Grants available for women-owned businesses in Oneida, Herkimer counties

CLINTON, N.Y. — Women–owned businesses in Oneida and Herkimer counties have until the end of September to apply for grant funding worth $5,000, with a total of five awards available. The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties in cooperation with Baird Private Wealth Management and the Griffiss Institute are sponsoring the “Women Investing in Women” grants. Eligible businesses must be at least 51 percent women–owned and have been in existence for one year or more. The deadline for applying is Sept. 30. The application is available at www.womensfundhoc.org. The Women’s Fund began the Women Investing in Women initiative in 2022 and has awarded 14 grants of $5,000 each, for a total of $70,000 to women–owned businesses in Oneida and Herkimer Counties.

“Supporting women-owned businesses in our area has proven to be a welcome addition to the work of The Women’s Fund,” Ellen Rainey, VP of the Women’s Fund board of directors and the committee chair for the grants, said in the announcement. “Each year the number of applicants continues to increase, and we are hoping we get an even greater response this year. Even if applicants have applied in the past and not received the grant, we encourage the women to apply again. This initiative has brought local women-owned businesses together. They are supporting and helping each other grow.” The five grants of $5,000 will be awarded in November. Recipients may use the money for equipment, hardware/software, consulting services, training, education, and marketing. Milwaukee, Wisconsin–based Baird Private Wealth Management, which has an office in New Hartford, is a major contributor to the grant initiative, the Women’s Fund said. Baird has been a supporter since the grant initiative began. The Griffiss Institute is also a partner. The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is based at 2 Williams St. in Clinton. Its mission is to create economic, educational, and personal growth opportunities for women of all ages, and encourage their advancement and full participation in the community, according to its website. It is a volunteer-driven organization sustained solely by donor contributions and led by women who are committed to creating a movement to change the lives of women and girls in its area.