Women's Business Development Council Inc
Women’s Business Development Council Inc. (WBDC) is a public charity based in Stamford, Connecticut, that supports women’s economic prosperity and strengthens communities through entrepreneurial and financial education, business advising, and grants. The organization’s 2025 filing says it serves clients across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns through four regional offices.
Women's Business Development Council Inc at a glance
In short: Women's Business Development Council Inc gave $2.3M across 188 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Connecticut. 90% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,299,950
- -73.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 188
- -60.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,234
- -32.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $12,912,760
- +3.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 90% first-time grantees (170 of 188, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Women's Business Development Council Inc
- How to Apply
-
WBDC describes application requirements for its grant programs, including eligibility criteria and, for Ignite, an application and supporting documentation. Its website also offers information sessions and free one-on-one business advising. The Ignite application cycle listed for February 3 through March 18, 2026, was a past cycle as of October 2, 2026.
- Review Cycle
- The website says the next Ignite and Accelerate funding rounds will open in early 2027.
- Deadline
- The website says the next Ignite and Accelerate funding rounds will open in early 2027.
- Contact
Mailing address: 422 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: (203) 353-1750
Website: https://ctwbdc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Women's Business Development Council Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Southern CT Hebrew Academy ($42K). Together the top 10 received $267K.
Grant Size Distribution
1,131 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,131 grants of 1,131 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WBDC serves clients across Connecticut, including all 169 cities and towns, according to its 2025 filing. Its 2025 grant dollars went entirely to Connecticut recipients. The website’s grant programs focus on Connecticut businesses, with a separate program for businesses based in Waterbury.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 188 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Women's Business Development Council Inc open to new grantees?
90%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 170 of 188 grantees (90%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 3% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−18%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $829K (2021) to $8.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 188 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Southern CT Hebrew Academy Orange, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $41,705 |
| Little Sprouts Learning Center Inc Guilford, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
| Metzuyan Childcare Inc Waterbury, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
| Tiny Learners Childcare Hartford, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
| Nay's Little Rascals Pre-School LLC Stratford, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
| Teacher Tots LLC Stratford, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
| Little Rascals Nursery School Inc Danbury, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
| Rocio's Learning Development Center LLC Naugatuck, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
| Little Explorers Academy LLC Putnam, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
| Willow Academy LLC Seymour, CT | OEC Grant Pool | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $12,912,760 | $8,226,373 | $7,783,951 | $2,299,950 | 188 | $97,557 |
| 2024 | $12,510,437 | $19,332,789 | $13,870,331 | $8,558,513 | 470 | $121,134 |
| 2023 | $7,651,236 | $7,391,783 | $7,322,220 | $2,576,129 | 198 | $19,493 |
| 2022 | $3,422,440 | $6,726,773 | $6,707,087 | $2,802,959 | 189 | $1,557 |
| 2021 | $3,884,077 | $5,259,067 | $4,133,229 | $828,875 | 86 | $802 |
| 2020 | $4,156,512 | $4,313,133 | $3,939,613 | $1,764,530 | 115 | $743 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
WBDC’s mission is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut.
Its services include one-on-one business advising, classes, on-demand learning, and mentoring. It also helps clients identify sources of capital and navigate funding applications and compliance. Its filing describes a business support program for Connecticut child care providers, with training, technical assistance, financial coaching, mentoring, and fiscal and technology incentives.
The 2025 filing describes grants for defined business projects and separate support for child care providers, including technology awards and grants for business sustainability and growth. Examples of supported organizations include Metzuyan Childcare Inc, whose stated mission is early childhood childcare and Jewish education. Riverfront Children’s Center Inc says its mission is to provide affordable, high-quality early childhood education and family support services. The Regional Young Men’s Christian organization describes a mission focused on youth potential, community health and well-being, and opportunities to support neighbors.
Grantmaking
WBDC’s 2025 filing reports 188 grants totaling $2,299,950. Awards ranged from $5,100 to $41,705, with a median award of $10,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut. The largest listed award was $41,705 to Southern CT Hebrew Academy in Orange, for the OEC Grant Pool. Metzuyan Childcare Inc in Waterbury received $25,000, also for the OEC Grant Pool.
WBDC’s website lists several grant programs. Launch Pad offers grants of up to $2,500 to qualified early-stage Connecticut women-owned businesses. Ignite offers grants of $2,500 to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses. Accelerate offers grants of up to $25,000 to qualifying past recipients of WBDC’s Equity Match Grant, Ignite, or Municipal Grants. The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund offers grants of up to $25,000 to licensed, qualified child care businesses, through a partnership with Connecticut’s Office of Early Childhood. A Waterbury-specific program offers eligible businesses grants of up to $10,000 from the city and WBDC.
