To support and accelerate business development and growth, targeting women and serving all business owners, in order to strengthen their participation in, and impact on, the economy.
A defining feature of Women’s Business Development Center grantmaking is the repeated support for Chicago-area organizations that provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs. The largest recent award in the data is $461,579 to Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for business support services, and the same pattern appears across a range of local intermediary partners. That points to a funder that works through organizations already serving women business owners and broader small-business communities, rather than through individual awards. The foundation’s recent portfolio also shows a mix of capacity-building grants and specialized business-support programs. Allies for Community Business Fka Accion Chicago Inc received $332,917 in 2024 and $309,667 in 2025 for technical assistance to entrepreneurs, while Berwyn Development Corporation received $380,613 in 2024 and $293,567 in 2025 for the same purpose. Chicago-based groups such as Illinois Restaurant Association, Southland Development Authority, Chicago Urban League, and Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council Inc also appear in the recent grants list, reinforcing a consistent intermediary model focused on business development and growth. Programmatically, the foundation’s stated work centers on supporting and accelerating business development and growth, targeting women and serving all business owners. Its active programs include lending, certification fee support, micro-lending facilitation, environmental upgrade support, and entrepreneurship training, which together show a broad toolkit for helping small firms build capacity.
Business support organizations are a major part of the foundation’s grantmaking. Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce received $211,570 in 2025 and $74,622 in 2023 for technical assistance to entrepreneurs, showing continued support for intermediary providers. The foundation also backs business-development groups serving neighborhood economies. Southland Development Authority received $260,328 in 2025 and $204,452 in 2024 for technical assistance to entrepreneurs, while Rogers Park Business Alliance received $49,997 in 2025 for the same kind of support. Smaller business-assistance grants appear as well. In 2023, Waubonsee Community College received $75,311 for small business assistance grants, and The Joseph Center received $50,620 in 2024 for technical assistance to entrepreneurs. Its active programs extend beyond general advising into certification and capital access. The WBE Certification Scholarship Fund covers half of the WBENC/WBDC certification application fee for first-time applicants with gross annual revenues under $500,000, and the WBDC Direct Lending Program provides loan capital to small businesses in Illinois and the Midwest.
$51.9M
$10.2M
$64.8M
$63.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $20K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in IL.
ERICA KUHLMANN
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Women’s Business Development Center gives at a relatively concentrated small-to-mid grant scale: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is also $20,000. That suggests many awards cluster tightly around a modest operating-support level, even though the recent-grants list also includes larger program grants. The same organizations recur across multiple years, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. Allies for Community Business Fka Accion Chicago Inc, Berwyn Development Corporation, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Southland Development Authority, Chicago Urban League, and Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council Inc each appear more than once in the recent grants list. This is an operating grantmaker and program operator: it funds organizations, makes program-related investments, and does not fund individuals. The active programs also show unsolicited entry points, including the Amber Grant Foundation, WBDC Direct Lending Program, WBE Certification Scholarship Fund, Kiva Microlending, BRITE, BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program, Access to Capital, and Aurora’s Finish Line Grant.
Giving is highly local. All recorded grants in the distribution go to recipients in the United States, and 100% of grants are in Illinois. Chicago is the main recipient city, with additional grants in Berwyn, Aurora, Forest Park, and Sugar Grove. The recipient list also includes one broader regional pattern around suburban Cook County through the BRITE Program. Even when the foundation works through statewide or regional intermediaries, the grant recipients themselves are Illinois-based.
It most often funds business support organizations that provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs. Recent recipients include Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Berwyn Development Corporation, Allies for Community Business Fka Accion Chicago Inc, Southland Development Authority, and Chicago Urban League, all funded for entrepreneur support or related business assistance.
No. Its stated summary says it targets women while serving all business owners. The active program list also includes access to capital, direct lending, certification fee support, microloan facilitation, and entrepreneurship training, which are available through organizations serving broader small-business communities.
The typical grant size is tightly clustered: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $20,000. That pattern suggests many awards are made at the $20,000 level, with a smaller share at lower or higher amounts.
It is recurring. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Allies for Community Business Fka Accion Chicago Inc, Berwyn Development Corporation, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Southland Development Authority, Chicago Urban League, and Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council Inc.
