The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of $300,000 for two grants to established and aspiring Women’s Business Center (WBC) host organizations to provide outcome-oriented business services for women entrepreneurs in Oregon and Washington, D.C. An organization in each location will be awarded one grant of up to $150,000.
The recipients must be private, nonprofit organizations that provide entrepreneurial development services to women. Specifically, the nonprofits serve women in areas that have been socially and economically disadvantaged outside the geographical areas of existing WBCs in Oregon and Washington, D.C.
“One of our main goals here at the SBA is to meet women entrepreneurs where they are. We provide them with the assistance they need. And the WBC network is one of the main ways that we do this,” said Donald Smith, Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership. “Every new WBC represents countless new women small business owners. They get access to critical guidance to help their small businesses develop and grow.”
There was a virtual WBC Applicant Workshop for organizations in Oregon on July 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The Eventbrite registration is www.eventbrite.com/e/wbc-grant-program-applicant-workshop-oregon-tickets-673391982547.
Similarly, there was a virtual WBC Applicant Workshop for organizations in Washington, D.C. on July 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET): www.eventbrite.com/e/wbc-grant-program-applicant-workshop-dc-tickets-675509887257.
How to apply for the SBA grants for a Women’s Business Center in D.C. and Oregon
The grants provide dollars for two private, nonprofit organizations to host a community-based Women’s Business Center in Oregon and the District of Columbia. The successful applicants will receive a renewable grant award of $150,000 annually.
Eligible applicants must have 501(c) tax-exempt status from the U.S. Treasury/Internal Revenue Service and must provide services to the population within the specified areas.
The application acceptance period for this grant opportunity is open through Thursday, August 24, 2023. Post proposals to www.grants.gov Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET. No other methods of submission will be permitted. Proposals submitted after the stipulated deadline will be rejected without being evaluated.
Interested applicants may direct questions about the WBC funding opportunity to Acting Assistant Administrator Donald Smith at owbo@sba.gov. For issues with grants.gov, please visit www.grants.gov/web/grants/support, call the grants.gov Support Line at 1-800-518-4726, or email support@grants.gov.
About the Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO)
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) mission is to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education, and support. OWBO was established in response to an Executive Order in 1979. OWBO provides training, counseling, technical assistance, access to credit and capital, as well as marketing opportunities to women.
To learn more about SBA’s programs and services for women entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov/women. To find other WBC locations and SBA resources, visit www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners. SBA offers resources and support to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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