The mission of the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut.
Women's Business Development Council Inc stands out for pairing women-owned business support with a substantial child care grant portfolio in Connecticut. In 2023, it awarded $47,000 to Baby Beluga Family Daycare Inc in Norwalk, the largest grant in the recent list, alongside a wide set of child care awards to providers in Stamford, Waterbury, Hartford, Danbury, Shelton, and other Connecticut communities. That mix shows a funder working across two connected parts of the local economy: early childhood care and small business ownership. The foundation also backs business growth in stages. Recent programs include Launch Pad for early-stage women-owned businesses, Ignite for established women-owned businesses, and Accelerate for previous WBDC grant recipients seeking another step up in scale. In 2025, it awarded $25,000 to John Allen Co Inc Dba Allens Plumbing Sup in Seymour under a flood-recovery program, showing that emergency support sits alongside its longer-term growth work. Across the grant record, the organization favors direct operating support and practical capital that helps a business keep serving customers, repair facilities, or expand capacity.
A major theme is child care continuity. WBDC’s 2023 grants supported providers such as Colchester Alt School-aged Total Learn with $35,630 and Tammy Maslauskas Daycare with $32,500, both under child care grant funding. The pattern points to support for licensed child care operations and the facilities they need to stay open. Women-owned business launch and expansion is another clear lane. Through Launch Pad, the foundation offers $2,500 grants for early-stage Connecticut women-owned businesses, while Ignite provides $2,500 to $10,000 for established women-owned businesses seeking growth and expansion. Accelerate then steps in at $25,000 for prior WBDC recipients. It also funds place-based economic development. The Waterbury City-WBDC Grant Program offers up to $10,000 for eligible Waterbury-based businesses, including a partnership model that extends beyond women-owned firms in that city program.
Typical awards are small to mid-sized, with a p25 of $9,552, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $20,000. The recent record also includes a distinct $25,000 follow-on grant level for Accelerate and flood-response awards at the same amount. The pattern suggests a mix of standard operating-style grants and larger, targeted capital infusions. The foundation appears to fund repeatedly across program lines rather than as a one-off donor: its public programs include Launch Pad, Ignite, Equity Match, Waterbury city grants, child care emergency facilities support, and Accelerate as a continuation grant for prior recipients. It accepts unsolicited applications for several Connecticut-wide programs, including Child Care Business Emergency Facilities, Launch Pad, Ignite, and Equity Match. The organization does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$2.3M
$12.9M
$8.2M
$7.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
FRAN PASTORE
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Grantmaking is entirely within Connecticut, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. The recent list reaches many cities, including Norwalk, Colchester, Newington, Enfield, Stratford, Stamford, Danbury, Waterbury, Hartford, Shelton, and Seymour. Waterbury appears in both child care and business grant records, while Stamford shows up multiple times as well. The foundation’s geography is local rather than national, and its giving follows Connecticut communities closely.
The foundation funds Connecticut women-owned businesses, child care providers, and local businesses in specific city programs. Its active programs include Launch Pad, Ignite, Accelerate, Child Care Business Emergency Facilities, Equity Match, and Waterbury City-WBDC grants.
Typical awards cluster around $10,000: the p25 is $9,552, the median is $10,000, and the p75 is $20,000. The program list also includes fixed $2,500 grants and $25,000 follow-on awards.
Yes, for several programs. The active program list shows unsolicited applications are accepted for Child Care Business Emergency Facilities, Launch Pad, Ignite, and Equity Match. Waterbury City-WBDC is listed as not accepting unsolicited applications.
Its grantmaking is local to Connecticut. All listed grants in the recipient country distribution are in the US, and 100% of grants go to recipients in Connecticut, including cities such as Norwalk, Stamford, Waterbury, Hartford, and Seymour.
