Women's Business Center- Initial Phase | SB OEDWB 21 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OEDWB 21 004

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering a discretionary grant under the Women’s Business Center (WBC) program to support the launch or re-establishment of a Women’s Business Center serving the City of Rochester, New York. This opportunity is specifically labeled as an “Initial Phase” project, meaning the funding is intended to help an organization begin operations (or restart operations) that deliver core WBC-style entrepreneurial development services. The overall goal is to expand access to high-quality small business training, advising, and support for women entrepreneurs, with a clear emphasis on reaching socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in Rochester, particularly in areas that are not already covered by existing WBC service footprints.

Funding is available for up to one award, with an award ceiling of $150,000. The program is designed to support a single organization that can act as the local hub for women’s entrepreneurship development, offering practical assistance that helps clients start, grow, and sustain small businesses. While the announcement does not list every allowable activity in the text provided, WBC entrepreneurial development services generally include training, counseling, technical assistance, and related support that improves business planning, management skills, access to resources, and readiness for financing and contracting opportunities.

Eligibility is focused on private, non-profit entities that can deliver services to the City of Rochester (NY). The announcement indicates that applicants must have 501(c) tax-exempt status; however, the eligibility data also lists nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, as well as private institutions of higher education, so prospective applicants would need to align their organizational status with the full FOA instructions and SBA eligibility rules. A key program feature is that organizations currently operating, or that have operated, an SBA-funded WBC within the past five years may still apply; if selected, they would be funded as an Initial Phase project. Likewise, an organization that previously operated an SBA-funded WBC but is no longer operating can apply and, if selected, would be treated as an effort to re-establish the center, again under the Initial Phase designation.

The SBA is also making a point of encouraging applications from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and related entities because of their established role in reaching underserved markets. Examples explicitly named include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), institutions affiliated with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with their auxiliary entities. In addition, religious organizations are encouraged to apply, and the notice underscores that participation in the program does not require an organization to change its religious character or stop religious activities outside the federally funded program. The announcement also notes that such organizations do not have to give up federal statutory protections related to religious hiring decisions, while still meeting the WBC program’s eligibility and compliance requirements.

Administratively, this opportunity is issued by the SBA under Funding Opportunity Number SB OEDWB 21 004 and CFDA (now Assistance Listing) 59.043, categorized under Business and Commerce. It is a grant (not a loan or contract), created on August 4, 2021, with an original application closing date of September 1, 2021. In practical terms, the grant is meant to place WBC capacity where it is currently missing in Rochester by selecting one qualified organization to deliver targeted, community-based entrepreneurial support for women, with special attention to those who face social and economic barriers to business ownership.

• The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women's Business Center- Initial Phase" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.043.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 04, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 01, 2021 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for SB OEDWB 21 004

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