Opportunity Information: Apply for OWBO 2013 01
Apply for OWBO 2013 01
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Womens Business Center Program 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 24, 2013 and posted on May 24, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2013 The closing date has been extended to July 31, 2013 at 1159pm EST.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $546,056.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $136,514.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- See Synopsis
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Opportunity Summary:
The Womens Business Center Program Initial Grant (Funding Opportunity No. OWBO 2013 01) is a competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish or support Womens Business Centers (WBCs) that deliver hands-on technical assistance to women entrepreneurs. The program is designed to help women who are starting businesses as well as those looking to grow established companies, with core support focused on practical business skills such as finance, management, marketing, and other training or advising areas specified in the SBA program announcement. A key expectation of the program is that a representative portion of the clients served by a funded WBC must be socially and economically disadvantaged, reflecting the program goal of expanding access to business assistance among underserved populations.
Eligibility is targeted to private, IRS-recognized 501(c) nonprofit organizations that are located in, and will provide services to the population of, one of four specific states: Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, and Washington. The WBC can be operated as a distinct program within a larger economic development or community organization, and it may leverage that host organizations staff, facilities, or broader resources. However, the WBC must remain clearly identifiable as a separate program or project, rather than being blended indistinguishably into general operations.
The SBA expects to make four awards under this announcement, and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. That structure generally signals that SBA anticipates an ongoing level of collaboration or programmatic involvement during the award period. Each successful applicant receives funding for a base year, with the possibility of up to four additional option years, creating a potential five-year project period. Those option years are not automatic; they depend on federal funding availability and the WBCs performance in the prior year.
The total estimated funding listed for this competition is $546,056, and the expected award amount is essentially fixed per recipient for the base year, with an award ceiling and floor both shown as $136,514. The opportunity is categorized under Business and Commerce, and it is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 59.043, Womens Business Ownership Assistance. The legal authority for 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.
A significant part of the financial structure is the required cost share or match. Awardees must provide non-federal matching funds on a stepped schedule: in years one and two, the match is one non-federal dollar for every two federal dollars; in years three through five, the match increases to one non-federal dollar for every one federal dollar. In addition, at least 50 percent of the required non-federal match must be cash, which can include program income such as fees earned from services. The remaining portion of the match may be provided through in-kind contributions, such as donated space, volunteer time, or contributed professional services, consistent with federal cost principles.
Key dates included in the notice show the opportunity was posted May 24, 2013, originally due July 8, 2013, and later extended to July 31, 2013 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, with an archive date of August 30, 2013. For applicants or organizations seeking the full announcement details, the SBA referenced additional information at its Womens Business Center grant opportunities webpage, and provided a direct contact at the SBA Office of Womens Business Ownership (OWBO) for assistance, including an email address (OWBO@sba.gov) and phone number (202-205-6673).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Womens Business Center (WBC) Program Initial Grant (Funding Opportunity No. OWBO 2013 01)?
It is a competitive funding opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish or support Womens Business Centers (WBCs) that provide hands-on technical assistance to women entrepreneurs.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to expand access to practical business assistance for women who are starting businesses and for women who want to grow established companies, with core support focused on real-world business skills.
What types of services are WBCs expected to provide?
Funded WBCs are expected to deliver hands-on technical assistance and training in areas such as finance, management, marketing, and other training or advising areas specified in the SBA program announcement.
Who is the program intended to serve?
The program is designed to help women entrepreneurs, including both women starting new businesses and women seeking to expand existing businesses.
Is there an expectation to serve underserved populations?
Yes. A key program expectation is that a representative portion of clients served by a funded WBC must be socially and economically disadvantaged, aligning with the program goal of expanding access to business assistance among underserved populations.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is targeted to private, IRS-recognized 501(c) nonprofit organizations that are located in, and will provide services to the population of, one of four specific states: Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, and Washington.
Which states are eligible under this announcement?
The eligible states listed are Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, and Washington.
Does the applicant organization need to be physically located in one of the listed states?
Yes. The eligibility description specifies that organizations must be located in, and provide services to the population of, one of the four listed states (Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, and Washington).
Can a WBC be operated within a larger organization?
Yes. A WBC can be operated as a distinct program within a larger economic development or community organization and may leverage the host organizations staff, facilities, or broader resources.
If the WBC is housed inside a larger organization, does it need to be set apart?
Yes. The WBC must remain clearly identifiable as a separate program or project and cannot be blended indistinguishably into the organizations general operations.
How many awards does SBA expect to make under this announcement?
SBA expects to make four awards.
Is this funding a standard grant or something else?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement generally signals that SBA anticipates an ongoing level of collaboration or programmatic involvement during the award period.
What is the project period for an award?
Each successful applicant receives funding for a base year, with the possibility of up to four additional option years, for a potential total project period of five years.
Are the option years guaranteed?
No. The option years are not automatic. They depend on federal funding availability and the WBCs performance in the prior year.
What is the total estimated funding for this competition?
The total estimated funding listed for the competition is $546,056.
What is the expected award amount per recipient for the base year?
The expected award amount per recipient for the base year is essentially fixed at $136,514, with both the award ceiling and the award floor shown as $136,514.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is listed as $136,514.
What is the award floor?
The award floor is listed as $136,514.
What category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under Business and Commerce.
What is the CFDA or Assistance Listing number for this program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 59.043, Womens Business Ownership Assistance.
What legal authority supports this program?
The legal authority is grounded in the Small Business Act, specifically Sections 2(h) and 29 (15 U.S.C. 631(h) and 656), as amended.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
Yes. Awardees must provide non-federal matching funds on a stepped schedule that changes over the project period.
What is the matching requirement in years one and two?
In years one and two, the match is one non-federal dollar for every two federal dollars.
What is the matching requirement in years three through five?
In years three through five, the match increases to one non-federal dollar for every one federal dollar.
Does the match have to be cash?
At least 50 percent of the required non-federal match must be cash.
Can program income count as cash match?
Yes. The cash match can include program income such as fees earned from services.
Can in-kind contributions be used as part of the match?
Yes. The remaining portion of the match (beyond the required cash portion) may be provided through in-kind contributions, consistent with federal cost principles.
What are examples of allowable in-kind contributions mentioned in the announcement summary?
Examples provided include donated space, volunteer time, or contributed professional services, consistent with federal cost principles.
When was this opportunity posted?
The notice indicates the opportunity was posted on May 24, 2013.
What was the original application due date?
The original due date was July 8, 2013.
Was the application deadline extended?
Yes. The deadline was extended to July 31, 2013 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
What is the archive date listed for this opportunity?
The archive date is listed as August 30, 2013.
Where could applicants find additional information about the full announcement?
SBA referenced additional information at its Womens Business Center grant opportunities webpage.
Who can applicants contact with questions about this opportunity?
The notice lists the SBA Office of Womens Business Ownership (OWBO) as the point of contact.
What email address is provided for assistance?
The email address provided is OWBO@sba.gov.
What phone number is provided for assistance?
The phone number provided is (202) 205-6673.
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