Though I only found one actual grant for women starting their own business, I did find a number of Web sites of organizations that offer help to women starting their own business, including a couple that are set up specifically to help women restaurateurs. I emailed the latter organizations regarding grant resource information but have yet to receive a response. I've included links below to these organizations and some others that might offer some help to you in your search for funding. From the research I've done, it does seem that there are special grants available to women starting their own business. Perhaps you will have better luck emailing these organizations and getting a response.
Small Business Administration Office of Women's Business Ownership
and the one actual grant I found...
Also, you may want to contact your local library and/or city hall. According to the article "Small Business Grants for Women" on the Web site Digital-Women.com, "[T]here are many state development agencies, non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions and local government, which offer grants to expand and enhance small businesses." If you read to the end of this article you will see some links to information about business grants for women.
