The Association of Women’s Business Centers and Stearns Bank Commit $300 Million in Funding for Women Owned Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: info@awbc.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 6, 2024 The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) has announced the launch of the HOPE2Women Funding Center, a groundbreaking platform designed to provide small business owners with access to capital, resources, and mentorship. 

Stearns Bank, known for its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs, is partnering with AWBC to create an inclusive ecosystem for small business owners. Together, they aim to provide $300 million in capital annually to small businesses by leveraging Women’s Business Centers across the country by equipping them with the financial support and technical assistance needed to grow and thrive in today’s competitive market.

Corinne, AWBC CEO shares: “Together, the national women’s business center network, comprised of more than 150 centers, and Stearns Bank, are making the funding for women owned businesses a strategic priority. We are excited to take on this bold goal of $300 million and are looking forward to ushering hundreds of women’s businesses through the process of realizing their business growth potential. When businesses grow, our economy expands, and that impact is needed in almost every corner of the country.”

Kelly, Stearns Bank CEO, has this to say about the partnership: “Stearns Bank is excited to partner with the Association of Women’s Business Centers to achieve our $300 million goal – yes, $300 million of funding each year — to empower entrepreneurs to access essential capital to grow their businesses at all stages. As a majority women-owned and nearly 25% employee-owned bank that has been growing and financing businesses nationwide for decades, we understand how entrepreneurs build successful businesses across every industry. We are deeply proud to continue investing in Women’s Business Centers and the growth of small business owners nationwide to ensure they continue to start and scale their businesses in record numbers.”

Next Steps: How to Get Started with Funding
Entrepreneurs interested in learning more about funding opportunities can visit hope2women.org/funding-center for free resources designed to help small business owners. Whether you’re looking for a small business loan or guidance on your journey toward securing financial support, AWBC and Stearns Bank are here to help you succeed.

For more information, please visit hope2women.org/funding-center to learn how you can get started today.

About AWBC
The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) is the leading national voice and resource for igniting the economic power of women’s entrepreneurship. AWBC advocates for and supports a network of over 150 Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) across the United States. These centers provide entrepreneurs with free coaching, networking opportunities, small business resources, training, and more. AWBC’s mission is to ensure that small business owners have the tools and support they need to succeed in business and contribute to the broader economy.

About Stearns Bank
Stearns Bank is a $3.3 billion national bank that is majority women-owned and governed, with a nationwide customer base of businesses in every state, dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. With a reputation for innovative lending solutions and specialized suite of services tailored for business banking and growth, Stearns Bank has helped countless business owners achieve their goals and the legacy they are aspiring to build. Stearns Bank is proud to partner with AWBC to provide comprehensive financial solutions for women entrepreneurs nationwide.

For more information about the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) and its initiatives, visit www.awbc.org.

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The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1998 to support the national network of Women’s Business Centers (WBC) with programming and advocacy. The AWBC works to secure economic and entrepreneurial opportunities for women by supporting and sustaining a national network of over 150 Women’s Business Centers (WBC) in every State in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. WBCs have more than 30-years of success in providing educational training, mentoring, free business counseling, business development, and financing opportunities to over 150,000 women entrepreneurs and small businesses each year. The WBC program is a public-private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. To learn more about AWBC visit www.awbc.org.