It is fully concentrated in Illinois. The grant distribution shows 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state, with recipient cities including Chicago, Berwyn, Aurora, Forest Park, and Sugar Grove.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS FKA ACCION CHICAGO INC | CHICAGO, IL | $309,667 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | BERWYN, IL | $293,567 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $269,228 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| SOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY | CHICAGO, IL | $260,328 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| ILLINOIS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | CHICAGO, IL | $211,570 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| CHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC | CHICAGO, IL | $191,043 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE | CHICAGO, IL | $137,504 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| 36 SQUARED BUSINESS INCUBATOR | CHICAGO, IL | $58,541 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| ROGERS PARK BUSINESS ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $49,997 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| GREATER SOUTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $26,761 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS. |
| MESTIZA LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE |
| SWEET BEGINNINGS LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE |
| DISHROULETTE SERVICES LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE |
| THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL COMPANY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE |
| TOUCH GIFT FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS (ALLSTATE) GRANTS |
| HARMONY COMMUNITY CARES | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS (ALLSTATE) GRANTS |
| NEW COVENANT CDC | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS (ALLSTATE) GRANTS |
| FOOD HERO L3C | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE |
| CHOCOLAT UZMA | CHICAGO, IL | $22,200 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE |
| EIGHT HUNDRED TRUCKING CO | ORLAND PARK, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| ALDEEK LOGISTIC COMPANY | OAK FOREST, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| AMERICAN ENLIGHTENMENT LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| ACTIVELIFE MEDICAL SUPPLIES LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| RIGHT CONNECTION AUTOMOTIVE INC | RIVER GROVE, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| AMERICAN VETRANS CONSTRUCTION LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| JPT GAS INC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| DONNELL HARRISON | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| FAIRFIELD CONSULTANTS GROUP INC | MORTON GROVE, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| LAKE STREET DONUTS INC | BARTLETT, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| RSK ENTERPRISES INC | LANSING, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| ONE TRICK PONY INC | LANSING, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| JOHN EICHLER | WESTCHESTER, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| MUSU INC | SKOKIE, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| DARNISE SHAW | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| MELISSA E JOHNSON | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| JAI SHREE SAINATH INC | BRIDGEVIEW, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM INC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| LONDON HAGAN | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| HALA KAHIKI CORP | RIVER GROVE, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| CAROLYN RAMSEY | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| CMA NORTHSHORE INC | DEERFIELD, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| TAYLOR TOTS DAY CARE LTD | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| FARE HOLDING LLC (USED TO BE BEKNOWN LLC IN 2019) | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| GIG LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| AM LOGISTICS SERVICES INC | WILLOW SPRINGS, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| MIDWEST DENTAL SERVICES LLC FORMERLY MIDWEST PRECISION TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT | MT PROSPECT, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| KAZEEM OLADEJO | EVANSTON, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| A VET COMMUNICATIONS INC | MIDLOTHIAN, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| WIWASON INC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
| NATURE'S PATH INC | EVANSTON, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS |
ALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS FKA ACCION CHICAGO INC
$309,667BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$293,567BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
$269,228BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
SOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
$260,328BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
ILLINOIS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$211,570BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
CHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC
BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE
$137,504BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
36 SQUARED BUSINESS INCUBATOR
$58,541BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
ROGERS PARK BUSINESS ALLIANCE
$49,997BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
GREATER SOUTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$26,761BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURS.
MESTIZA LLC
$25,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE
SWEET BEGINNINGS LLC
$25,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE
DISHROULETTE SERVICES LLC
$25,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE
THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL COMPANY
$25,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE
TOUCH GIFT FOUNDATION
$25,000BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS (ALLSTATE) GRANTS
HARMONY COMMUNITY CARES
$25,000BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS (ALLSTATE) GRANTS
NEW COVENANT CDC
$25,000BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS (ALLSTATE) GRANTS
FOOD HERO L3C
$25,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE
CHOCOLAT UZMA
$22,200SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ALLSTATE
EIGHT HUNDRED TRUCKING CO
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
ALDEEK LOGISTIC COMPANY
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
AMERICAN ENLIGHTENMENT LLC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
ACTIVELIFE MEDICAL SUPPLIES LLC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
RIGHT CONNECTION AUTOMOTIVE INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
AMERICAN VETRANS CONSTRUCTION LLC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
JPT GAS INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
DONNELL HARRISON
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
FAIRFIELD CONSULTANTS GROUP INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
LAKE STREET DONUTS INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
RSK ENTERPRISES INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
ONE TRICK PONY INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
JOHN EICHLER
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
MUSU INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
DARNISE SHAW
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
MELISSA E JOHNSON
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
JAI SHREE SAINATH INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
LONDON HAGAN
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
HALA KAHIKI CORP
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
CAROLYN RAMSEY
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
CMA NORTHSHORE INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
TAYLOR TOTS DAY CARE LTD
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
FARE HOLDING LLC (USED TO BE BEKNOWN LLC IN 2019)
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
GIG LLC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
AM LOGISTICS SERVICES INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
MIDWEST DENTAL SERVICES LLC FORMERLY MIDWEST PRECISION TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
KAZEEM OLADEJO
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
A VET COMMUNICATIONS INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
WIWASON INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
NATURE'S PATH INC
$20,000SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Current and upcoming funding from Women'S Business Development Center that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: First-time WBENC/WBDC certification applicants with gross annual revenues under $500,000.
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