Opportunity Information: Apply for OWBO 2020 05
The WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) - Initial Phase Grant (Funding Opportunity Number OWBO 2020 05) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) designed to expand entrepreneurial development support for women in Mississippi. Through this announcement, SBA intends to fund up to two organizations to deliver training, counseling, and other business development services aimed at helping women start, grow, and strengthen small businesses, with a clear emphasis on reaching socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs across the state. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning recipients should expect an active partnership with SBA that typically involves ongoing coordination, reporting, and alignment with federal program goals.
Eligibility is limited to private, non-profit organizations that hold current 501(c) tax-exempt status from the IRS and that will provide services within the State of Mississippi. For-profit entities are not eligible, and the announcement also excludes public non-profit organizations. The notice describes public non-profits as organizations like churches, schools, and hospitals that commonly provide charitable services directly to the public, rely heavily on public donations, and are governed by many outside, unaffiliated directors. The practical takeaway is that applicants must be organized as private non-profits under the specified federal tax status and be positioned to run a service program that benefits women entrepreneurs statewide.
The announcement also clarifies how SBA will treat applicants with prior WBC experience. If an organization is currently operating, or has operated, an SBA-funded Women's Business Center within the past five years and is selected, SBA will categorize the award as a Renewal Phase Project rather than an Initial Phase award. Similarly, if an organization previously operated an SBA-funded WBC that has since closed, and it applies to re-establish the center, SBA will still treat the application as a renewal effort if the applicant is otherwise eligible. In other words, the "initial phase" label mainly applies to organizations that have not recently run an SBA-funded WBC, while experienced or previously funded operators may be routed into renewal-type expectations if selected.
A key program priority is serving women who face structural barriers to business ownership and growth, and the SBA explicitly encourages organizations that already work with disadvantaged communities to apply. The notice highlights the role of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in reaching underserved markets and specifically calls out examples such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) associated with HACU, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). MSIs and their auxiliary entities are encouraged to apply, alongside other eligible organizations with a demonstrated ability to deliver strong entrepreneurial development services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
Religious organizations are also encouraged to apply, and the announcement emphasizes that they generally do not have to change their religious identity to participate in the program. It notes that these organizations are not typically required to stop engaging in explicitly religious activities outside the federally funded program, nor to give up federal statutory protections tied to religious hiring decisions. The intent is to signal that faith-based organizations meeting the eligibility rules can compete for funding and operate the program without being forced to alter their broader mission, as long as they comply with applicable grant requirements.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity is listed under CFDA 59.043, categorized under Business and Commerce, with an award ceiling of $150,000 and an expectation of two awards. The opportunity was posted July 20, 2020, with an original closing date of August 10, 2020. Overall, the grant is meant to establish or support Women's Business Center services in Mississippi by funding qualified private non-profits that can deliver practical, accessible entrepreneurial assistance to women, especially those who are socially and economically disadvantaged.Apply for OWBO 2020 05
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) - INITIAL PHASE GRANT" 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 Jul 20, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 10, 2020. (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 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) - Initial Phase Grant?
The WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) - Initial Phase Grant (Funding Opportunity Number OWBO 2020 05) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) intended to expand entrepreneurial development support for women in Mississippi. Funded organizations are expected to deliver training, counseling, and other business development services to help women start, grow, and strengthen small businesses.
Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?
The funding agency is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is OWBO 2020 05.
Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. This means recipients should expect an active partnership with SBA, which typically includes ongoing coordination, reporting, and alignment with federal program goals.
What geographic area must services be provided in?
Services must be provided within the State of Mississippi.
How many awards does SBA expect to make?
The announcement indicates SBA intends to fund up to two organizations.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $150,000.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 59.043.
How is the program categorized?
The opportunity is categorized under Business and Commerce.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to private, non-profit organizations that hold current 501(c) tax-exempt status from the IRS and will provide services within Mississippi.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
No. For-profit entities are not eligible for this opportunity.
Are public non-profit organizations eligible to apply?
No. The announcement excludes public non-profit organizations.
How does the notice describe "public non-profit organizations"?
The notice describes public non-profits as organizations such as churches, schools, and hospitals that commonly provide charitable services directly to the public, rely heavily on public donations, and are governed by many outside, unaffiliated directors.
What kinds of services are funded under this opportunity?
Funded organizations are expected to provide training, counseling, and other business development services focused on helping women entrepreneurs start, grow, and strengthen small businesses.
Who is the primary target population for services?
The program emphasizes reaching women entrepreneurs, with a clear priority on serving socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs across Mississippi.
Does SBA encourage organizations that already work with disadvantaged communities to apply?
Yes. The notice explicitly encourages organizations that already work with disadvantaged communities to apply.
Are Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) encouraged to apply?
Yes. The notice highlights the role of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in reaching underserved markets and encourages MSIs and their auxiliary entities to apply.
What are examples of MSIs mentioned in the announcement?
Examples called out include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) associated with HACU, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are religious organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. Religious organizations are encouraged to apply as long as they meet the eligibility rules.
Do faith-based organizations have to change their religious identity to participate?
The announcement states they generally do not have to change their religious identity to participate in the program.
Does the announcement say faith-based organizations must stop religious activities outside the federally funded program?
No. It notes these organizations are not typically required to stop engaging in explicitly religious activities outside the federally funded program, as long as they comply with applicable grant requirements.
Does the announcement address religious hiring protections?
Yes. It notes organizations are not typically required to give up federal statutory protections tied to religious hiring decisions.
How does prior WBC experience affect how SBA classifies an award?
If an organization is currently operating, or has operated, an SBA-funded Women's Business Center within the past five years and is selected, SBA will categorize the award as a Renewal Phase Project rather than an Initial Phase award.
What if an organization previously operated an SBA-funded WBC that has since closed and wants to re-establish it?
If the applicant is otherwise eligible, SBA will still treat the application as a renewal effort (a Renewal Phase Project) even if the prior center has closed.
Who is the "initial phase" label mainly intended for?
The "initial phase" label mainly applies to organizations that have not recently run an SBA-funded Women's Business Center, while experienced or previously funded operators may be routed into renewal-type expectations if selected.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on July 20, 2020.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date was August 10, 2020.
What is the overall purpose of this funding opportunity?
The overall purpose is to establish or support Women's Business Center services in Mississippi by funding qualified private non-profits that can deliver practical, accessible entrepreneurial assistance to women, especially those who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
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