WASHINGTON – Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced four funding opportunities for Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) totaling $30 million. This initiative includes support for the expansion of the WBC network, the establishment of a WBC in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and specialized funding for WBCs focusing on federal contracting and child care businesses.
The SBA also revealed that WBC funding will now be available to organizations offering predominantly virtual counseling and training services to women-owned small businesses nationwide. This move acknowledges the growing importance of digital services and aims to extend SBA's reach to entrepreneurs without convenient access to existing WBCs, including those in rural communities, tribal lands, and military families.
“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA’s expanded network of WBCs is meeting new and established women business owners where they are and working to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs,” said Administrator Guzman. “With this funding expansion for WBCs, the SBA will better meet the increased demand stemming from high rates of entrepreneurship among women under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Small Business Boom.”
These specialized WBCs will join an extensive network of 152 in-person centers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Eligible applicants must be non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status providing entrepreneurial development services to socially and economically disadvantaged women within the U.S. and its territories. Selected organizations will receive up to $150,000 to establish and operate a WBC.
The four funding opportunities include:
1. Funding to assist women business owners in government contracting with application readiness for certification in Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Programs.
2. Funding for entrepreneurial development services focused on child care services.
3. General entrepreneurial development services with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs outside existing WBC geographical areas within the United States and its territories.
4. Funding to support a new WBC in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Every new WBC helps open doors for women entrepreneurs who need access to training and practical assistance,” said Christina Hale, Assistant Administrator for SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership. “By investing in women's economic potential, the SBA is fostering innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening our communities.”
A virtual workshop will be held for interested organizations seeking more information about these grant opportunities; details will be provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Questions about these grants should be directed to SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership at owbo@sba.gov.