What Is the High Five Grant? (Quick Answer)
The High Five Grant for Moms is a business grant program, run by The Mama Ladder, that awards cash prizes to mom entrepreneurs who own for-profit businesses in the U.S. or Canada. It is not a general household or living-expense grant. Applicants submit their entries during the yearly application period, explain the motivation behind their businesses through social media, and advance through a selection process that includes evaluation by judges and audience voting.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the High Five Grant for Mothers:
- What Is the High Five Grant for Moms?
- High Five Grant Benefits
- Who Qualifies for the High Five Grant?
- High Five Grant Application Requirements
- How to Apply for the High Five Grant
- High Five Grant Application Timeline
- Our Experience With Women Entrepreneur Grant Applications
- Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Common Reasons Applications Are Rejected
- High Five Grant Alternatives
- How American Grant Association Can Help
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why the High Five Grant Matters for Mom Entrepreneurs
Running a business while raising kids is hard enough without worrying about where the growth capital will come from. That’s exactly the gap the High Five Grant for Moms was built to fill. For mothers who are also entrepreneurs, grants like this one matter because, unlike a loan, grant funding doesn’t need to be paid back, and it doesn’t dilute ownership the way outside investment often does.
What Is the High Five Grant for Moms?
The High Five Grant for Moms is a business grant competition created by The Mama Ladder, historically co-hosted or sponsored by partners such as Belly Bandit. It has run on a semi-annual or annual basis since 2018, supporting mom entrepreneurs who are growing for-profit companies while raising children.
Unlike broad family financial assistance programs that cover living expenses, childcare costs, or housing support, this High Five Grant program is specifically a business growth grant. It’s aimed at helping women entrepreneurs, including single mothers, working mothers, and stay-at-home moms who run a company on the side, invest grant funding back into their businesses rather than personal expenses.
Because it’s a grant rather than a loan, winners are not required to repay the award, and the program does not take equity in the business. That said, applicants typically pay a small application fee, and the funds raised go back into the grant pool.
Key takeaway: If you’re a mom entrepreneur looking for business grant funding, this program may fit. If you need financial assistance for moms covering childcare, housing, or emergency living expenses, you’ll want to look at government assistance, nonprofit grants, or community grants instead, we cover several alternatives below.
High Five Grant Benefits
Historically, eligibility criteria for the High Five Grant have centered on business ownership and revenue rather than household income, which sets it apart from most financial assistance for moms programs. Requirements have generally included:
- You identify as a mom (including expecting moms, stepmoms, and foster moms)
- You own at least 50% of a for-profit, product- or service-based business
- Your business has generated revenue within a specified annual range in the prior 12 months
- Your company must be based in either the United States or Canada
This differs from many grants for single mothers or grants for stay-at-home moms, which often use household income eligibility, proof of income, or financial hardship as the basis for qualifying rather than business revenue.
Eligibility Checklist
- I identify as a mother, expecting mother, stepmom, or foster mom
- I own 50% or more of a for-profit business
- My business has verifiable revenue history
- My business is based in the U.S. or Canada
- I've confirmed the current cycle's exact income/revenue thresholds on the official site
This differs from many grants for single mothers or grants for stay-at-home moms, which often use household income eligibility, proof of income, or financial hardship as the basis for qualifying rather than business revenue.
Eligibility Checklist
High Five Grant Application Requirements
Applicants have generally needed to prepare:
- A completed online application form describing the business
- A written or video explanation of the "why" behind the business
- A social media post tagging the program and its sponsor, using the program hashtag
- Basic business documentation supporting revenue and ownership claims
- Payment of an application fee (amount and refund policy should be confirmed with the current cycle)
Required Documents Worksheet
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Document
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Why It's Needed
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Confirm With Official Source
|
|---|---|---|
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Business ownership proof
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Confirms you own ≥50% of the business
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Yes
|
|
Revenue records
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Confirms revenue falls within eligible range
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Yes
|
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Business registration details
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Confirms U.S./Canada headquarters
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Yes
|
|
Social media post
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Fulfills the "why" submission requirement
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Yes
|
|
Application fee payment
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Required to submit
|
Yes
|
How to Apply for the High Five Grant
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility for the High Five Grant
Review the current grant cycle’s published rules to confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements. Grant matching service can help identify funding opportunities that align with your organization’s goals, eligibility, and project needs.
Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
Prepare the necessary documents, including ownership records, revenue history, and your business story. Grant resource guidance can help you understand which documents, resources, and supporting materials may be needed for a complete application.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Fill out the grant application form during the official application window. Grant community support services can help you access guidance, resources, and support throughout the application process.
Step 4: Tell Your Story on Social Media
Post your “why” on social media using the required tags and hashtag as part of the application process.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Submit your application before the deadline and pay any required application fee.
Step 6: Track Your Application Status
Monitor your application progress through the judging process and, if selected, the public voting round.
Step 7: Respond to Follow-Up Requests
Provide timely responses to any requests for clarification from the judging panel.
Application Preparation Checklist
- Read the current cycle's official rules in full
- Draft your business "why" story
- Collect revenue and ownership documentation
- Prepare your social media post and required tags
- Set a personal deadline a few days before the official cutoff
- Save confirmation of submission
High Five Grant Application Timeline
The program has typically followed a multi-stage timeline: an application window, a judging period where a panel narrows entries to a set number of finalists, a public voting period, and a final winner announcement. Exact dates move each cycle, so treat any specific dates you see online (including in this article) as historical reference only.
Application Timeline Planner
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Stage
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What Happens
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|---|---|
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Application window
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Applications open and close
|
|
Judging
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Panel reviews all entries and selects finalists
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Public voting
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Public votes for favorite finalist businesses
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|
Winners announced
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Grant recipients are revealed
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Always verify the latest information on the official High Five Grant website before applying, since deadlines shift year to year.
Our Experience With Women Entrepreneur Grant Applications
“Women-Owned” Alone Is Not Enough
Reviewers see hundreds of applications built around identity alone. Being women-owned can be an important part of the story, but the strongest applications go further by presenting a clear business case, explaining the opportunity, and showing why the business is positioned for success.
Strong Budgets Strengthen the Entire Application
A vague, unrealistic, or inflated budget can weaken an otherwise compelling proposal. Reviewers want to understand exactly how the funding will be used and how the investment will contribute to business growth, sustainability, or measurable outcomes.
The Best Proposals Make Reviewers' Jobs Easy
Grant panels often review many applications under tight deadlines. Applications with clear structure, direct answers, and a logical flow stand out because reviewers can quickly understand the business, the funding need, and the expected impact.
Relationships Build Credibility, Not Favoritism
Successful applicants are rarely selected because of personal connections. More often, they build trust by attending funder webinars, asking thoughtful questions, demonstrating reliability through previous reporting, and developing partnerships that align with the funder’s priorities. These actions reduce uncertainty and show preparedness.
Strong Applications Address Concerns Before They Become Questions
Every business has challenges. The strongest proposals acknowledge potential concerns, such as limited revenue history or an early-stage growth plan, and explain how those challenges are being addressed rather than leaving reviewers to make assumptions.
Existing Traction Creates Confidence
Businesses that are already operating, even at an early stage, often appear less risky than ideas that exist only on paper. Demonstrating customers, revenue, partnerships, or progress toward goals can strengthen the overall application.
Local Market Knowledge Adds Strength
Applicants who understand their customers, community, and market environment create more credible growth plans. Specific knowledge and realistic strategies are often more persuasive than broad, generic statements.
These patterns consistently separate competitive applications from weaker ones, and they are the areas where experienced grant research and application support can provide the greatest value.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Apply early rather than waiting until the deadline
- Follow every instruction exactly, including social media tagging rules
- Clearly explain your business's purpose and growth plans
- Double-check that you meet eligibility criteria before submitting
- Keep copies of everything you submit
- Proofread your application for accuracy and completeness
Common Reasons Applications Are Rejected
- Missing or incomplete documentation
- Failing to meet revenue, ownership, or residency eligibility rules
- Submitting after the application deadline
- Skipping the required social media component
- Providing inconsistent or unverifiable information
Avoiding common mistakes can improve your chances of success, explore our guide on Common Grant Application Mistakes for more tips on submitting a stronger application.
High Five Grant Reviews
When reviewing a grant opportunity, including this program, consider the following key factors:
- A clearly stated, published eligibility criteria and application process
- Transparency about past grant recipients and award amounts
- An official website and verifiable sponsor relationships
- Caution around any program that guarantees funding or asks for unusual upfront payments beyond a modest, clearly explained application fee
Treat online testimonials as anecdotal rather than a guarantee of outcome, and cross-check any claims against the program’s own official communications.
