D.C. and Los Angeles-based nonprofit Regarding Her has launched the 2024 Regarding Her Academy, which aims to provide twenty grants of $5,000 each to qualifying women-owned food and beverage businesses.
Regarding Her was created by women owners to support struggling women-owned businesses during the pandemic. Launched in 2021, the Regarding Her grant and education program for women food and beverage entrepreneurs has distributed $350,000 to 25 businesses; ten recipients used the funds for expansion, while fifteen used them to prevent closure.
For the first time, the Academy will be available to businesses in the D.C. area, extending to Baltimore and Richmond.
“Women-owned businesses face significant challenges in securing business loans and raising capital,” the nonprofit said in a press release. “However, such financial support can greatly influence the success and growth of small businesses.”
In addition to the grants, the program includes a ten-week intensive academy for the 20 selected women-identifying hospitality business owners in the D.C. and Los Angeles areas. The Academy aims to enhance the financial success of participating businesses, streamline growth processes aligned with owners’ personal goals and values, and provide a peer-to-peer support network for new business owners.
The 2024 Academy targets women-identifying owners of early-stage food and beverage businesses. Eligible applicants must be members of Regarding Her’s D.C. or Los Angeles chapters (membership can be obtained during the application period), with companies operating for one to three years and projected 2024 revenues between $250,000 and $1 million.
Additionally, businesses must also be at least 10% women-owned.
Applications will be accepted until June 15, and winners will be announced by the week of July 15. The program will begin on July 22. Details about the Academy, application process, and membership information are available at regardingherfood.org/academy2024.
