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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Between 1997 and 2013, when the number of businesses in the United States increased by 41 percent, the number of women-owned firms increased by almost 60 percent, a rate one and a half times the national average! As of this year, there are over 8.6 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., according to the 2013 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. They've generated over $1.3 trillion in revenues and employ nearly 7.8 million people.
Zions Bank is dedicated to supporting this growing demographic of business owners. That's why the Zions Bank Women's Financial Group is accepting applications for its 2013 Smart Women Grants from now through June 28. These are open to anyone whose proposal promotes the empowerment of women or directly benefits women or low-income or underserved populations in Utah and Idaho.
Six $3,000 micro-grants will be awarded in each of the following categories: small business start-up and expansion; community development; continuing education and teacher support; child and/or elder care; health and human services; and arts and culture. You don't have to be a Zions Bank client to apply.
Cory Gardiner, president of the Zions Bank Women's Financial Group, said the grants are part of the bank's commitment to empower women in achieving financial independence. Over the last eight years, Zions Bank has awarded over $163,000 through the Smart Women Grants program. Priority will be given to proposals promoting the empowerment of women and emphasizing collaboration between female entrepreneurs.
This is an important initiative especially with the number breadwinner mothers growing. Pew Research recently released study which found mothers are now the top earners in four of 10 households in the U.S. and many are better educated than their husbands.
Applications for Smart Women Grants must be received or postmarked by Friday, June 28. Community peer review panels will select the grant recipients, to be announced in September. Visit zionsbank.com/smartwomen for more information.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Smart Women Grants 1-800-737-6586 www.zionsbank.com/smartwomen