High Five Grant Alternatives
Because the High Five Grant is a business-focused award with specific eligibility, many moms will also want to explore broader financial assistance programs.
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Program Type
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Best For
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Repayment Required
|
Typical Eligibility
|
Official Site Available
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
High Five Grant
|
Mom-owned business growth
|
No
|
Business ownership + revenue range
|
Yes
|
|
Government assistance programs
|
Living expenses, childcare, housing
|
No
|
Household income-based
|
Yes
|
|
Nonprofit grants
|
Targeted family or community needs
|
No
|
Varies by organization
|
Varies
|
|
Emergency grants for mothers
|
Urgent financial hardship
|
No
|
Documented hardship
|
Varies
|
|
Education grants for moms
|
Tuition, training costs
|
No
|
Enrollment, income
|
Yes
|
|
Business grants for women
|
Women-owned business growth
|
No
|
Business ownership
|
Varies
|
|
Grants for single mothers
|
Household
|
No
|
Income, dependent children
|
Varies
|
For any option in this table, confirm current eligibility criteria, required documents, and deadlines directly with the issuing organization. If you’re exploring more funding options, check out our guide on Types of Grants in the USA, to learn about different grant categories and opportunities available.
How American Grant Association Can Help
Finding and applying for grants can be challenging, especially when programs have different requirements, eligibility rules, and application processes. The American Grant Association provides guidance to help individuals, families, and organizations better understand available opportunities and prepare more effectively. Support includes:
- Grant Research Service: Identifying relevant grant opportunities and helping you understand which programs may align with your goals, circumstances, and needs.
- Grant Matching Service: Reviewing available options and helping connect your situation with grant programs that have requirements or objectives that may be a closer fit.
- Grant Resource Guidance: Providing clear information about application steps, required documents, deadlines, and resources that can help you navigate the grant process with greater confidence.
- Grant Community Support Services: Offering access to guidance, updates, and educational resources that help you stay informed about funding opportunities and application best practices.
- Complete Grant Support: Providing broader assistance throughout the preparation process, from understanding program requirements to organizing information and improving application readiness.
Every grant program has its own criteria, and funding decisions are made by the organizations providing the grants. Proper grant research, preparation, and understanding of requirements can help applicants approach opportunities more effectively.
Conclusion
The High Five Grant for Moms is a real, established business grant for mom entrepreneurs, not a general household financial assistance program, and understanding that distinction is the first step to applying wisely. If it fits your situation, prepare early, follow the rules exactly, and verify every deadline and requirement on the official website. If it doesn’t fit, plenty of other grants for mothers, grants for single mothers, and community-based financial assistance programs may be closer matches.
Looking for grants for moms?
American Grant Association helps mothers and families find legitimate grant opportunities, verify eligibility, organize documentation, and prepare stronger applications, for the High Five Grant or any other funding opportunity that fits your needs.
Contact American Grant Association today to start your grant research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the High Five Grant for Moms?
It’s a business grant competition for mom entrepreneurs, run by The Mama Ladder, offering cash awards to help grow eligible businesses.
Is the High Five Grant legitimate?
It has operated publicly since 2018 with a documented history of finalists and winners. As with any grant, verify current details directly on the official site.
Who qualifies for the High Five Grant?
Historically, moms who own at least 50% of a for-profit business meeting a set revenue range and based in the U.S. or Canada.
How do I apply for the High Five Grant?
Submit an online application during the open window, share your business “why” on social media, and meet the program’s documentation requirements.
How much money does the High Five Grant provide?
Award amounts have varied by cycle. Check the current prize structure on the official website rather than relying on past figures.
Can single mothers apply for the High Five Grant?
Yes, as long as you meet the business ownership and revenue eligibility rules, regardless of marital status.
What documents are needed for the High Five Grant?
Typically business ownership proof, revenue records, and a completed application; confirm exact required documents with the current cycle.
How long does High Five Grant approval take?
The program has followed a multi-week judging and voting process historically; exact timing varies by cycle.
Where is the official High Five Grant website?
Search for The Mama Ladder’s official High Five Grant page and confirm you’re on their verified domain before applying.
What are the income requirements?
The program has used a business revenue range rather than personal household income; verify current thresholds officially.
Note: This guide is for informational purposes only. Program rules, deadlines, and award amounts change between cycles. Always verify the latest eligibility, deadlines, application requirements, and funding details on the official High Five Grant website before applying.