Yes. The Accelerate Grant Program awards $25,000 to previous WBDC grant recipients, specifically organizations that previously received Ignite, Equity Match Grant, or Municipal Grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Women's Business Development Council that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses in Connecticut needing urgent facilities projects to remain open and safe.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHERN CT HEBREW ACADEMY | ORANGE, CT | $41,705 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| TINY LEARNERS CHILDCARE | HARTFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| AABBCC EARLY LEARNING CENTER 2 | DANBURY, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| KCOLORFULDAYCARE #3 | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| DR BARBARA DUNE OD LLC | MANCHESTER, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING) |
| LITTLE RASCALS NURSERY SCHOOL INC | DANBURY, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| SILK CITY COFFEE | MANCHESTER, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING) |
| LITTLE SPROUTS LEARNING CENTER INC | GUILFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| ROCIO'S LEARNING DEVELOPMENT CENTER LLC | NAUGATUCK, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| NAY'S LITTLE RASCALS PRE-SCHOOL LLC | STRATFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| WILLOW ACADEMY LLC | SEYMOUR, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| TEACHER TOTS LLC | STRATFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| BLOOM BAKE SHOP LLC | HARTFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING) |
| RHODES COLLAR LLC | STONINGTON, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING) |
| LITTLE EXPLORERS ACADEMY LLC | PUTNAM, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| HONEY TREE PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE | WILTON, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| ARTILIGHTEN LLC | WATERTOWN, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING) |
| MISS NICOLE'S CLC LLC | WOODBRIDGE, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| SADIE'S PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICES LLC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING) |
| LEXIE'S LITTLE LILLIES LLC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| EDGEWOOD ACADEMY LLC | STAMFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| AROUND THE CLOCK 4 TOTS LLC | NEWINGTON, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| METZUYAN CHILDCARE INC | WATERBURY, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| CERAMICS BY KIARA MATOS | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING) |
| LITTLE ANGELS WORKSHOP | HARTFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| THE STUDIO FAIRFIELD | FAIRFIELD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING) |
| TOGETHER WE CAN LEARNING CENTER LLC | WATERBURY, CT | $23,700 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| WILDFLOWER PRESCHOOL LLC | WESTBROOK, CT | $19,082 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| THE CARROT PATCH LLC DBACARROT PATCH EARLY LEARNING CENTER | CLINTON, CT | $16,997 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| LITTLE SCHOLARS LEARNING ACADEMY | PLAINVILLE, CT | $16,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF BRANFORD | BRANFORD, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| THE COZY DEN CHILDCARE | NEW HAVEN, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| BIG DREAMS ELC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| TIA MAY MCCALL INC | NORTH STONINGTON, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| THE RIVERFRONT CHILDREN'S CENTER | GROTON, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| SANTA'S FAMILY DAY CARE LLC | WATERBURY, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| REGIONAL YMCA OF WESTERN CONNECTICUT INC YMCA CHILDREN'S C | BROOKFIELD, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| BONNIE DRISCOLLKID'S CORNER CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOL LLC | SOUTH WINDSOR, CT | $14,640 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| KIDDY CARE PLAYSCHOOL | STAMFORD, CT | $14,139 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| KIDS KOLLEGE DAYCARE CORP | WATERBURY, CT | $13,744 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| FANNY A RODRIGUEZ DBANINA SWEET HOME DAYCARE | BETHEL, CT | $13,655 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| TINY BLESSINGS DAYCARE INC | STRATFORD, CT | $13,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| JUDITH M TAYLOR | NEW MILFORD, CT | $12,500 | 2026 | DECD GRANT POOL |
