Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you must have already filed your formation documents. You can file an assumed name at your local county clerk for about $25.00.

No, the grant can only be used for a for-profit business. Per legislation: a business concern must be a small business as defined in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 13 part 121 for its primary industry classification. 13 CFR 127.200(a). 13 CFR 121.105(a)(1) provides that a business concern must be organized for profit to meet the definition of a small business. 501(c)3 is not organized for profit and as such does not qualify as a small business.

No, the grant is open to any Veteran woman-owned business in the state of Texas. In fact, applicants who are TWU faculty/staff (or any immediate family member of the applicant including spouse, child, parent), trustee, advisory committee member, or a student at TWU are not eligible to apply.

No, previous winners are not eligible to apply.

Include all pages of signed and dated formation documentation that your business is 51% or more woman-owned and controlled. This is the only documentation we will accept — anything else will immediately disqualify you — you can send the documentation to cwegrants@twu.edu to check verification if you are unsure.

• Any current woman-owned certification
• Texas Veteran Commission document showing you own 51% or more of business
• Sole proprietor/assumed name/DBA filings show only women listed in them, if a spouse is added, percentages must be shown and proven.
• LLC or LLP Partnerships Every page of your Certificate of Formation showing the company’s managers. If a man is listed, you must also send your articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, or other agreement showing percentages owned by both of you, which need to be signed and dated.
• Corporations — Company bylaws, shares, or woman-owned certification

Do not send anything that is not listed above — including an EIN, Sales & Use Tax Permit, a passport, or a copy of your driver’s license, social security card, or credit card. This is the number one disqualifier of all grant applications.

DD214 with Honorable or General (under honorable conditions) discharge. Formation documents showing you own 51% or more ownership.

No, the grant cannot be used for wages, salaries, sales tax, contract labor or compensation of any type.

Examples of how our other grant winners have used funds include marketing materials and promotional items, computers, software, office furniture, a lathe, computers, pos system and a vehicle to pull a food trailer.

No, monthly bills cannot be paid with the grant funding.

10% in owner-investment must be committed to the project.  This can be in cash, start-up costs/licensing, supplies or equipment for the project.

These are mandatory. All classes will be virtual. If you cannot participate in the class, please make arrangements with our office to access the recorded videos of each section.

ONLY winners will need to send in a business plan.

A plan isn’t required for the application. In fact, we prefer not to receive business plans as it makes it too difficult for judges to find the required answers. All business plans must be current. If you don’t have one we can give you a business plan template or set you up with a LivePlan business plan account. New and startup businesses must complete a full business plan, businesses 5 years or older can submit a Business Model Canvas. Send an email to CWEgrants@twu.edu if you want a template.

Will your project add to the sales tax base, create jobs or have some other contribution to the community?

You can check the taxable entity search https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/ . If your business shows forfeited your business is not eligible for the grant. You can call the state to find out what you need to do.

Source is who is providing the funds and Use is what the funds are used for.

Example:

Grant applications are due by 5:00:00 p.m. CST on Feb. 21, 2025, via our online application. Please allow plenty of time on the due date as applications received after 5:00:00 p.m. will be disqualified. We will only accept online submissions.

All questions will be answered by email — CWEgrants@twu.edu. Please do not call as we keep a record of all questions.