Opportunity Information: Apply for OWBO 2009 01
Apply for OWBO 2009 01
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Womens Business Center Initial Grant" 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 Jun 19, 2009 and posted on Jun 19, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 16, 2009. (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 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Only private non profit organizations certified under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that provide technical assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and that meet all other criteria identified in the Program Announcement OWBO 2009 01, Section III Eligibility Information may apply for this award.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Womens Business Center Initial Grant (Funding Opportunity Number OWBO 2009 01) is a discretionary U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) cooperative agreement opportunity intended to launch new, community-based Womens Business Centers (WBCs). The announcement targets eight specific locations where SBA sought to expand WBC coverage: the District of Columbia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The core purpose is to establish locally accessible centers that deliver practical, hands-on technical assistance to women entrepreneurs at different stages, including both new (nascent) entrepreneurs and existing business owners who want to grow or stabilize their companies.
Eligible applicants are limited to private nonprofit organizations that are officially certified under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and that provide technical assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women, while also meeting the full eligibility criteria laid out in Program Announcement OWBO 2009 01 (Section III). A WBC can be housed within a larger economic development organization and can leverage that organization’s broader resources, but SBA requires that the WBC be clearly identifiable as a distinct program or project rather than an informal add-on. This separation is important for accountability, performance tracking, and ensuring the WBC’s services remain focused on women’s business ownership assistance.
WBC services under this opportunity are centered on business fundamentals and growth support, including finance, management, marketing, and other training or counseling areas described in the announcement. A key program requirement is that the WBC must serve a representative number of clients who are socially and economically disadvantaged, reflecting the program’s equity and access mission. Program authority is grounded in the Small Business Act, specifically Sections 2(h) and 29 (15 U.S.C. 631(h) and 656), as amended, which establishes the legal basis for SBA to operate and fund the WBC program.
Awards are made as cooperative agreements, meaning SBA is expected to have substantial involvement in the project beyond simply providing funds, typically through oversight, collaboration on program direction, and performance monitoring. The award is issued for a base year (year one), with the potential for four additional option years (years two through five). Continuation into option years is not automatic; it depends on the availability of federal funds and on the WBC’s performance in the preceding year, reinforcing the expectation of measurable results and consistent service delivery.
The opportunity includes cost sharing. Recipients must provide non-federal matching funds at a 1:2 match in years one and two (one non-federal dollar for every two federal dollars) and at a 1:1 match in years three through five (one non-federal dollar for every one federal dollar). Matching contributions can include both cash and in-kind support, but there are limits: no more than 50 percent of the match may be in-kind, and at least 50 percent must be cash, which can include program income. This structure is designed to ensure the center has real financial backing and community investment, while still allowing organizations to count certain donated goods or services toward part of the match.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted June 19, 2009, with an application deadline of July 16, 2009, and an expected total of eight awards. The award ceiling is listed as $150,000 for the federal share (with no stated award floor). The program aligns to CFDA 59.043, Womens Business Ownership Assistance. Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement were directed to contact SBA’s Office of Womens Business Ownership at 202-205-6673, with an OWBO email address available for questions related to the announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Womens Business Center Initial Grant (Funding Opportunity Number OWBO 2009 01)?
This opportunity is a discretionary U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) cooperative agreement intended to launch new, community-based Womens Business Centers (WBCs). The goal is to expand locally accessible, hands-on technical assistance for women entrepreneurs, including both nascent (new) entrepreneurs and existing business owners seeking to grow or stabilize their businesses.
What is the purpose of creating a new Womens Business Center (WBC) under this funding?
The purpose is to establish a locally accessible center that delivers practical training and counseling to women business owners and entrepreneurs. The center is expected to provide core business assistance (such as finance, management, and marketing) and support women at different stages of business development.
Which locations are targeted for funding under this announcement?
SBA sought to expand WBC coverage in eight specific locations: the District of Columbia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
How many awards does SBA expect to make?
The announcement indicates an expected total of eight awards.
What type of funding instrument is used for these awards?
Awards are made as cooperative agreements. This means SBA is expected to have substantial involvement in the project beyond simply providing funds, typically through oversight, collaboration on program direction, and performance monitoring.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to private nonprofit organizations that are officially certified under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that provide technical assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women, and that meet the full eligibility criteria described in Program Announcement OWBO 2009 01 (Section III).
Can a Womens Business Center be housed within a larger organization?
