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Women's Business Ownership Assistance
The Small Business Administration maintains and strengthens the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters.
Women's business ownership representatives in each SBA district office.
See Appendix IV of the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under Small Business Administration.
Relevant Nonprofit Program Categories
Selected Recipients for this Program
| Recipient | Amount | Start Date | End Date | |
| Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez, Incorporado | $ 150,000 | 2021-09-30 | 2026-09-29 | |
| Enterprise Development Fund Of Erie County, Inc. | $ 137,500 | 2021-09-30 | 2026-09-29 | |
| Women's Business Enterprise Council South | $ 150,000 | 2021-09-30 | 2026-09-29 | |
| Friends Of Puerto Rico | $ 150,000 | 2021-09-30 | 2026-09-29 | |
| Sg Atkins Cdc Inc | $ 250,000 | 2021-01-01 | 2025-09-29 | |
| Jackson State University | $ 262,500 | 2021-01-01 | 2025-09-29 | |
| Access To Capital For Entrepreneurs, Inc. | $ 262,500 | 2021-01-01 | 2025-09-29 | |
| Women's Business Enterprise Council South | $ 262,500 | 2021-01-01 | 2025-09-29 | |
| Black Hills State University Foundation | $ 262,500 | 2021-01-01 | 2025-09-29 | |
| Catalyst Center For Business & Entrepreneurship, The | $ 262,500 | 2021-01-01 | 2025-09-29 |
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016: 17335000. Fiscal Year 2017: 18000000. Fiscal Year 2018: 16000000.
Uses and Use Restrictions
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.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Private, nonprofit organizations having experience in effectively training and counseling business women.
Public educational institutions and State and local governments are not eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Women entrepreneurs starting their own business or expanding their existing business.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Applications are accepted in accordance with and up to the date specified in the annual program announcement as posted at www.grants.gov and www.sba.gov/wbc. The applicant must complete the Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Forms 424, 424A and 424B) and submit a written proposal addressing all of the selection criteria stated in the program announcement. The applicant must submit applications/proposals electronically through www.grants.gov (free training on electronic filing is available on the site) by the application closing date.
Award Procedures
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.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Small Business Act, Section 29 (15 U.S.C. 656).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Within 120 days from application deadline.
Appeals
Additional information available at SBA's website at www.sba.gov.
Renewals
Continued annual option awards are issued to successful award recipients through a five-year term without recompetition and also through a three-year term for the renewal recipients.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. 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 entity(ies) are required to match awarded funds on a 1:1 ratio for each of the 3 years of the grant. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Initial and option year awards are issued annually, without recompetition, through the five-year grant term to compliant centers. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Additional information available at SBA's website at www.sba.gov.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Information available at www.sba.gov/wbc.
Information available at www.sba.gov/wbc.
Information available at www.sba.gov/wbc.
Information available at www.sba.gov/wbc.
Information available at www.sba.gov/wbc.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. Applicants must follow the requirements as listed in 2 CFR Chapter 1, Chapter II, Part 200, et al.
Records
The awardee shall maintain and submit detailed, complete and accurate client activity records to reflect clearly the nature and variety of services provided. Financial records must be kept until three years after the completion and submission of the final report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
73-0400-0-1-376.
Obigations
(Project Grants) FY 16 $17,335,000; FY 17 est $18,000,000; and FY 18 est $16,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Additional information available at www.sba.gov/wbc.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
OMB Circular 2 CFR 200.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Women's business ownership representatives in each SBA district office. See Appendix IV of the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under Small Business Administration.
Headquarters Office
Bruce Purdy 409 3rd St., SW 6th Floor, Washington, District of Columbia 20416 Email: bruce.purdy@sba.gov Phone: 202-205-7532
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
As stated in each solicitation for proposals, but including: B. EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR WBC APPLICANT TECHNICAL PROPOSAL a. Mission Alignment and Experience (up to 10 points), b. Organizational Experience and Capacity (up to 15 points), c. Market Assessment for Services Provided (up to 15 points), d. Project Objectives and Milestone (up to 20 points), e. Plans for Marketing and Collaboration with SBA and Other Community and Small Business Organizations (up to 10 points), f. Sources and Leverage of other Funds (up to 5 points), g. Financial Management Capability and Confirmation of Match (up to 15 points), h. Program Evaluation and Economic Impact (up to 5 points), and i. Technological Capabilities (up to 5 points).
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Stepping Stones Charity Bags Social Enterprise Award
Stepping Stones, a UK-registered nonprofit, was awarded as champions in the 'Education, Jobs and Training’ category at the inaugural Social Enterprise Awards, held recently in Londonderry.
