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    Women's Business Development Council

    ActiveEducation
    STAMFORD, CTWebsite2033531750

    About Women's Business Development Council

    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.

    Focus Areas

    Women entrepreneurs and small business developmentSmall business grants and fundingBusiness advising and capacity buildingChild care business support and grantsTraining, mentoring, and networking

    Who They Fund

    child care providers/early childhood centerschild care facilities impacted by flooding/disastersfamilies and children who rely on local child care services

    Funding Style

    start-up funding

    About Women's Business Development Council

    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.

    What Women's Business Development Council Funds

    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.

    How Women's Business Development Council Gives

    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.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $8.6M

    Total Assets

    $12.5M

    Total Revenue

    $19.3M

    Total Expenses

    $13.9M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $10K and $20K, with a median of $10K.

    25th Percentile

    $10K

    Median

    $10K

    75th Percentile

    $20K

    Geographic Reach

    Local5 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    FRAN PASTORE

    Deep Analysis

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceYour privacy choicesEnvironmental footprintSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 06-1493737Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $12.5M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    expansion/scale-up grants
    emergency/disaster relief funding
    capital/facilities grants
    accelerated capacity building

    Topics

    child care facility development and repairpost-flood disaster recovery for child care providersemergency facilities stabilizationchild care access expansionprogram acceleration/rapid scale support

    Where Women's Business Development Council Makes Grants

    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.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Women's Business Development Council

    What kinds of organizations does Women’s Business Development Council Inc fund?

    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.

    What is the typical grant size?

    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.

    Does Women’s Business Development Council Inc accept unsolicited applications?

    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.

    Where does the foundation give?

    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.

    Does the foundation make follow-on grants to prior recipients?

    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.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Women's Business Development Council that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $15K

    Child Care Business Emergency Facilities Grant Program

    Child careFacilities repairEmergency support+1 more

    Who can apply: Licensed Connecticut child care providers (centers, group, and family homes) that can demonstrate an urgent facilities repair need, are committed to remaining in business, and cannot cover the requested expenses from business income or savings.

    Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis (rolling/monthly review); no single fixed deadline listed.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    ROWLEDGE POND AQUACULTURE LLCSANDY HOOK, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    MJ BANKSEYMOUR, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    PJE ENTERPRISES LLCMONROE, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    CLUB UNIAO PORTUGUESANAUGATUCK, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    LAKESIDE WINE & LIQUORMONROE, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    THE WATERVIEW LLCMONROE, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    VILLAGE COIFFURES LLCSEYMOUR, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    OLDE SAWMILL MINIATURE GOLFGRILLNORTH PORT, FL$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    JOHN ALLEN CO INC DBA ALLENS PLUMBING SUPSEYMOUR, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    CREATIVE STARTS LEARNING CENTEROXFORD, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    A LITTLE MORE SPACE STEVENSON LLCEASTON, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    MASSARO CO LLCOAKVILLE, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    NEW HORIZONS STONE LLCMONROE, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    GROWING SEEDS ACADEMY LLCBROOKFIELD, CT$25,0002025EMERGENCY FACILITIES GRANT
    ESSEX PRE-SCHOOL LTDESSEX, CT$25,0002025START-UP GRANT
    ZWALLY ENTERPRISEMONROE, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    S'ELOHSSAS CAFE LLCNAUGATUCK, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    SUNSHINE LAVENDER FARM CTWATERBURY, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    BABY BELUGA FAMILY DAYCARE INCNORWALK, CT$25,0002025EMERGENCY FACILITIES GRANT
    CEDAR GABLES PRESCHOOL & CHILDCAREDANBURY, CT$25,0002025START UP GRANT
    LITTLE LAMBS FAMILY CHILD CAREDANBURY, CT$25,0002025START-UP GRANT
    CARITAS FELICES 2BETHEL, CT$25,0002025START-UP GRANT
    TOWN LINE BODY SHOPMONROE, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    DIVINO NINO DAYCARE CORPWATERBURY, CT$25,0002025EMERGENCY FACILITIES GRANT
    WILLOW CREEK EQUESTRIAN CENTER LLCSOUTHBURY, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    ANTHONY MONGILLO DBA WATER ST BARBERSHOPNAUGATUCK, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    AMIE LORING HORSE TRAINING LLCSOUTHBURY, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    BULLET PROPERTIES LLCWATERTOWN, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    SANDY'S EXCAVATING LLCMONROE, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    ALZ LLC DBA OXFORD HOUSE TAVERNRD OXFORD, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    STONECREST FARM LLCSOUTHBURY, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    SC59 INTESTMENTS LLCRIDGEFIELD, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK RIVER VALLEY TRLGEORGETOWN, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    K J'S EAGLES NEST LEARNING CENTERWATERBURY, CT$25,0002025START-UP GRANT
    THE NEW CANAAN COMMUNITY YMCA INCNEW CANAAN, CT$25,0002025START-UP GRANT
    DESANTIS FARMMIDDLEBURY, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    KM URSO & COMPANY LLCSANDY HOOK, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    NEWBURY PLACE 20 LLCSOUTHBURY, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    PLANET PIZZA ON MAIN LLCNORWALK, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    GOBINDS COOKS NOOK LLCWILTON, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    SEYMOUR NAILS & SPA INCSEYMOUR, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    R KIDS INCNEW HAVEN, CT$25,0002025EMERGENCY FACILTIES GRANT
    GEORGETOWN ARTS & CULTURAL CENTERREDDING, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    SUNSET FARM CT LLCNAUGATUCK, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    MARIA SABLA WELLNESS STUDIONEWTOWN, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    BETYAR REALTYWILTON, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTERSTAMFORD, CT$25,0002025START-UP GRANT
    CONAWAY DESIGN LLCSANDY HOOK, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    OVERBROOK ASSOCIATES LLCREDDING, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT
    THE LAGASSE COMPANYWATERBURY, CT$25,0002025DECD FLOOD GRANT

