Women’s Business Ownership Assistance
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
Women's Business Centers (WBCs) are a part a national network of entrepreneurship centers throughout the United States and its territories, which are designed to assist women in starting and growing small businesses.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Small Business Person
- Nonprofit Organization
Applicants must be a private non-profit organization certified under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and have experience providing technical services to women, and other entrepreneurs.
To the extent that they satisfy all eligibility criteria the same as all other applicant organizations, Faith based Organizations are entitled to compete for Federal financial assistance (grants and/or cooperative agreements) used to support government programs. Generally, such organizations are not required to alter their religious character to participate in a government program, nor to cease engaging in explicitly religious activities outside the program, nor effectively to relinquish their Federal statutory protections for religious hiring decisions.
Beneficiaries
- Small Business Person
Women entrepreneurs starting their own business or expanding their existing business.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Proposals of eligible applicants are evaluated by a review panel. Candidates for sustainability awards also undergo a site review as appropriate. The SBA/Office of Women's Business Ownership issues an award to each approved applicant.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 90 to 120 days
Program details & compliance
Description
Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) are a part a national network of entrepreneurship centers throughout the United States and its territories, which are designed to assist women in starting and growing small businesses.
Mission Categories
Primary: Small Business
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
To establish women's business centers (WBCs) for the benefit of small business concerns owned and controlled by women. The services provided by the women's business centers must include financial, management, procurement and marketing assistance to start-up or established concerns, as well as mentoring and Internet services. Program participants that successfully complete the initial 5-year grant may apply for a 3-year renewal grant. Successful participants may renew the grant every 3 years.
Matching Requirements
For the initial phase WBC awards, the non-Federal entities are required to match awarded funds on a 1:2 ratio for the first 2 years of the grant and a 1:1 ratio for the subsequent 3 years.
For Renewal grants, the non-Federal entities are required to match awarded funds on a 1:1 ratio for each of the 3 years of the grant.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements