The leading national voice and resource for igniting the economic power of women’s entrepreneurship; advocating for, engaging with, and supporting a national network of Women’s Business Centers to help people start, grow, and scale businesses.
Association of Women's Business Centers centers its grantmaking on Women’s Business Centers and the infrastructure that helps women entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale businesses. A large share of its recent support is tied to national partnership programs that blend outreach, training, and partner support, including the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready work and the Skill Forward partnership. The foundation also backs accelerator-style efforts for specific business communities, such as childcare providers and veteran-owned businesses, showing a practical emphasis on business readiness and market access. Its grants often support intermediary organizations rather than individual firms, with awards going to local and regional centers, university-affiliated foundations, chambers, and economic development groups. That pattern matches its role as the national association representing more than 140 Women’s Business Centers. In recent grants, California State University Fresno Foundation received support for Skill Forward and VSBDR, while Black Hills State University Foundation received funding tied to Hope2Women, Skill Forward, and VSBDR. Other awards to organizations such as Great Lakes Women's Business Council and The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship show how the foundation works through a distributed network of partners across the country.
A core theme in the foundation’s grantmaking is digital readiness for small businesses. California State University Fresno Foundation received $47,458 for Skill Forward and VSBDR, while California Capital Fdc received $32,958 for the same pairing, indicating repeated support for digital learning and outreach through partner organizations. It also supports women’s economic empowerment and business capacity building through targeted programs. Black Hills State University Foundation received $35,000 for Hope2Women Funding, Skill Forward, and VSBDR, and The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship received $25,000 for Skill Forward. The foundation funds access-to-capital and lending readiness as well. Atlanta Institute of Financial Markets received $25,000 for an upskilling training subgrant, and Rockville Economic Development received $20,000 for an education for small businesses outreach subgrant. It also supports veteran entrepreneurship through the Veteran Business Accelerator Powered by TikTok, an eight-week virtual e-commerce accelerator.
$342K
$1.2M
$2.2M
$2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 3% of grants go to recipients in CA.
CORINNE GOBLE
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Typical grants cluster tightly around a $10,000 median, with a $10,000 p25 and $14,500 p75. Recent awards include both smaller subgrants and larger program awards, suggesting a mix of network support and targeted project funding. The grantee list shows activity across multiple years, including recurring support for several partner organizations and program lines from 2023 through 2025. Association of Women's Business Centers is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds organizations rather than individuals. Its active grant programs are open to unsolicited applications.
Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based, with 74 grants in the United States and a national scope. Texas is the top state by grant count, though the headquarters is in Washington, DC. Recent awards reached organizations in Fresno and Sacramento, California; Houston and Humble, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; and Jacksonville, Florida. The DC footprint is small, with 2% of grants going to recipients in the District.
It supports intermediary organizations tied to women’s entrepreneurship and small business development, including Women’s Business Centers, university foundations, economic development groups, chambers, and partner organizations running training or outreach programs. Recent grants include awards for digital skills, lending readiness, and business accelerators.
The typical grant is $10,000, with a p25 of $10,000 and a p75 of $14,500. Recent awards also show larger program grants, such as $47,458 and $35,000, alongside smaller awards around $12,500 to $15,000.
No. The grantmaking is national, and only 2% of grants go to recipients in DC. Recent recipients are spread across the country, including California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and South Dakota.
Digital skills and small business education appear frequently, especially through Skill Forward and VSBDR awards. The foundation also supports women’s economic empowerment, access to capital and lending readiness, workforce and technical training, and veteran-owned business support.
