The Red Letter Grant launched a Relief Fund on Tuesday, May 5, aimed at supporting existing womxn-owned businesses throughout the 10-county region of western Wisconsin it currently serves. The Relief Fund will give preference to minority owned business owners: persons of color and the LGBTQA population. An estimated 90% of minority and women business owners were shut out of the Paycheck Protection Program – leaving gaps felt in a big way regionally and across the country. Community Development Financial Institutions are also sparse in western Wisconsin, giving our region less access to the support provided by WEDC’s SB 20/20 program. 

As a nonprofit that has primarily served women in the start-up phase, the Red Letter Grant board voted to pivot this application period to serve a more pressing issue: keeping doors open. 

They are launching a fundraising campaign as part of Giving Tuesday to raise funds to be dispersed to 15 business in the form of $1,000 grants. The application process will run similarly to the typical cycles with a diverse judging team overseeing the application process and conducting interviews. The Red Letter Grant will still award one start-up grant this period for women who had already been working on applications and because times like this often foster innovation. All grant applications – both start-up and relief applications – are due by May 18. This is a quicker turnaround period than normal as they are working to meet needs quickly. 

To apply for Relief Funds, follow this link.

To apply for Start-Up Funds, follow this link.