WBC Modernization Initiative FY26
🏛 Small Business Administration (SBA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for nonprofits and organizations seeking to establish or expand Women's Business Centers (WBCs) that serve women entrepreneurs. Applicants must be located in and serve Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, or Wyoming. Organizations must be able to serve as a Lead Center directing a network of Service Centers for statewide or territory-wide coverage. Selected awardees will design an integrated service delivery approach for their state or territory.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to invite proposals for funding to establish a Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) modernization and alignment initiative. This initiative will establish a Lead Center Model, supported by a network of Service Centers, to deliver coordinated, statewide or territory-wide business services. To support a more evenly distributed funding allocation by population, this competition is limited to applicants in the following states: Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands, West Virgina, and Wyoming. Selected awardees must reside in the state in which it will serve as a Lead Center. Selected awardees will be responsible for designing and executing an integrated service delivery approach that ensures comprehensive coverage and aligns resources with the needs of the local entrepreneurs.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal application form)
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity/experience documentation
- Evidence of cost-share commitment
- Organizational chart and key personnel resumes
- Letters of support from network partners
Program contact
- 👤 Small Business Administration
- 📧 support@grants.gov
- 📞 202 619 0603
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 59.043 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$674,890
-
$673,852
-
$656,154
-
$639,506
-
$633,521
-
$537,234
-
$522,669
-
$479,230
-
$475,723
-
$449,810
Top States by Funding
- CA 15 awards $4.9M
- NY 10 awards $3.7M
- CT 5 awards $2.0M
- TX 4 awards $2.0M
- PR 4 awards $1.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 59.043). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $24,004,811 | |
| 2025 | $17,632,250 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits and organizations in Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, or Wyoming. You must be capable of serving as a statewide or territory-wide Lead Center.
What is the award amount?
Each award is $250,000. Cost sharing is required as a match.
What services must I provide?
You must deliver coordinated, comprehensive business services through a Lead Center Model. You'll design integrated service delivery with a network of Service Centers.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is August 10, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What type of funding is this?
Awards are made as Cooperative Agreements. This means active SBA involvement in the project.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Geographic restriction is strict. You must be located in one of the eight eligible states and serve that state/territory exclusively.
- Cost sharing is required. Budget your match carefully and secure commitments from partners before applying.
- Lead Center model means you'll coordinate multiple service providers. Plan your network and governance structure in advance.
- Focus your narrative on how you'll ensure equitable geographic coverage and reach underserved entrepreneurs in your state.
- Demonstrate capacity to manage a cooperative agreement. Show prior experience managing grants and partner networks.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants from ineligible states apply anyway and waste effort. Underestimating the cost-share requirement and failing to secure match commitments upfront. Proposing vague service delivery plans without a clear operational Lead Center model and Service Center network.
Similar grants
- OPEN FY26 Women Business Center Renewal Announcement — Small Business Administration
- ROLLING Small Business Development Centers — Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- OPEN SERVICE CORP OF RET EXECUTIVES (SCORE) 2026-01 — Small Business Administration
- CLOSING SOON Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program — Small Business Administration
- CLOSED FY 2026 WIC Infrastructure Grant — Food and Nutrition Service