Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OEDWB 21 002 094568
The WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) - INITIAL PHASE - Puerto Rico opportunity is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding announcement designed to launch new, community-based Women's Business Centers in the Territory of Puerto Rico. The SBA's goal is to fund multiple nonprofit organizations that can stand up and operate WBC services locally, with an emphasis on providing practical, hands-on technical assistance to women entrepreneurs at different stages, including people who are still exploring a business idea (nascent entrepreneurs) and those already running established businesses. The center's services are expected to cover core business needs such as financing, management, and marketing, along with other technical assistance areas specified in the announcement, all aimed at helping women start, grow, and sustain small businesses.
This award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a simple grant, which typically signals a closer working relationship with the SBA during implementation. The project is designed with an initial 12-month base period, and it can potentially continue for four additional 12-month option periods (up to five years total). Those option years are not guaranteed; they depend on whether funding remains available and whether the Women's Business Center performs well and meets expectations during the prior year. In other words, the first year funds the initial build-out and early delivery of services, and continued funding hinges on demonstrated results and compliance over time.
A key program requirement is that a representative share of the clients served must be socially and economically disadvantaged, reinforcing that the WBC is meant to expand access to business support for people who may face structural barriers to capital, networks, or training. The announcement also clarifies that a WBC can be housed within a larger economic development organization, meaning an applicant does not have to create a standalone entity to participate. However, even if embedded within a larger nonprofit, the WBC must be clearly identifiable as its own separate program or project, with distinct services and visibility rather than being folded indistinguishably into a broader set of activities.
Financially, the opportunity sets an award ceiling of $150,000 and anticipates making about two awards. It is tied to CFDA number 59.043 and falls under the Business and Commerce activity category. The SBA created the opportunity on July 27, 2021, with an original closing date of August 16, 2021, under Funding Opportunity Number SB OEDWB 21 002 094568. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with the expectation (from the narrative) that applicants are nonprofit organizations; additional eligibility details are referenced as being in the full announcement's eligibility section.
The program includes a cost-sharing requirement that becomes more demanding over time. Non-federal entities must provide matching funds at a ratio of $1 in non-federal support for every $2 in federal funds during the base period and the first option year. For years three through five, the match increases to $1 non-federal for every $1 federal dollar, meaning the center must be able to sustain a significantly larger share of the total project cost in later years. At least 50 percent of the required match must be cash, and the announcement explicitly allows program income, such as fees generated from services, to count as cash match. The remaining match may be met through in-kind contributions, such as donated space, volunteer professional services, or other allowable non-cash support.
Legally, the program is authorized under the Small Business Act, specifically Sections 2(h) and 29 (15 U.S.C. 631(h) and 656), as amended. Overall, this FOA is essentially a startup-and-scale pathway for nonprofits in Puerto Rico to create an SBA-supported Women's Business Center that delivers sustained, measurable business assistance to women entrepreneurs, with ongoing funding dependent on performance and a growing expectation that the center can bring in cash and in-kind resources to match federal support.Apply for SB OEDWB 21 002 094568
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) - INITIAL PHASE - Puerto Rico" 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 27, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 16, 2021. (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: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) - INITIAL PHASE - Puerto Rico opportunity?
This is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding opportunity intended to launch new, community-based Women's Business Centers (WBCs) in the Territory of Puerto Rico. The intent is to stand up local WBC services that deliver practical, hands-on technical assistance to women entrepreneurs.
2) What is the main goal of this SBA funding announcement?
The SBA's goal is to fund multiple nonprofit organizations that can establish and operate WBC services locally in Puerto Rico, helping women start, grow, and sustain small businesses through technical assistance and related support.
3) Who is this program designed to serve?
The WBC is expected to serve women entrepreneurs at different stages, including people exploring a business idea (nascent entrepreneurs) and individuals operating established businesses.
4) Are there any client population requirements?
Yes. A representative share of the clients served must be socially and economically disadvantaged, reflecting the program's focus on expanding access to business support for people facing structural barriers.
5) What types of services are Women's Business Centers expected to provide under this opportunity?
Services are expected to address core business needs such as financing, management, and marketing. The announcement also references additional technical assistance areas specified in the funding announcement, all geared toward helping women start, grow, and sustain small businesses.
6) Is this award a grant or something else?
This award is structured as a cooperative agreement, not a simple grant. A cooperative agreement typically indicates a closer working relationship with the SBA during implementation.
7) How long is the project period?
The project has an initial 12-month base period, with the possibility of four additional 12-month option periods. If all options are exercised, the total period could be up to five years.
8) Are the option years guaranteed?
No. Option years are not guaranteed. Continued funding depends on the availability of funds and the WBC's performance and compliance during the prior year.
9) What does the first year (base period) generally cover?
The first year is intended to fund the initial build-out and early delivery of Women's Business Center services.
10) How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $150,000.
11) How many awards does SBA expect to make?
The SBA anticipates making about two awards.
12) Is there a matching funds (cost-sharing) requirement?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing requirement that increases over time.
13) What is the match ratio during the base period and the first option year?
During the base period and the first option year, non-federal entities must provide matching funds at a ratio of $1 in non-federal support for every $2 in federal funds.
14) What is the match ratio for years three through five?
For years three through five, the match increases to $1 in non-federal support for every $1 in federal funds.
15) How much of the required match must be cash?
At least 50 percent of the required match must be cash.
16) Can program income count toward the cash match requirement?
Yes. The announcement explicitly allows program income, such as fees generated from services, to count as cash match.
17) Can in-kind contributions be used to meet the match?
Yes. The remaining match (beyond the required cash portion) may be met through in-kind contributions, such as donated space or volunteer professional services, or other allowable non-cash support.
18) Do applicants need to create a standalone organization to operate a WBC?
No. The announcement clarifies that a WBC can be housed within a larger economic development organization.
19) If the WBC is housed within a larger nonprofit, does it need to be separate in any way?
Yes. Even if embedded within a larger nonprofit, the WBC must be clearly identifiable as its own separate program or project, with distinct services and visibility, rather than being indistinguishably folded into broader activities.
20) Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," and the narrative indicates the SBA intends to fund nonprofit organizations. Additional eligibility details are referenced as being in the full announcement's eligibility section.
21) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SB OEDWB 21 002 094568.
22) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 59.043.
23) What activity category does this funding opportunity fall under?
This opportunity falls under the Business and Commerce activity category.
24) When was the opportunity created and what was the original closing date?
The SBA created the opportunity on July 27, 2021, and the original closing date was August 16, 2021.
25) What legal authority authorizes this program?
The program is authorized under the Small Business Act, specifically Sections 2(h) and 29 (15 U.S.C. 631(h) and 656), as amended.
26) What is the overall purpose of this FOA in practical terms?
This FOA is designed as a startup-and-scale pathway for nonprofits in Puerto Rico to create an SBA-supported Women's Business Center that provides measurable, sustained assistance to women entrepreneurs, with continued funding dependent on performance and increasing expectations for matching resources over time.
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