Ignite grants are for clearly defined projects with measurable business impact. Its stated exclusions include operating expenses, real estate improvements, past purchases, and debt repayment. Eligibility includes requirements related to ownership, Connecticut location and registration, business history and revenue, and good standing with the state. Child care businesses are not eligible for Ignite; WBDC directs them to its child care programs. Accelerate is limited to qualifying prior WBDC grant recipients who have demonstrated revenue growth connected to that funding. Its stated exclusions include operating expenses, past purchases, and debt repayment.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Moira Collins as chair and Lindsey Kopp as vice chair. It lists Michael Weinstock, Marissa Weidner, Judith Corprew, Sarah Watson, Ann Matthews, Pamela Days-Luketich, Karen Goyette, and Nichelle Waddell as directors.
Women's Business Development Council Inc is led by Fran Pastore, Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 27 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Fran Pastore
Chief Executive Officer
President & CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$263K (2020) → $344K (2025)
Moira Collins
Chair
Director → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Ham
Finance Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$104K (2020) → $101K (2025)
Danielle Ruggiero
Senior Director of Programs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$109K (2025)
Joann Gulbin
Director of Marketing
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Flavia Naslausky
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Matthews
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Davis
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marissa Weidner
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Weinstock
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nichelle Waddell
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Watson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trish Havey
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Rahilly
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jody Sunna
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judith Corprew
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Goyette
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leidy Nunez
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marlene Piche
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Days-Luketich
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Khanna
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tal Kadar
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brenda Thickett
Chief Operating Officer
Director → Vice President of Programs, 2021
Vice President of Programs → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$120K (2021) → $234K (2025)
Tasha Jackson
Chief Financial & People
CFO → Chief Financial & People Officer, 2024
Chief Financial & People Officer → Chief Financial & People, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$29K (2022) → $234K (2025)
Janet Defrino
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Castellano
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Kopp
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (37)
- Former: Elana Milianta (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Elizabeth T. Hirsch (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Sharon Kane (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Patti Melick (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Sandra Arkell (2021–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Katia Lacy (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Erin Kang (2024) — Director
- Former: Louise Lisboa (2024) — Vice President of Child Care Program & Impact
- Former: Monica Moore (2024) — Director
- Former: Sonia Hounsell (2024) — Director
- Former: Travis Parman (2024) — Director
- Former: Chantal Coffy (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Dorothy Bratchell (2020–2023) — COO
- Former: Gail Lehman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Wilson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Shoshana Lubin (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Vanessa Abrahams-John (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Denise Kaufman (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Greg Behrman (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Louise Lisboa-Menezes (2022–2023) — Operations Manager
- Former: Martha Finkel (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Tracy Gibbons (2021–2022) — CFO & Controller
- Former: Caroline Simmons (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Evelyn Isaia (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kerri Holloway (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Wiehl (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Susie Robinson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Elif Affan (2021) — Director
- Former: Jackie Ryan (2021) — Director
- Former: Chris Landino (2020) — Vice President of External Affairs
- Former: Leanne Shofi (2020) — Director
- Former: Maryann Donovan (2020) — Director
- Former: Michael Moore (2020) — Director
- Former: Rachel Ginsberg (2020) — Director
- Former: Robin Imbrogno (2020) — Director
- Former: Sandra Bell (2020) — Director
- Former: Valerie Senew (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $344K, to Fran Pastore (Chief Executive Officer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Women's Business Development Council Inc
How much does Women's Business Development Council Inc give each year?
Women's Business Development Council Inc gave $2.3M across 188 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $8.6M across 470 grants.
What is Women's Business Development Council Inc's typical grant size?
Women's Business Development Council Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,234, across 188 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Women's Business Development Council Inc that year got $12K on average.
Where does Women's Business Development Council Inc give grants?
Women's Business Development Council Inc gives mostly in Connecticut: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Waterbury, CT (24 grants), New Haven, CT (9 grants), Hartford, CT (8 grants) and West Hartford, CT (7 grants).
Does Women's Business Development Council Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 188 grants with a stated purpose on Women's Business Development Council Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Decd Grant Pool" (96 grants), "OEC Grant Pool" (63 grants) and "Opportunity Fund Grant Pool (Private Funding)" (17 grants).
Who are Women's Business Development Council Inc's largest grantees?
Women's Business Development Council Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Southern CT Hebrew Academy ($41,705), Little Sprouts Learning Center Inc ($25,000) and Metzuyan Childcare Inc ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 4% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Women's Business Development Council Inc?
Women's Business Development Council Inc reported $12.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.2M.
What does Women's Business Development Council Inc fund?
WBDC’s mission is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Women's Business Development Council Inc?
WBDC describes application requirements for its grant programs, including eligibility criteria and, for Ignite, an application and supporting documentation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Women's Business Development Council Inc's EIN?
Women's Business Development Council Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1493737. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 21, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Women's Business Development Council Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Women's Business Development Council Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Women's Business Development Council Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/women-s-business-development-council-inc-morg_207acbd5ef0c4ef7a5a7ef87fab18f71
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061493737_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Women's Business Development Council Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/women-s-business-development-council-inc-morg_207acbd5ef0c4ef7a5a7ef87fab18f71},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Women's Business Development Council Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Women's Business Development Council Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?