Women’s Business Center – Initial Phase Grant Virgin Islands (US)

Purpose

• The purpose of this NOFO is to provide three private, non-profit organizations that will provide entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, within the Territory of the Virgin Islands. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c) tax-exempt status from the U.S. Treasury/Internal Revenue Service and must provide services to the Territory of the Virgin Islands.
• An organization that is operating or has operated an SBA-funded WBC within the past five (5) years, if selected, will be awarded as an Initial Phase Project. Likewise, an organization that previously operated an SBA-funded WBC that is no longer operating, if eligible to apply and selected, will also be awarded as an Initial Phase Project since this application will be treated as an effort to re-establish the WBC.
• Recognizing the important role that Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) (e.g., Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institutions (AANAPISIs) play in meeting the needs of socially and economically disadvantaged markets, this program announcement seeks to encourage MSIs to provide entrepreneurial development services to socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. MSIs, HBCUs, HSIs, HACU, AANAPISIs and their auxiliary entities are encouraged to apply.
• Likewise, other organizations serving socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, who meet the WBC program eligibility requirements, are also encouraged to apply. Additionally, religious organizations are encouraged to apply. Generally, such organizations are not required to alter their religious character to participate in a government program, nor to cease engaging in explicitly religious activities outside the program, nor effectively to relinquish their federal statutory protections for religious hiring decisions.

Funding Information

• The SBA expects to provide funding for one (1) Initial Phase award (one for each location- the Territory of the Virgin Islands), not to exceed $150,000.
• Awards will be made for up to a five (5)-year period of performance, consisting of a base period of twelve (12) months from the date of award and four (4) option periods of twelve (12) months each.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible for this NOFO, applicants must be a private non-profit organization certified under 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and have experience providing technical services to women, with a special emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
• Generally, such organizations are not required to alter their religious character to participate in a government program, nor to cease engaging in explicitly religious activities outside the program, nor effectively to relinquish their Federal statutory protections for religious hiring decisions.
• Applicants must document as part of the narrative proposal that they:
  • Will provide services to women and other entrepreneurs who are both socially- and economically disadvantaged.
  • Continue to be organized and incorporated in the United States and remain in good standing in the state or territory of incorporation. A copy of the certificate of good standing or applicable document must be attached to the applicant’s technical proposal.
  • Are a private not-for-profit or non-profit corporation with an active 501(c) Federal tax-exempt status certification from the United States Department of Treasury/Internal Revenue Service.
  • Have their principal office located in, and propose providing services to, the United States Virgin Islands.
  • Will provide technical assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.