Grants for Women Entrepreneurs: How $20,000 Became $114,000+ for Six Changemakers
What began as two $10,000 grants grew into six transformational grant packages valued at more than $19,000 each, demonstrating the power of community, collaboration, and investing in women who are changing the world.
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 9, 2026): The She Believed She Could™ Foundation announced the expansion of its inaugural ICONIC IMPACT Grant Initiative, transforming a program originally designed to provide $20,000 in grant support into an initiative delivering more than $114,000 in combined financial awards and donated professional services to six women entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders from across the United States.
Originally designed to recognize two recipients with grant packages valued at $10,000 each, the initiative expanded through contributions from business leaders, donors, and community partners, ultimately providing all six finalists with comprehensive packages valued at more than $19,000 each.
The recipients were celebrated during ICONIC IMPACT, a two-day leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth experience held November 5–6 in Winter Park and Orlando, Florida. The event was co-produced by She Believed She Could™ and Hi Hello Labs.
"We started with a vision to support two women, and our community helped us turn that into something far greater. What makes this so meaningful isn't just the dollar amount. It's the number of people who stepped forward and said, 'We believe in what these women are building, and we want to help.' That's how real impact happens." - Allison Walsh, Founder, She Believed She Could™ and the She Believed She Could™ Foundation
An International Response to a Local Initiative
The inaugural grant program received 658 applications from 48 states and U.S. territories and 14 countries, demonstrating significant demand for funding, mentorship, business development, and visibility opportunities among women entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Applicants were evaluated in two categories: Emerging Founder, recognizing women building businesses with growth potential, and Impact Leader, honoring women leading nonprofit and mission-driven initiatives.
Following multiple rounds of evaluation and interviews, six finalists were selected. Rather than awarding only one recipient in each category, the foundation expanded its commitment to support all six women.
Meet the 2026 Recipients of Our Grants for Women Entrepreneurs and Nonprofit Leaders
Emerging Founder
Impact Leader
Summer Willis, The Summer Willis Foundation | Houston, Texas
Ginny Botts, Support Our Scholars | Orlando, Florida
Bianca Isom, Bianca Modo Foundation | Atlanta, Georgia
Beyond Financial Support: A Collaborative Investment in Growth
The expanded initiative combines financial awards with business strategy, professional media production, speaker development, and executive presence training, creating a comprehensive support system for recipients. Contributing partners include:
Allison Walsh Consulting and She Believed She Could™ Media (SBSC Media): Private brand and business strategy intensives valued at $7,500 per recipient, representing $45,000 in combined strategic support.
Hi Hello Labs: Professional media packages valued at more than $4,000 per recipient, providing content creation and storytelling opportunities to expand recipients' visibility and reach.
Afreen Huq of HERD: Professional speaker training to strengthen communication, public speaking, and presentation skills.
Studio CARA: Founder Leslie Christin's Looks to Lead program, focused on executive presence and professional image.
Together, these contributions reflect a collaborative approach to philanthropy that combines financial investment with access to expertise, media platforms, and professional development opportunities that many early-stage founders and nonprofit leaders would otherwise have to fund independently.
Financial support for the initiative included sponsorship from Kim Casaburi of Serotonin Centers, who helped fund the Emerging Founder Grant, as well as contributions from generous local donors and other community supporters.
"These women are already creating meaningful change. Our goal is to surround them with the resources, relationships, and expertise that can help them grow. We wanted to create something that extends well beyond a single award and gives each recipient tools she can continue using long after the event." - Allison Walsh
Local Businesses and Community Partners Help Expand Impact
The inaugural ICONIC IMPACT experience was made possible through support from Hi Hello Labs, the Center for Health & Wellbeing, FiftyFlowers, Walsh Banks Law, Studio CARA, Serotonin Centers, Rae Nicole Events, Entreprenista, Farm Nine, Orange Appeal, Aveline, and Gala Rental, along with individual donors, volunteers, speakers, and community advocates.
The collaboration with Hi Hello Labs extended beyond event production to include professional media experiences for grant recipients, helping them share their stories and expand awareness of their work.
"Co-producing ICONIC IMPACT was about creating an experience that celebrates women while giving them the tools and opportunities to take their impact even further. We know how powerful visibility can be when someone has a story worth sharing. By helping these six women amplify their voices and the work they're doing, we're investing in opportunities that will extend far beyond the event itself. That's what makes this collaboration so meaningful." - Carolina Flores, Hi Hello Labs
Building on the Momentum
The She Believed She Could™ Foundation plans to build on the inaugural initiative by expanding partnerships and creating additional opportunities for women entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders.
"Six hundred fifty-eight women applied because they believed in what they were building and were ready for their next chapter. We were able to support six this year, and that's something we're incredibly proud of. But what excites me most is what this represents for the future. We started with two, grew to six, and demonstrated what becomes possible when a community comes together to invest in women. This is only the beginning." - Allison Walsh
About the She Believed She Could™ Foundation
The She Believed She Could™ Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women through education, leadership development, confidence-building, mentorship, and access to meaningful opportunities. Founded by bestselling author, international speaker, and entrepreneur Allison Walsh, the foundation supports women pursuing entrepreneurial, professional, and community impact goals through grants, strategic partnerships, and educational initiatives.
Media Contact
Allison Walsh, Founder, She Believed She Could™
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