| JEANNETH YEPEZ DBAGOLDEN FAMILY DAYCARE LLC | NAUGATUCK, CT | $12,500 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| CELESTE GABRIEL DBASWEET DREAMS DAYCARE LLC | DANBURY, CT | $12,000 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| ROCIO FAMILY DAYCARE LLC | WATERBURY, CT | $11,868 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| ANGELES FAMILY DAYCARE INC | WATERBURY, CT | $11,436 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| TINY STEPS HOME DAYCARE LLC | DANBURY, CT | $11,400 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| CYDS KIDS FAMILY CHILDCARE | SOUTH WINDSOR, CT | $10,856 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
| ANGELICA CERVANTES DBASMART KIDS FAMILY DAYCARE LLC | WATERBURY, CT | $10,640 | 2026 | OEC GRANT POOL |
SOUTHERN CT HEBREW ACADEMY
$41,705OEC GRANT POOL
TINY LEARNERS CHILDCARE
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
AABBCC EARLY LEARNING CENTER 2
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
KCOLORFULDAYCARE #3
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
DR BARBARA DUNE OD LLC
$25,000OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING)
LITTLE RASCALS NURSERY SCHOOL INC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
SILK CITY COFFEE
$25,000OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING)
LITTLE SPROUTS LEARNING CENTER INC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
ROCIO'S LEARNING DEVELOPMENT CENTER LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
NAY'S LITTLE RASCALS PRE-SCHOOL LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
WILLOW ACADEMY LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
TEACHER TOTS LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
BLOOM BAKE SHOP LLC
$25,000OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING)
RHODES COLLAR LLC
$25,000OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING)
LITTLE EXPLORERS ACADEMY LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
HONEY TREE PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
ARTILIGHTEN LLC
$25,000OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING)
MISS NICOLE'S CLC LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
SADIE'S PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICES LLC
$25,000OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING)
LEXIE'S LITTLE LILLIES LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
AROUND THE CLOCK 4 TOTS LLC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
METZUYAN CHILDCARE INC
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
CERAMICS BY KIARA MATOS
$25,000OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING)
LITTLE ANGELS WORKSHOP
$25,000OEC GRANT POOL
THE STUDIO FAIRFIELD
$25,000OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT POOL (PRIVATE FUNDING)
TOGETHER WE CAN LEARNING CENTER LLC
$23,700OEC GRANT POOL
WILDFLOWER PRESCHOOL LLC
$19,082OEC GRANT POOL
THE CARROT PATCH LLC DBACARROT PATCH EARLY LEARNING CENTER
$16,997OEC GRANT POOL
LITTLE SCHOLARS LEARNING ACADEMY
$16,000OEC GRANT POOL
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF BRANFORD
$15,000OEC GRANT POOL
THE COZY DEN CHILDCARE
$15,000OEC GRANT POOL
BIG DREAMS ELC
$15,000OEC GRANT POOL
TIA MAY MCCALL INC
$15,000OEC GRANT POOL
THE RIVERFRONT CHILDREN'S CENTER
$15,000OEC GRANT POOL
SANTA'S FAMILY DAY CARE LLC
$15,000OEC GRANT POOL
BONNIE DRISCOLLKID'S CORNER CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOL LLC
$14,640OEC GRANT POOL
KIDDY CARE PLAYSCHOOL
$14,139OEC GRANT POOL
KIDS KOLLEGE DAYCARE CORP
$13,744OEC GRANT POOL
FANNY A RODRIGUEZ DBANINA SWEET HOME DAYCARE
$13,655OEC GRANT POOL
TINY BLESSINGS DAYCARE INC
$13,000OEC GRANT POOL
JUDITH M TAYLOR
$12,500DECD GRANT POOL
JEANNETH YEPEZ DBAGOLDEN FAMILY DAYCARE LLC
$12,500OEC GRANT POOL
CELESTE GABRIEL DBASWEET DREAMS DAYCARE LLC
$12,000OEC GRANT POOL
ROCIO FAMILY DAYCARE LLC
$11,868OEC GRANT POOL
ANGELES FAMILY DAYCARE INC
$11,436OEC GRANT POOL
TINY STEPS HOME DAYCARE LLC
$11,400OEC GRANT POOL
CYDS KIDS FAMILY CHILDCARE
$10,856OEC GRANT POOL
ANGELICA CERVANTES DBASMART KIDS FAMILY DAYCARE LLC
$10,640OEC GRANT POOL