Yes. A WBC can be housed within a larger economic development organization and can leverage that organization’s broader resources. However, SBA requires that the WBC be clearly identifiable as a distinct program or project, not an informal add-on.
Why does SBA require the WBC to be a distinct program or project?
The separation requirement supports accountability and performance tracking, and helps ensure the WBC’s services remain focused on assistance for women’s business ownership.
What services must the WBC provide under this opportunity?
Services are centered on business fundamentals and growth support, including finance, management, marketing, and other training or counseling areas described in the announcement. The overall emphasis is on practical, hands-on technical assistance.
Does the WBC need to serve any particular populations?
Yes. A key requirement is that the WBC must serve a representative number of clients who are socially and economically disadvantaged, reflecting the program’s equity and access mission.
What is the legal authority for the program?
The program is grounded in the Small Business Act, specifically Sections 2(h) and 29 (15 U.S.C. 631(h) and 656), as amended.
What is the award period?
The award is issued for a base year (year one), with the potential for four additional option years (years two through five).
Are option years guaranteed if a center is funded in year one?
No. Continuation into option years is not automatic. It depends on the availability of federal funds and on the WBC’s performance during the preceding year.
What is the maximum federal funding amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling for the federal share is $150,000. No award floor is stated in the information provided.
Is cost sharing (matching funds) required?
Yes. This opportunity includes cost sharing, and recipients must provide non-federal matching funds according to the required match ratios by project year.
What is the required match ratio in years one and two?
In years one and two, the required match is 1:2 (one non-federal dollar for every two federal dollars).
What is the required match ratio in years three through five?
In years three through five, the required match is 1:1 (one non-federal dollar for every one federal dollar).
What types of funds can be used as matching contributions?
Matching contributions may include cash and in-kind support, subject to the limitations stated in the announcement.
Are there limits on how much of the match can be in-kind?
Yes. No more than 50 percent of the match may be in-kind.
Is there a minimum cash requirement for the match?
Yes. At least 50 percent of the match must be cash. The information provided notes that cash can include program income.
What is CFDA 59.043?
The opportunity aligns to CFDA 59.043, Womens Business Ownership Assistance.
When was this opportunity posted and when was the application due?
The opportunity was posted on June 19, 2009, and the application deadline was July 16, 2009.
How can applicants get help or request the full announcement?
Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement were directed to contact SBA’s Office of Womens Business Ownership at 202-205-6673. The information also indicates an OWBO email address was available for questions related to the announcement.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (OWBO 2009 01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Womens Business Center Initial Grants Apply for OWBO 2009 01 1 Funding Number: OWBO 2009 01 1 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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| Alternative Resources in Media Apply for RFA 111 10 000001 Funding Number: RFA 111 10 000001 Agency: Georgia USAID Tbilisi Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| SBDC Portable Assistance Program Apply for OSBDC 2010 07 Funding Number: OSBDC 2010 07 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Womens Business Center Renewal Grants Apply for OWBO 2010 02 Funding Number: OWBO 2010 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $119,879 |
| Small Business Defense Economic Transition Assistance (DETA) Apply for OSBDC 2010 08 Funding Number: OSBDC 2010 08 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Veterans Business Outreach Center Program Apply for VBOC 2010 001 Funding Number: VBOC 2010 001 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) (CURRENT RECIPIENTS ONLY) Apply for DLA 022510 001 Funding Number: DLA 022510 001 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Veterans Business Outreach Center Program Apply for VBOC 2010 002 Funding Number: VBOC 2010 002 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Office of Small Business Development Centers Drug Free Workplace Apply for OSBDC 2010 09 Funding Number: OSBDC 2010 09 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Small Business Development Center FY/CYRenewal of the Cooperative Agreement for Current Recipient Organizations Apply for OSBDC 2011 01 Funding Number: OSBDC 2011 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $6,753,581 |
| Small Business Development Center FY/CYRenewal of the Cooperative Agreement for Current Recipient Organizations Apply for OSBDC 2011 02 Funding Number: OSBDC 2011 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $6,753,581 |
| Women s Business Center Initial Grant Apply for OWBO 2010 01 Funding Number: OWBO 2010 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Program for Investment In Microentrepreneurs Act (PRIME) Apply for PRIME 2010 01 Funding Number: PRIME 2010 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Womens Business Center Initial Grant Apply for OWBO 2010 01 1 Funding Number: OWBO 2010 01 1 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) Apply for DLA 07072010 Funding Number: DLA 07072010 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) Apply for DLA 050509 002 Funding Number: DLA 050509 002 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $600,000 |
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