MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE WOMEN. Red Letter Grant, a locally founded nonprofit supporting female entrepreneurs, is now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 grant cycle. This year is particularly special; it's a "double grant cycle." (Photo via Facebook of 2019 awards event)

Since its founding nearly a decade ago, the Red Letter Grant has supported over 50 women-owned start-ups across northwestern Wisconsin. This spring, the nonprofit organization will double the amount of grants up for grabs.

Red Letter Grant, locally founded by politician and former small business owner Rebecca Cooke, was created to support and empower female entrepreneurs. That mission is met, in part, through its biannual grant awards.

In late February, Red Letter Grant announced a first for the organization: this year’s spring cycle will be a “double grant cycle.”

The grant expansion announcement follows recent coverage area growth. In 2024, Red Letter Grant expanded its original ten-county stretch to a total 18 counties, divided between “Region One” and “Region Two.”

Region One counties include Buffalo, Clark, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix and Trempealeau; Region Two includes Barron, Burnett, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor and Washburn counties.

Most recently, Red Letter Grant awarded four grants per region. This spring, eight grants will be awarded per region – six $2,000 grants and two $4,000 grants each – totaling 16 grant opportunities.

To be eligible, businesses must be three years old or less; majority woman-owned; located within Red Letter Grant’s 18-county area or an Indigenous woman-owned business statewide, and complete the online application.

A multi-person panel of judges will review all applications based on four criteria points: long-term viability to succeed; financial need for the grant; need in the community for the business; passion for the project.

Since 2017, Red Letter Grant has awarded grants to over 50 women-owned start-ups. 2019 winners, photographed by Ivy Media, pictured.

Previous winners include Eau Claire's Dotters Books, Ewe & Me Wool Company, and The Good Wives, among others. Check out the full list of previous winners online.

Applications for the Spring 2026 grant cycle are open now through 11pm on Monday, April 6. Finalists will be invited for the interview round sometime between April 27-May 1 with winners for both regions announced live at respective events (dates and times to be determined).

Learn more about the Red Letter Grant and view the grant application online at www.redlettergrant.org.