GROW. BUILD. SUSTAIN.

In 1981, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) was formed with a mission to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment. During its 40-year history, NCBW has chartered more than 75 chapters with a cumulative membership of more than 7,500 women representing 28 states. We strive to create a world where socio-economic inequality does not exist for Black women and girls. To achieve our goals, we focus on the health, education, and economic empowerment of Black women and girls through civic engagement and building strategic alliances.

Small business is essential to our community’s economic growth. African American women are the fastest-growing population of new business owners; however, they are least likely to receive capital resources to develop their individual entrepreneurial skills and business ventures. 

In accordance with our national priority to advance economic empowerment, the Metropolitan Washington, DC Chapter of NCBW created the  Sisternomics Empowerment Grant. The annual grant seeks to invest in and promote Black women-owned businesses in Washington, DC that are forging positive change in our communities.

As society continues to recover from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that small businesses are particularly impacted and in need of additional funding. Now more than ever, our mission to support and provide relief to small and local Black women business owners during this unprecedented time.

For questions about this grant, please reach out to microgrant@ncbwdc.org.

ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for the NCBWDC Sisternomics Empowerment Grant, applicants must meet the following basic eligibility guidelines:

• Black women-owned for-profit business
• Current business certificate in good standing and/or business license
• Proof of ownership of the designated business
• Sales revenue under $500,000 annually
• Business must be legally established and operational for at least one year
• Business must be current on taxes and must be lien and judgment free 
• Business must be registered in the District of Columbia(special consideration for those located in and/or serving Wards 7 and 8)

Grant Rules and Requirements

• The grant is subject to funding availability
• The grant application must be submitted in the legal name of the applicant
• Applications must be complete with all required documentation to be considered
• Submission of an application shall constitute acknowledgment and acceptance of all terms and conditions contained in these guidelines and the application (acceptance of an application does not constitute a contract and does not obligate the awarding of funds)
• Payment will be made directly to the business
• Business development services may be required

What terms apply to the program?
Funds awarded through the program are offered as a working capital equity grant. Grant amounts range up to $2,000.

PERMITTED USE OF FUNDS
Funds can be used for capacity-building activities such as, but not limited to: purchase of equipment and materials, building digital market tools, staffing support, and development, etc.

PROHIBITED USE OF FUNDS
Expenditures not allowed under the grant include rental payments, and tax or other penalty payments.

All proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Review of identifiable business need 
• Detailed use of the proceeds of the grant 
• Potential of the grant to satisfy the identified business need 
• Potential impact of the grant on overall business growth and success
• Potential of the grant to assist in business’ recovery from COVID-19 pandemic 

What is the process for applying and receiving the grant?

STEP 1: APPLICATION SCREENING

NCBWDC will review all submitted applications to ensure they have met the minimum eligibility criteria. Those that do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria will not move forward in the review process. All other applications will proceed to Step 2.

STEP 2: APPLICATION REVIEW

A panel of NCBWDC members will review and evaluate all eligible applications and provide extensive feedback on each application, in relation to its business goals and supporting materials.

Application Checklist
The following is a checklist to assist you in assembling your complete application which must include the following:

• Completed grant application
• Company’s business plan (submitted as a Powerpoint presentation to microgrant@ncbwdc.org) must include the business mission and/or vision statement, description of the product(s) and/or service(s), description of the business team, description of adverse COVID-19 business impacts, and what differentiates your business in the marketplace
• Company’s certification of incorporation or vendor’s license
• Signed disclosures
• Signed verification of information

Applications must be fully complete to be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered.