams and communities.
Over the past year, the MDW Fund has:
Awarded 35 scholarships awarded (20% increase over last year)
Hosted 5 “Women. Work. Wealth.” events, reaching 2,000+ women leaders, executives, professionals, and business owners.
Launched a new Advisory Council of investors, executives, and entrepreneurs who support our mission.
Launched a new Rising Leaders Council, a pipeline of next-gen changemakers
Helping More Women Go Big
There are several meaningful ways to support our work:
Contribute – Every donation, from $25 to $250 or more, helps us expand our reach and deepen our impact.
Volunteer – Serve as a mentor to women entrepreneurs and help guide their growth.
Connect – Introductions to potential funders, partners, or advocates are invaluable. Every new sponsor in 2025 came through a personal connection.
Success Stories
Education Event Series
Women. Work. Wealth.
Grads Gather at Fundraiser
The second annual MDW Fund summer fundraiser, part of the Women. Work. Wealth. series was joyfully held in May at the Yale Club in NYC. Guests enjoyed an inspiring fireside chat with Petrushka Bazin Larsen, Co-founder of Sugar Hill Creamery, and Ann Shoket, CEO of The Li.st and former Seventeen Editor-in-Chief.
MDW Fund scholarship grads shared powerful stories of how access to capital, coaching, and community is helping them scale and thrive.
Wine, Candles and Cocktails
The Women. Work. Wealth. Pop-Up & Panel event took over Pride Global in October in NYC with an unforgettable evening of conversation, connection, and commerce.
Women-owned brands showcased their products, while three powerhouse founders took the stage to share raw, real stories of growth, grit, and resilience.
As founder Aamira Jones of Lovelee Wine reminded us, “Your network is everything. Surround yourself with people who think bigger.”
Why These Scholarships Matter
Founders from underrepresented communities, especially women of color, veterans, and women with disabilities, are launching businesses at record rates. But systemic barriers still stand in the way of growth:
Women of color entrepreneurs earn an average of $47K in annual revenue, compared to $100K–$140K for white women.
Fewer than 1% ever reach $1M in annual revenue.
Only 4% of Black women and 2% of Latinas raise equity financing.
Women with disabilities are nearly twice as likely to be self-employed, yet face higher barriers to capital.
Veteran women founders often lack access to both gender- and military-specific entrepreneurial support networks.
MDW Fund exists to change these stats, one founder at a time.
83% of our graduates increase their revenue, 74% expand their teams, 50% double their revenue, and 15% go on to generate $1M+ annually - that’s 5x the national average.
How to Support
If you want to learn how to be part of our growing community of people who are helping women of color entrepreneurs create thriving businesses and bring about greater economic parity, we'd love to hear from you and find a way for you to get involved.
The number of applicants for scholarships continues to rise and need your help to keep up.
We are extending the Bridge the Gap Campaign with goal of raising $25,000 by September 30th. If anything inspired you here, please consider making a donation of $25, $50 or $100 using the donate button on this page. Every dollar goes to work to help a business owner access coaching, mentorship and alternative capital.
We are so grateful to you and to all the supporters, mentors and partners who make this work possible.
Warmly,
Julia Pimsleur, Founder, MDW Fund - julia@millionwomen.com
Erin Coles, Executive Director, MDW Fund - erin@millionwomen.com
