The Veteran Woman Grant is offered by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs at Texas Woman’s University (TWU) to support veteran woman-owned small businesses in Texas. The program aims to foster economic development by providing financial assistance for innovative projects that can help businesses expand and strengthen their operations. In this round of funding, five grants of $5,000 each will be awarded, totaling $25,000 in funding. The winners of the grant will be announced on March 11, 2025.

The grant is specifically available to for-profit veteran woman-owned businesses, which must be at least 51% directly owned and controlled by one or more veteran women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Eligible business structures include sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, LLPs, and corporations. Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must meet criteria such as current tax compliance, no felony or dishonesty-related convictions, no ongoing litigation, and active adherence to all required business laws and permits. The business must also be located and operated within Texas. Certain individuals, such as TWU faculty, staff, students, past winners of any CWE grant, and participants in specific CWE programs, are ineligible.

Grant funds must be used for business-related expenses such as purchasing machinery, equipment, technology, inventory, marketing campaigns, or property improvements that contribute to business growth. However, funds cannot be used for wages, salaries, sales tax, or general compensation, though consultant fees for business projects are allowed. Awardees will receive funding in two payments: the first half is disbursed after all TWU paperwork is completed, and the second half is issued upon completion of a virtual small business training course, approval of a business plan, and submission of receipts for the initial disbursement.

Applications must be submitted electronically by February 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM, with no revisions or multiple submissions allowed. Required documentation includes business formation documents proving at least 51% woman ownership, a DD214 or other veteran verification, and a detailed project description following a specific template. Applicants must also submit a budget showing how funds will be used, along with supporting documentation such as vendor proposals, quotes, or preliminary invoices. Applications missing required documentation will be disqualified.

Awardees must meet additional post-award requirements, including completing a small business training course, submitting a business plan, spending three hours with a small business advisor, and providing itemized receipts for grant-funded expenses. Grant funds must be matched with at least a 10% owner investment, which cannot be associated with debt. All grant requirements must be met by September 11, 2025, or funds will be forfeited. Successful applicants will receive a 1099 tax form for grant funds received.

For questions or document verification, applicants can contact CWE at CWEgrants@twu.edu. Additional guidance is available in the grant guidelines, FAQs, and videos provided by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs.