Opportunity Information: Apply for OWBO 2008 030
Apply for OWBO 2008 030
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Womens Business Ownership Program Announcement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.043 Womens Business Ownership Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 28, 2007 and posted on Dec 20, 2007.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 24, 2008 Closing date has been extended to 01/24/08. (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.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Private 501(c) organizations that have been providing technical assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women for a period of at least one year before the closing date of this program announcement and that meet the program criteria as provided in the Eligibility section of the program announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Office of Womens Business Ownership Program Announcement (Funding Opportunity No. OWBO 2008 030) is a U.S. Small Business Administration grant competition aimed at expanding the national network of Women s Business Centers (WBCs) by funding the creation of new, community based centers. The SBA is seeking applications from qualified private nonprofit organizations to launch and operate a WBC as a distinct project unit within the recipient organization, with its own staffing, facilities, equipment, and dedicated budget. The purpose is to deliver practical, long term support that helps women start new businesses or grow existing ones, with particular emphasis on serving women who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
Awards are made through cooperative agreements, meaning the SBA expects an ongoing working relationship with recipients rather than a hands off grant. The initial award period is one year, with the possibility of up to four additional optional years, contingent on continued authorization, satisfactory performance, and available funding. The funding levels listed for this opportunity range from an award floor of $100,000 to an award ceiling of $150,000. The program sits within the Business and Commerce activity category and is cataloged under CFDA 59.043 (Womens Business Ownership Assistance). The legal authority for the program is Section 29(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(1)), as amended by Public Law 109 108. This announcement is also explicitly positioned as a companion to OWBO 2008 029, which is geared toward existing WBCs applying for a renewable three year grant, while OWBO 2008 030 focuses on establishing new centers.
To be eligible, applicants must be private 501(c) nonprofit organizations that have been providing technical assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women for at least one year prior to the closing date, and they must meet additional program criteria described in the full eligibility section of the announcement. The core expectation is that the center will provide comprehensive technical assistance, including business training, one on one counseling, mentoring, and other forms of support that strengthen women owned enterprises. Required service areas include financial assistance and financial management education, business management training, marketing assistance, Internet and electronic commerce support, and guidance related to government procurement and certification processes. While these service categories are mandatory, applicants may also propose a specialized focus tailored to local needs or specific populations, such as women veterans, women with disabilities, women in rural communities or inner cities, or entrepreneurs operating in sectors like agribusiness, home based businesses, or manufacturing.
A major structural requirement of the WBC program is cost sharing. Recipients must provide non federal matching funds on a phased schedule: during the first two years, the match is one non federal dollar for every two federal dollars; during the following three years, the match increases to one non federal dollar for every federal dollar. The announcement also specifies the composition of the match: up to 50 percent of the non federal match may be provided as in kind contributions, but at least 50 percent must be cash, ensuring the project has real financial backing and sustainability beyond donated goods or services.
Key administrative details include that the opportunity was posted on December 20, 2007, with an original closing date of January 22, 2008, later extended to January 24, 2008, and archived on January 25, 2008. Organizations seeking clarification were directed to contact the SBA Office of Womens Business Ownership at OWBO@sba.gov, and an additional information link was provided through the SBA Women s Business Center program webpage. Overall, this opportunity is designed to fund new WBCs that can deliver broad, high impact entrepreneurial support services to women in their communities while meeting strict program structure and matching fund requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) Women’s Business Center Grant (OWBO 2008 030)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) grant competition from the Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) to expand the national network of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) by funding the creation of new, community-based centers.
2) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is OWBO 2008 030.
3) What is the main goal of OWBO 2008 030?
The goal is to fund new Women’s Business Centers that provide practical, long-term support to help women start new businesses or grow existing ones, with particular emphasis on women who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
4) Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be private 501(c) nonprofit organizations that have been providing technical assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women for at least one year prior to the closing date, and they must meet additional program criteria described in the full eligibility section of the announcement.
5) Is this opportunity for existing Women’s Business Centers or new centers?
This opportunity (OWBO 2008 030) focuses on establishing new Women’s Business Centers. It is explicitly described as a companion to OWBO 2008 029, which is aimed at existing WBCs applying for a renewable three-year grant.
6) What type of award is being made (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Awards are made through cooperative agreements, which means the SBA expects an ongoing working relationship with recipients rather than a hands-off grant.
7) What is the award period?
The initial award period is one year, with the possibility of up to four additional optional years. Continuation is contingent on continued authorization, satisfactory performance, and available funding.
8) How much funding is available per award?
The listed funding levels range from an award floor of $100,000 to an award ceiling of $150,000.
9) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is cataloged under CFDA 59.043 (Women’s Business Ownership Assistance).
10) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The program sits within the Business and Commerce activity category.
11) What is the legal authority for the program?
The legal authority is Section 29(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(1)), as amended by Public Law 109 108.
12) What does SBA expect the Women’s Business Center to look like inside the recipient organization?
The WBC must be launched and operated as a distinct project unit within the recipient organization, with its own staffing, facilities, equipment, and dedicated budget.
13) What services must the Women’s Business Center provide?
The center is expected to provide comprehensive technical assistance, including business training, one-on-one counseling, mentoring, and other support that strengthens women-owned enterprises.
14) What are the required service areas?
Required service areas include financial assistance and financial management education, business management training, marketing assistance, Internet and electronic commerce support, and guidance related to government procurement and certification processes.
15) Can an applicant propose a specialized focus area?
Yes. While the listed service categories are mandatory, applicants may propose a specialized focus tailored to local needs or specific populations or sectors.
16) What are examples of specialized focus areas mentioned in the announcement?
Examples include serving women veterans, women with disabilities, women in rural communities or inner cities, or entrepreneurs operating in sectors such as agribusiness, home-based businesses, or manufacturing.
17) Is cost sharing (matching funds) required?
Yes. A major structural requirement of the WBC program is cost sharing using non-federal matching funds on a phased schedule.
18) What is the matching requirement during the first two years?
During the first two years, the match is one non-federal dollar for every two federal dollars.
19) What is the matching requirement during years three through five?
During the following three years, the match increases to one non-federal dollar for every federal dollar.
20) What portion of the match can be in-kind versus cash?
Up to 50 percent of the non-federal match may be provided as in-kind contributions, but at least 50 percent must be cash.
21) Why does the announcement require at least 50 percent cash match?
The announcement states this requirement is intended to ensure the project has real financial backing and sustainability beyond donated goods or services.
22) When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on December 20, 2007.
23) What was the original closing date and was it extended?
The original closing date was January 22, 2008, and it was later extended to January 24, 2008.
24) When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on January 25, 2008.
25) Who should organizations contact for clarification?
Organizations seeking clarification were directed to contact the SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership at OWBO@sba.gov.
26) Is there an official webpage referenced for additional information?
Yes. The announcement references an additional information link through the SBA Women’s Business Center program webpage.
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