Women’s Business Center – Initial Phase Grant Virgin Islands | SB OEDWB 24 005

Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OEDWB 24 005

The Women’s Business Center (WBC) Initial Phase Grant for the U.S. Virgin Islands is a federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) intended to launch or establish expanded Women’s Business Center services in parts of the territory that are not currently served by existing WBC geographic coverage areas. The core goal is to strengthen entrepreneurial development support for women entrepreneurs, with a clear emphasis on reaching socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who may face barriers to starting, sustaining, or growing a business. In practical terms, the grant is meant to help a qualified local nonprofit deliver business assistance such as training, counseling, and other supports that help women move from idea to launch and from early operations to growth.

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement, which generally means the SBA is likely to have more involvement than with a standard grant. In cooperative agreements, the awardee typically collaborates more closely with the agency on planning, reporting, performance expectations, and program execution. The program aligns with a business and commerce funding activity category and is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 59.043, which corresponds to SBA Women’s Business Center-related assistance.

Only one award is expected under this announcement, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $150,000. This is structured as an “initial phase” award, signaling that the funding supports early-stage establishment, startup activities, or initial implementation of WBC services in the targeted unserved or underserved areas of the Virgin Islands. Because there is a single anticipated recipient, the competition is likely to be selective, with strong emphasis on demonstrated capacity to deliver entrepreneurial development services and a credible plan to reach women who are economically and socially disadvantaged.

Eligible applicants are limited to private nonprofit organizations that have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, and institutions of higher education are explicitly excluded under the eligibility description provided. The funding opportunity is identified as “Women’s Business Center – Initial Phase Grant Virgin Islands,” with Funding Opportunity Number SB OEDWB 24 005. The announcement was created on 2024-06-07, and the original application closing date was 2024-07-15, which establishes a relatively short application window.

Overall, this NOFO is designed to expand access to WBC-style entrepreneurial assistance in the U.S. Virgin Islands by funding one qualified nonprofit to deliver targeted, place-based support for women entrepreneurs, particularly those who have been historically underserved and who are located outside existing WBC service areas.

• The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women’s Business Center – Initial Phase Grant Virgin Islands" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.043.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for SB OEDWB 24 005

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