Financial Assistance

Learn how to get a small business loan of up to $50,000

Women-owned businesses are growing exponentially, yet they produce less revenue than male-owned businesses and part of the reason is under-funding. Women who do receive loans generally find the risk well worth the reward. We can help you determine if it’s right for you.

WEDC Micro Loan

WEDC and the Business Outreach Center’s (BOC) Network with its BOC Capital Corp. are collaborating to provide clients with $500-$50,000 microloans for their small businesses. WEDC’s partner, BOC Capital Corp, is a not-for-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a certified Community Development Entity (CDE) dedicated to providing micro-enterprise financing, with a special focus on small-business, women, minority and immigrant entrepreneurs. Contact Veronica Bazan at vbazan@wedcbiz.org or download an application.

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Kiva Zip

As a Kiva Zip Trustee, WEDC is authorized to recommend potential borrowers for this on-line, interest free crowdfunding platform. If you are a WEDC client, you may be eligible for interest free loans up to $2500. For additional information about Kiva Zip click here. If you are interested in a Kiva Zip loan, please Contact us at info@wedcbiz.org.

The WEDC Scholarship Program

WEDC offers a limited number of scholarships to qualified WEDC graduates in subjects related to their industries. The number and amount of these scholarships are limited (generally between $200-$400 each). This program is made possible by a grant from EILEEN FISHER. Download an application NOW!

Additional Sources for Business Financing

Pursuit provides businesses with affordable loans and resources so that they can reach higher, transform and grow. We’re a nationally-recognized organization that focuses on serving businesses and lending partners in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Community Capital drives capital and resources to start-ups and small business owners in the Hudson Valley typically excluded from current systems. Community Capital New York is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, SBA Lender, and a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution

Grants and Crowd Funding

Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance: Guidance and key resources to help eligible grant seekers find information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance, as well as on private funding. Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for the U.S. Senate, updated December 2018.

New York State Seed Funding Grant Program: The New York State Seed Funding Grant Program (the “Program”) was created to provide assistance to early-stage small businesses to succeed in a recovering New York State economy.

Amber Grant Fund: The Amber Grants began in 1998. It was launched by WomensNet to honor the memory of a young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at the age of 19 – unable to fulfill her entrepreneurial dreams.

Hello Alice: Partners with a variety of companies, such as Progressive and DoorDash, to offer different grants for small businesses, including startups.

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest: The company’s annual grant competition awards over $250,000 to 10 small businesses, including a $50,000 grant and $4,000 in FedEx print and business services to its three grand prize winners.

The Awesome Foundation: The Awesome Foundation is an ever-growing worldwide community devoted to forwarding the interest of awesome in the universe. Have a crazy brilliant idea that needs funding? We award $1,000 grants every month.

Women You Should Fund is the bridge that connects the power of women-led innovation and women-driven investment to usher in much needed change.

iFundWomen is the only funding ecosystem designed specifically for early-stage, female entrepreneurs.