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Red Letter Grant Holding Two Award Ceremonies

Friday, April 17th, 2026 -- 2:01 PM

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Red Letter Grant, Inc., a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs, was recently awarded an $80,000 Small Business Development Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) along with $50,000 from the WBD, Inc. Opportunity Fund.

“These grants will allow communities to make the investments small businesses need to be able to grow and thrive,” said John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the state’s lead economic development organization.

“When that happens, communities become stronger and become places where people are excited to live, work, and grow.” The two-year project (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027) will deliver $2,000 and $4,000 Red Letter Grants twice a year in the spring and fall.

Grants will be awarded in two service regions covering 18 counties, enabling the organization to assist dozens of businesses, support the creation of local jobs, and leverage additional funding through matching resources.

“This funding from WEDC is a game-changer for women entrepreneurs in our region,” said Jordan Pospishil, Treasurer of Red Letter Grant, Inc. “With the expanded spring 2026 cycle offering eight grants per region, we can help even more innovative startups launch and thrive. This funding will provide the critical boost needed to turn ideas into sustainable businesses that strengthen local economies across western Wisconsin.”

The award is part of WEDC’s broader $1.5 million investment in small business development programs statewide, announced in early March. Additionally, Red Letter Grant assists with the administration of an Indigenous Women’s Grant that is funded by Cedar Growth (www.cedargrowth.org) and provides two (2) $2,000 grants each spring to eligible applicants from any county in Wisconsin.

Selected applicants for the Spring 2026 grant cycle will be celebrated at two upcoming award ceremonies, where they will learn whether they have been selected to receive funding based on their application region. These special events will also serve as fundraising celebrations to help support even more women entrepreneurs in future Red Letter Grant cycles.

  • Region 1 Celebration (Clark, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Jackson): Thursday, May 7, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Rustic Chic Retreat in Durand, WI
  • Region 2 Celebration (Taylor): Tuesday, May 12, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Roxie’s Bar & Grill in Almena, WI

About Red Letter Grant, Inc. Founded nearly a decade ago by Rebecca Cooke, Red Letter Grant, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It supports and empowers woman-owned startups in Wisconsin through biannual grant programs.

Since inception, RLG has awarded $164,000 to seventy-two (72) start-ups led by female entrepreneurs in western Wisconsin. For more information, to apply for a grant, or to learn about upcoming opportunities, visit www.redlettergrant.org.

Follow on Facebook at Red Letter Grant or Instagram @redlettergrant.

 

(Map courtesy of the Red Letter Grant via press release)

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