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for risk takers, movers + shakers

 

The SPRING 2026 grant cycle is now open!

 

| ELIGIBILITY | 

Open to women throughout 18 counties in western Wisconsin who want to start a NEW business. We consider the start-up phase to be three years old or younger. Expansions of businesses older than three years and franchises are not eligible. If you have already received a Red Letter Grant, you cannot re-apply for the same business, but you may apply for a new start-up.  RLG does not fund non-profit organizations.

Eligible counties include: 

Region 1: Buffalo, Clark, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, and Trempealeau. 

Six $2,000 grants and two $4,000 grants will be awarded in May 2026.

Region 2: Barron, Burnett, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor and Washburn.

Six $2,000 grants and two $4,000 grants will be awarded in May 2026.

Indigenous Women’s Grant: Indigenous women from any county in Wisconsin eligible to apply

Two $2,000 grants are awarded each spring

| SPRING 2026 Double-Grant Cycle |

March 2 - Applications OPEN

April 6 - (Monday) Application deadline. Applications are due at 11pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

April 6-27 - Judges review applications.

April 27- May 1 - Finalists will be invited to interview. Please note not all applicants will advance to the interview round.

May 4-8- Celebration and Awards. Region 1 and Region 2. Grantee announcement LIVE at these separate events. Date and Time TBD. All are welcome.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY
PREPARING TO APPLY
 
 

Join us at one of our upcoming information sessions to learn more about the Spring Grant Cycle for women throughout 18 counties in western Wisconsin who want to start a NEW business.

Virtual Information Session

Thursday –March 5, 2026 from 11am to 12pm
Online via Teams: Click Here for Teams Meeting Access

Region 1 Information Session

Tuesday –March 10, 2026 from 4pm to 5pm
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library –Room 105
400 Eau Claire St, Eau Claire, WI 54701

Region 2 Information Session

Wednesday –March 11, 2026 from 4pm to 5pm
Barron County Government Center–Room 110
330 E Monroe Ave,Barron,WI 54812

Can’t attend one of the upcoming sessions? Watch the virtual session we recently recorded below for information about the Red Letter Grant including:

  • Eligibility

  • Available Funding

  • Application Questions

  • Judging Criteria

  • Application Deadlines



| RESOURCES | We encourage you to utilize the following FREE community resources as you develop your business plan:

| OTHER RESOURCES/ACCESS TO CAPITAL |