SBA launches $6M initiative to support women entrepreneurs [Aug. 10 deadline]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched a $6 million grant competition to expand support for women entrepreneurs through its new Women’s Business Center (WBC) Modernization Initiative.

The initiative will create statewide networks of support through Lead Centers and local Service Centers in eight states and territories where demand for WBC services has outpaced existing funding. The program aims to expand access to business counseling, training and capital resources for women-owned small businesses.

The SBA said the competition is funded through statutorily obligated funds and will not impact existing WBC funding. All 138 current WBCs will continue operating under their existing FY26 cooperative agreements.

SBA targets states with women-owned businesses

The WBC Modernization Initiative will focus on Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Through the program, selected organizations will receive funding to establish and operate WBC Lead Centers that coordinate services across their respective states or territories. Local Service Centers will support these Lead Centers by expanding access to training and technical assistance.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the initiative is designed to create a more connected support system for entrepreneurs.

“By building coordinated networks of Lead and Service Centers, SBA is aligning counseling, training, and access to capital in a single, connected statewide system that keeps pace with entrepreneurs’ needs,” Loeffler said in the agency’s media release.

Grant awards vary by state

Eligible organizations must provide entrepreneurial counseling and training services, operate as a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, maintain active 501(c) federal tax-exempt status and have financial management systems that meet federal requirements.

Funding allocations include:

• Texas: $2.08 million
• Florida: $1.54 million
• Pennsylvania: $930,077
• Tennessee: $494,329
• Louisiana: $333,167
• West Virginia: $250,000
• Wyoming: $250,000
• U.S. Virgin Islands: $200,000

The SBA noted that Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming currently do not have a WBC, while the initiative will help expand coverage in underserved areas.

Applications open through Aug. 10

Organizations interested in applying must submit proposals by August 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The SBA will host informational webinars on July 28 and August 4 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET to discuss the grant opportunity.

Registration is required through SBA resources.