In Focus: Some resources like schemes, initiatives & grants for women entrepreneurship in Rhode Island
#WomenEntrepreneurs #RhodeIslandBusiness #FemaleFounders #BusinessInnovation #OceanStateOpportunity
Rhode Island, affectionately known as “The Ocean State” is home to a thriving community of women entrepreneurs. And, striving to drive innovation, they are contributing significantly to the local economy. With small businesses accounting for 95% of the state’s businesses and over half of these being women-led – Rhode Island offers a wealth of opportunities for aspiring and established women entrepreneurs.
Fuelling Opportunities in “The Ocean State” for Women Business Owners
The state provides a range of schemes & resources to help women navigate their entrepreneurial journeys. The Rhode Island Foundation stands out as a key supporter – offering grants and loans tailored to female-owned businesses. Organizations like the Women’s Venture Fund provide invaluable training and mentorship, equipping women with the tools and knowledge needed to build sustainable enterprises. Moreover, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training supports small businesses through its Microloan Program, while the US Small Business Administration (SBA) offers specialized financing options and guidance for women entrepreneurs.
These initiatives open doors to – funding, education & strategic partnerships, empowering women to grow their ventures and contribute to Rhode Island’s vibrant economic landscape. With these supportive resources, women entrepreneurs in the Ocean State are building businesses that are not only impactful, but also pave the way for future generations.
Here are some resources like schemes, initiatives and grants for women entrepreneurship in Rhode Island.
> The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE)
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a non-profit economic empowerment organization. Their mission is to strengthen communities and the economy – by supporting women to launch and successfully sustain businesses.
Launched in 2000, the Rhode Island Women’s Business Center operates in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. They offer consultations, workshops & networking opportunities to help you reach your entrepreneurial goals.
https://cweonline.org/our-centers/cwe-rhode-island
> The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, governed by the State of Rhode Island, specializes in workforce protection and development services. The department offers labor market information – for various businesses. Its workforce development services division – provides education & training services for federal, state and local agencies.
The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training provides foreign labor certification services for foreign workers who are temporarily authorized by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The department offers occupational skills training and job placement services for young people between the ages of 14 and 24. In addition, it provides employment counseling services for veterans too. Plus, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training conducts stress and financial management workshops.
> CWE Rhode Island Women’s Business Center
Here what you can get is that people annually receive programs and services they need-to transform their lives and make a real impact on the local economy, in terms of job creation and increased wages.
> The Rhode Island Foundation
Founded in 1904, The Rhode Island Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Providence, Rhode Island. It is one of the largest and oldest community foundations in the United States.
The foundation’s mission is – to improve the lives of Rhode Islanders by providing grants and resources to non-profit organizations that work to advance education, health, economic security & community development. The Rhode Island Foundation is a significant force for good in the Ocean State – supporting initiatives that benefit low-income families, seniors, and vulnerable populations.
Rhode Island Government Agencies
> Rhode Island Department of State – Business Services Division
What does the Department of State Business Services Division take care of? It basically maintains Rhode Island’s state business registry. While they record new business formations and ongoing business registration activity, they also provide thoughtful guidance and comprehensive services to those planning to start and maintain a business or non-profit organization in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island businesses can learn to plan for success, start a new business, maintain your existing business, and close your business.
Foreign businesses can learn to plan for success, register your business in Rhode Island, maintain your business, and withdraw your business.
Non-profit organizations can learn to plan for success, start a new nonprofit, maintain
your existing nonprofit, and close your nonprofit.
> Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation works with public, private & non-profit partners to help businesses in all sectors thrive. They also serve as a government and community resource – to help businesses expand in, and relocate to, Rhode Island.
So, the Rhode Island Commerce assists companies with:
– Commercial real estate and property searches
– Business financing, renewable energy grants, and science and technology grants
– Tax credits and other incentives
– Workforce training and talent development
> Rhode Island Small Business Administration – SBA
The Rhode Island SBA is supported by its district office in Providence. They provide services including – funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications & disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders & other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
This office in Providence serves the entire state of Rhode Island.
Examples of educational programs and events include -The Business of Fashion, EmpowerHerTech, Google Certification, and QuickBooks Bootcamp.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/rhode-island-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
Rhode Island Agencies & Non-profit Organizations
> Center for Women & Enterprise – CWE – Rhode Island
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a non-profit economic empowerment organization that empowers women both to launch & successfully sustain businesses. It offers many services like – consultations, workshops, and networking opportunities to help you reach your entrepreneurial goals.
So, CWE provides – education, training, technical assistance, and Women’s Business Enterprise (BWE) certification.
To elaborate, the clients represent a variety of racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
> SCORE Rhode Island
SCORE Rhode Island serves Rhode Island and the South Coast of Massachusetts. It provides free mentoring and low-cost training to entrepreneurs – in the planning stage of business development or ready to go to the next level of growth.
SCORE Rhode Island provides:
– volunteer mentors who share their expertise across many industries
– free, confidential business mentoring
– free business tools, templates, and tips
– inexpensive or free business workshops and webinars
> Rhode Island Small Business Development Center – RI SBDC
Rhode Island SBDC basically provides RI small business owners with the services & expertise they need to succeed: no cost expert counseling, relevant training & access to important resources.
You get help in any area of your business journey.
Starting a business? Free no-cost or low-cost seminars, led by counselors and business professionals, on popular topics related to starting and growing small businesses in Rhode Island, are geared towards new business owners and those in the pre-venture stage.
Need help with your existing business? No-cost, individual counseling can address financial planning, business plan development, market research, loan application development, branding, licensing and permits, and more.
Training Webinars: View past webinars or register for upcoming webinars offered by
expert advisors.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/rhode-island-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
Funding – State and Federal Sources
> US Small Business Administration – Funding Resources
The US Small Business Administration assists small businesses get the funding they need. And the funding resources include:
– Loans: Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA.
– Investment capital: Find an investor for your business. Investors make both debt and equity investments.
– Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster loans.
– Surety bonds: Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed surety bond.
– Grants: Look for government grants that help businesses do scientific research and development.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/rhode-island-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
> Amber Grant
Since 1998, WomensNet has helped businesses reach out to grants, loans and other funding for women-owned businesses. If you connect here, it is a good start with this grant – Amber Grants for Women.
Women entrepreneurs from Rhode Island (and all over America) can apply for this grant every month.
How does it work?
Their judges award a trio of $10,000 Amber Grants every month. If you win, you automatically have a chance to be awarded one of their $25,000 year-end Amber Grants. Imagine what $35,000 in total grant funds would do for your business!!
https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-rhode-island/
> 84 Women Grants for Rhode Island
Here you get grants for women entrepreneurs, seed money to individual women, college grants for women, small business grants for women, enterprise grants & grants for minority women too.
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