    ROWLEDGE POND AQUACULTURE LLC

    $25,000
    SANDY HOOK, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    MJ BANK

    $25,000
    SEYMOUR, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    PJE ENTERPRISES LLC

    $25,000
    MONROE, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    CLUB UNIAO PORTUGUESA

    $25,000
    NAUGATUCK, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    LAKESIDE WINE & LIQUOR

    $25,000
    MONROE, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    THE WATERVIEW LLC

    $25,000
    MONROE, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    VILLAGE COIFFURES LLC

    $25,000
    SEYMOUR, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    OLDE SAWMILL MINIATURE GOLFGRILL

    $25,000
    NORTH PORT, FL2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    JOHN ALLEN CO INC DBA ALLENS PLUMBING SUP

    $25,000
    SEYMOUR, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    CREATIVE STARTS LEARNING CENTER

    $25,000
    OXFORD, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    A LITTLE MORE SPACE STEVENSON LLC

    $25,000
    EASTON, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    MASSARO CO LLC

    $25,000
    OAKVILLE, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    NEW HORIZONS STONE LLC

    $25,000
    MONROE, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    GROWING SEEDS ACADEMY LLC

    $25,000
    BROOKFIELD, CT2025

    EMERGENCY FACILITIES GRANT

    ESSEX PRE-SCHOOL LTD

    $25,000
    ESSEX, CT2025

    START-UP GRANT

    ZWALLY ENTERPRISE

    $25,000
    MONROE, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    S'ELOHSSAS CAFE LLC

    $25,000
    NAUGATUCK, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    SUNSHINE LAVENDER FARM CT

    $25,000
    WATERBURY, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    BABY BELUGA FAMILY DAYCARE INC

    $25,000
    NORWALK, CT2025

    EMERGENCY FACILITIES GRANT

    CEDAR GABLES PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE

    $25,000
    DANBURY, CT2025

    START UP GRANT

    LITTLE LAMBS FAMILY CHILD CARE

    $25,000
    DANBURY, CT2025

    START-UP GRANT

    CARITAS FELICES 2

    $25,000
    BETHEL, CT2025

    START-UP GRANT

    TOWN LINE BODY SHOP

    $25,000
    MONROE, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    DIVINO NINO DAYCARE CORP

    $25,000
    WATERBURY, CT2025

    EMERGENCY FACILITIES GRANT

    WILLOW CREEK EQUESTRIAN CENTER LLC

    $25,000
    SOUTHBURY, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    ANTHONY MONGILLO DBA WATER ST BARBERSHOP

    $25,000
    NAUGATUCK, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    AMIE LORING HORSE TRAINING LLC

    $25,000
    SOUTHBURY, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    BULLET PROPERTIES LLC

    $25,000
    WATERTOWN, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    SANDY'S EXCAVATING LLC

    $25,000
    MONROE, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    ALZ LLC DBA OXFORD HOUSE TAVERN

    $25,000
    RD OXFORD, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    STONECREST FARM LLC

    $25,000
    SOUTHBURY, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    SC59 INTESTMENTS LLC

    $25,000
    RIDGEFIELD, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK RIVER VALLEY TRL

    $25,000
    GEORGETOWN, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    K J'S EAGLES NEST LEARNING CENTER

    $25,000
    WATERBURY, CT2025

    START-UP GRANT

    THE NEW CANAAN COMMUNITY YMCA INC

    $25,000
    NEW CANAAN, CT2025

    START-UP GRANT

    DESANTIS FARM

    $25,000
    MIDDLEBURY, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    KM URSO & COMPANY LLC

    $25,000
    SANDY HOOK, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    NEWBURY PLACE 20 LLC

    $25,000
    SOUTHBURY, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    PLANET PIZZA ON MAIN LLC

    $25,000
    NORWALK, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    GOBINDS COOKS NOOK LLC

    $25,000
    WILTON, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    SEYMOUR NAILS & SPA INC

    $25,000
    SEYMOUR, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    R KIDS INC

    $25,000
    NEW HAVEN, CT2025

    EMERGENCY FACILTIES GRANT

    GEORGETOWN ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER

    $25,000
    REDDING, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    SUNSET FARM CT LLC

    $25,000
    NAUGATUCK, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    MARIA SABLA WELLNESS STUDIO

    $25,000
    NEWTOWN, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    BETYAR REALTY

    $25,000
    WILTON, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER

    $25,000
    STAMFORD, CT2025

    START-UP GRANT

    CONAWAY DESIGN LLC

    $25,000
    SANDY HOOK, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    OVERBROOK ASSOCIATES LLC

    $25,000
    REDDING, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT

    THE LAGASSE COMPANY

    $25,000
    WATERBURY, CT2025

    DECD FLOOD GRANT