WIN Council Entrepreneurial Grant Application Due Date

Description

Application is now available. Due Date is Friday, October 9, 2026 

The Women in Networking Entrepreneurial MicroGrant program provides financial assistance to women-owned business who are 18 years of age or older and whose business is located in the Greater Valley towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour or Shelton. We’re here to help you build what's next! 

To ensure these microgrants create long-term growth, funds must be used for forward-looking investments rather than past liabilities. The money is intended as grant-in-aid for expenses to enhance the applicant’s current business or to start a business. The grant may be used for expenses such as equipment, marketing, or training/certification/recertification courses necessary to reach the applicant's business goals. The grant cannot be applied toward payroll, rent, existing debt, loan interest, or personal expenses. 

Since it's inception in 2004, the WIN Entrepreneurial Grant has supported the dreams of 101 women-owned businesses through grants and scholarships totaling over $92,000. 

Due the members’ outstanding passion for philanthropy and helping others, in 2007 the Grant Committee established the WIN Entrepreneurial MicroGrant Fund through the Valley Community Foundation to ensure it will continue for future generations. 

The initial grant of $500 allowed a young massage therapist to purchase a credit card machine to allow for safer transactions with her clients. Since that time, the program has supported the purchases of items such as commercial grade mixers, refrigerators and computer equipment to assistance with marketing campaigns, industry certifications and scholarships to WBDC training sessions with past grants ranging in size from $500 to $2,400. 

Each year the Council hosts a couple of fundraising events (including PowHERful Conversations in the Fall) to support both current year grant awards with any additional monies going towards the Foundation Fund. 

The WIN (Women In Networking) Council was formed in 2002 as a way to share hurdles unique to women in business by providing a warm, friendly atmosphere that is supportive, educational & dynamic. Members are a mix of female entrepreneurs, business owners, and key players in B2B services. WIN is a committee of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

Women-owned business in the Valley towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour or Shelton can click here for a copy of the 2026 application. 

Application due date is Friday, October 9th. Distribution of funds will be in early December 2026.