| 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. 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. 

Eligible funds: Two $5,000 grants and two $2,000 grants are awarded each spring and fall.

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

Eligible funds: Four $2,000 grants are awarded each spring and fall.

*NEW *

Indigenous Women’s Start-up Grant

In partnership with First Nations Community Financial, the Red Letter Grant is pleased to offer a $2,000 grant this Spring 2024 and in Fall of 2024 to Indigenous women entrepreneurs throughout Wisconsin. Please denote on your application your Tribal membership. Applicants must reside and do business in the state of Wisconsin, as well as be part of one of the 11 federally recognized Tribes.

| Spring 2024 Timeline | 

April 15th - Application deadline. Applications are due at 11pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

April 15th - May 10th - Judges review applications. See who will judge in your region.

May 13th - 17th - Top applicants will be invited to interview. Please note not all applicants will advance to the interview round.

May 22nd - Region 1 and Indigenous Women Start-Up Grant Awards | 5pm- 6:30pm at the Pine Pavillion in Carson Park, Eau Claire

May 28th - Region 2 Awards, | 5pm-6:30pm at the Lion’s Club North Park Picnic Shelter | 631 Riverside Blvd., Amery

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

• Small Business Development Centers at:

  • UW-Eau Claire: https://wisconsinsbdc.org/centers/eauclaire/

  • UW-La Crosse: https://wisconsinsbdc.org/centers/lacrosse/

  • UW-River Falls: www.uwrf.edu/CBE/Centers/SmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter

  • UW-Superior: https://wisconsinsbdc.org/centers/superior/

• Women’s Business Center - Western Dairyland: www.successfulbusiness.org/#

• Entrepreneurs’ Toolkit: https://wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/entrepreneurs-toolkit/introduction/

• SCORE of Western Wisconsin: westernwisconsin.score.org

• First Nations Community Financial: https://firstnationsfinancial.org/our-services/

| OTHER RESOURCES/ACCESS TO CAPITAL |

• DECI Jump-Start Competition: www.downtowneauclaire.org/jumpstart/

• EDC Idea Challenge: www.eauclaire-wi.com/entrepreneurs/idea-challenge/

• Doyenne Group: https://doyennegroup.org/