The Women’s Business Development Council is pleased to offer grants of up to $10,000 to qualified small business owners who live in Connecticut.
Grants are available to women–owned and/or minority–owned businesses in Connecticut and are designed to help these businesses pivot, expand or restructure during pandemic times and beyond.
Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 may be given for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business. Applicants are required to match 25% of the grant funding with their own money. For example, a client who receives a $10,000 grant to purchase additional software to improve the efficiency of their operations must have invested, as a match, $2,500 in their businesses over the past 12 months or be able to invest an incremental $2,500 of their own funds in that purchase.
Qualified Applicants
• Women owned/minority owned business
• Prior participation in WBDC programs or services
• In business with a record of sales for a minimum of one-year
• Business registered in CT and in good standing with the State
• Utilize online/automated financial system – POS, Quickbooks, Xero, etc.
• Have established business banking relationship
• Have clear and specific use for the grant money
Note: Businesses cannot be engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law or that can reasonably be determined to support or facilitate any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law.
Application Requirements
• Complete and submit a WBDC Intake Form
• Complete and submit a WBDC Equity Match Grant Application (utilize screener tool below to access)
• Provide a Use of Funds Statement (100 words or less) with the grant amount requested, how the funds will be used, and what impact the grant will have. The Use of Funds Statement must be supported by proposals, quotes and/or paid invoices evidencing planned use.
• Submit a current and complete business plan including:
a) Current financial statements (must include at least 2 years of Profit & Loss Statements)
b) 3–year financial projections clearly demonstrating impact of the grant funds
• Submit evidence of business ownership (e.g. Articles of Incorporation/Organization)
• Provide a Letter of Good Standing from the CT Department of Revenue Services (obtain here)
• Provide two years of business tax returns
• Provide proof of Connecticut residency (e.g. Driver’s License)
• Provide a copy of the most recent bank statement for the business checking account
All applicants must also:
• Participate in a virtual assessment interview with WBDC Staff.
• Be able to “match” 25% of the amount of the grant with incremental money or money that has already been invested in the business over the last 12 months.
Please submit completed application package to WBDC at microgrants@ctwbdc.org.