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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Today, women are starting around 1300 new businesses per day, which is almost double the rate from only three years ago, according to the 2014 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. The report also shows that over the past 17 years the number of women-owned businesses has increased at 1.5 times the national average. And it's estimated that this year women-owned firms will hit a new milestone of 9.1 million firms in total.
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 2014 Smart Women Grants from now through July 7. 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.
Leslie Yoest (yost), vice-president of the Zions Bank Women's Financial Group, said the grants are part of the bank's commitment to bolster efforts of everyday heroes strengthening our communities by sharing their time and talents. Over the last nine years, Zions Bank has awarded over $180,000 through the Smart Women Grants program. Priority will be given to proposals promoting the empowerment of women, emphasizing collaboration between female entrepreneurs and benefitting low-income or underserved populations.
This is an important initiative especially with the number of 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 Monday, July 7. 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