Yes. The active programs listed all accept unsolicited applications, including Verizon Small Business Digital Ready WBC Grant Opportunity, the WBC Childcare Accelerator Award Program, Funding Center Cohort FOA, and the Veteran Business Accelerator Powered by TikTok.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Association of Women'S Business Centers that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: WBCs (likely AWBC members); awards are based on cohort participation and lending referrals. Specific eligibility details are provided in the FOA document.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO FOUNDATION | FRESNO, CA | $47,458 | 2025 | SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR |
| BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SPEARFISH, SD | $35,000 | 2025 | HOPE2WOMEN FUNDING, SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR |
| CALIFORNIA CAPITAL FDC | SACRAMENTO, CA | $32,958 | 2025 | SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR |
| FRIENDS OF PUERTO RICO | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2025 | SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR |
| GREAT LAKES WOMEN'S BUSINESS COUNCIL | LIVONIA, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | SKILL FORWARD |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF LOUISIANA - WBC | NEW ORLANS, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | SKILL FORWARD |
| THE CATALYST CENTER FOR BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | SKILL FORWARD |
| WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL | STAMFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | SKILL FORWARD |
| CENTER FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | VSBDR |
| ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE | COLUMBUS, OH | $12,500 | 2025 | VSBDR |
| MISSION COMMUNITY SERVICES CORPORATION | SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | $10,619 | 2025 | VSBDR |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON | ARLINGTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | VSBDR |
| SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE FOUNDATION | CHULA VISTA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | VSBDR |
| JEFFERSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE | MOUNT SHASTA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | VSBDR |
| THE GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTIONAL FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | VSBDR |
| WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | VSBDR |
| SEATTLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND DBA BUSINESS IMPACT NW | TUKWILA, WA | $8,125 | 2025 | SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR |
| SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE FOUNDATION | CHULA VISTA, CA | $35,000 | 2024 | ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANTS; EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| D RICHARDSON GROUP LLC | HUMBLE, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT |
| ATLANTA INSTITUTE OF FINANCIAL MARKETS | EAST POINT, GA | $25,000 | 2024 | UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT |
| ROCKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | ROCKVILLE, MD | $20,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| CDJJ ENTERPRISES LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2024 | UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT |
| WESTERN DAIRYLAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL INC | INDEPENDENCE, WI | $15,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO FOUNDATION | FRESNO, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| SUPERTRIMZ GRASS AND GARDEN | HOUSTON, TX | $15,000 | 2024 | UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT |
| JACKSONVILLE CHAMBER FOUNDATION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT; ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANT |
| RUFF RUFF LIFE LLC | LEXINGTON, KY | $14,500 | 2024 | UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT |
| THE BEAUTIFUL CYCLE | CLEVELAND, OH | $13,500 | 2024 | UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT |
| LIBERTY TAX | PORTSMOUTH VA, VA | $12,000 | 2024 | UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT |
| FRIENDS OF PUERTO RICO | AGUADIALLA, PR | $12,000 | 2024 | DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANT; EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| WOMEN & TECHNOLOGY | BISMARCK, ND | $10,000 | 2024 | ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANT |
| CHATHAM UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANT |
| YWCA OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA | TUCSON, AZ | $10,000 | 2024 | ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANT |
| GREATER HOUSTON WOMEN'S FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANT |
| CALIFORNIA CAPITAL FDC | SACRAMENTO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| JEFFERSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE | MOUNT SHASTA, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| EL PASO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | EL PASO, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| USBC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN INC | TAMPA, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF LOUISIANA - WBC | NEW ORLANS, LA | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| GREAT LAKES WOMEN'S BUSINESS COUNCIL | LIVONIA, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| NEVADA BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FUND | LAS VEGAS, NV | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT |
| LIZZY'S VENDING LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $7,576 | 2024 | UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT |
| FUNDACION SILA M CALDERON INC | SAN JUAN, PR | $7,000 | 2024 | DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANT |
| SISTEMA UNIVERSITARIO ANA G MENDEZ INCORPORADO | SAN JUAN, PR | $7,000 | 2024 | DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANT |
| BABY KAY | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BEVERLY 811 LLC | VACAVILLE, CA | $20,280 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A TOUCH OF FAMILY | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
HOPE2WOMEN FUNDING, SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR
CALIFORNIA CAPITAL FDC
$32,958SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR
FRIENDS OF PUERTO RICO
$30,000SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR
SKILL FORWARD
THE CATALYST CENTER FOR BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
$25,000SKILL FORWARD
WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
$25,000SKILL FORWARD
CENTER FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
$15,000VSBDR
MISSION COMMUNITY SERVICES CORPORATION
$10,619VSBDR
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
$10,000VSBDR
JEFFERSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
$10,000VSBDR
THE GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTIONAL FOUNDATION
$10,000VSBDR
WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC
$10,000VSBDR
SKILL FORWARD AND VSBDR
ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANTS; EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
D RICHARDSON GROUP LLC
$25,000UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT
ATLANTA INSTITUTE OF FINANCIAL MARKETS
$25,000UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT
ROCKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
$20,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
CDJJ ENTERPRISES LLC
$20,000UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT
EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
SUPERTRIMZ GRASS AND GARDEN
$15,000UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT
JACKSONVILLE CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$15,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT; ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANT
RUFF RUFF LIFE LLC
$14,500UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT
THE BEAUTIFUL CYCLE
$13,500UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT
LIBERTY TAX
$12,000UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT
FRIENDS OF PUERTO RICO
$12,000DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANT; EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
WOMEN & TECHNOLOGY
$10,000ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANT
GREATER HOUSTON WOMEN'S FOUNDATION
$10,000ADVOCATE, CONNECT, ENGAGE EDUCATION SUB GRANT
CALIFORNIA CAPITAL FDC
$10,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
JEFFERSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
$10,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
EL PASO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$10,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
USBC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$10,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN INC
$10,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC
$10,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
NEVADA BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FUND
$10,000EDUCATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OUTREACH SUBGRANT
LIZZY'S VENDING LLC
$7,576UPSKILLING TRAINING SUBGRANT
FUNDACION SILA M CALDERON INC
$7,000DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANT
BABY KAY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BEVERLY 811 LLC
$20,280GENERAL SUPPORT
A TOUCH OF FAMILY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT