NEW BEGINNINGS. The Red Letter Grant announced their expansion into eight new counties as well as the winners for the 2023 Fall grant cycle (pictured). (Photo via Facebook)

The Red Letter Grant, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2017, has been awarding business-boosting grants to entrepreneurial women in 10 counties of Wisconsin for years. Thanks to a grant from WBD Inc., the Red Letter coverage area has expanded to include eight more counties: Polk, Barron, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, Rusk, Price, and Taylor.

With the help of WBD Inc., a not-for-profit that helps facilitate small business loans, the Red Letter Grant can also hire a part-time program director in the region and expand its board of directors to include leaders from northwest Wisconsin, the Red Letter Grant said in a Nov. 3 Facebook post.

Red Letter makes grants biannually, awarding two $2,000 and two $5,000 grants during each cycle. They also hold small business workshops and peer networks. The awardees for the 2023 Fall Grants were announced Nov. 12.

Awardees included Rachel Rich and Ashley Duellman of Buffalo City and Alma, owners of The Coffee Camper; Marki Wolf of Boyceville, owner of Wolf Den Decor & Boutique; Wendy Branter of Durand, owner of Rustic Chic Retreat LLC.; and Kate Felton of Eau Claire, owner of Eau Claire Outdoors.

Applications for the next grant cycle will open at the beginning of 2024.

Learn more about the organization and the application process at redlettergrant.org.