Women in Business (WIB) Women Owned Business Grant

The purpose of the WIB Women Owned Business Grant is to provide one year of Chamber and Women in Business committee membership to a woman-owned small business (less than 14 employees). We believe Chamber membership will be a significant benefit to these businesses and are hopeful after seeing the benefits, they will remain Chamber members for many years. The WIB Executive Board determines who receives Women Owned Business grants and how those individuals will share their experiences with other Chamber and WIB members.

Benefits of Chamber Membership

Membership in the Chamber and WIB offers numerous benefits that align with business goals and the objectives of the grant program:

Networking Opportunities
Professional Development
Advocacy
Marketing and Visibility
Community Involvement

Find more information about these benefits here.

Requirements of Grant Applicants

Applicants must be a woman-owned small business with less than 14 employees with a current business license.
An application form must be submitted online to the WIB liaison for review and approval by the WIB Executive Board. Grants are reviewed at the monthly WIB Executive Board meetings.
Recipients will be required to:
- Pay 50% of Chamber membership upon approval of the Women Owned Business Grant. (Upon fulfillment of the requirments, second year Chamber membership will be discounted 50%.)
- Attend at least:
  - One (1) Membership 360 luncheon, and
  - One (1) Business After Hours event per quarter, and
  - Five (5) Women in Business luncheons (payment required)
- If unable to meet the attendance requirements, recipients may be required to forfeit the grant and/or pay for Chamber and Women in Business membership.
To take full advantage of Chamber membership, recipients are encouraged to participate in Chamber events, meetings, and networking opportunities.
- Get Involved – join committees in addition to Women in Business within the Chamber.
- Contribute to Chamber Activities
  - Volunteer – volunteer their time and expertise to help with Chamber activities, such as organizing events, mentoring new members, or participating in community service projects.
  - Share – provide their expertise and insights on industry trends, best practices, and relevant issues to enhance the Chamber resources.
- Promote Chamber Goals
  - Advocate – support and advocate for the Chambers’ mission, goals and initiatives within the community.
  - Collaborate – work with other members to achieve common goals and drive community development.
Those receiving a grant may be asked to share their experience with the members of the WIB Board, and if appropriate, with other members of WIB. The WIB Board reserves the right to publish testimonials. The grant recipient may also be asked to present an oral report (5 minutes max) at a WIB meeting.