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Women's Business Development Center at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

Women's Business Development Center

The mission of the WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (wbdc) is to support and accelerate business development and growth, serving all business owners to strengthen their participation in, and impact on, the economy.

$5.9M
Granted FY2025still arriving
50
Grants FY2025still arriving
2
States reached
$368k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2021 to 2025.

Community Improvement$88MEducation$158kCrime & Legal$40kEmployment$35kHuman Services$30kArts & Culture$20kFood & Nutrition$20kAnimals$10kOther$0
02FY2025 · 50 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 50 grants below total $5,548,700, the rows itemized in this filing. The $5,884,199 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $335,499 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2025

  • $10k–50k1 grant · $17k
  • $50k–250k45 grants · $4.2M
  • $250k+4 grants · $1.3M
$75,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$8.9M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
ILLINOIS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE$368,105
ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION$321,693
BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION$311,116
ALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS FKA ACCION CHICAGO INC$303,771
SOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY$168,509
CHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC$156,817
PUBLIC SQUARE LLC$150,000
33RD DIVISION A MINORITY VETERANS UNIT LLC$150,000
GALAXY LABS LLC$150,000
SEA CRAFT LLC$150,000
HT23 CUSTOM CRAFTERS LLC$150,000
CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE$142,946
GREATER SOUTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION$121,237
BAKED BUDS COMPANY LLC$100,000
IMPERIAL PRODUCTS LLC$100,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY22–24, $187k) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 27% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%QUAD COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE: $137k → 8%HARMONY COMMUNITY CARES: $25k → 14%TOUCH GIFT FOUNDATION: $25k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

20%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$10M · 146 repeat orgs$40M to everyone else

146 repeat relationships: 10 still active in FY2025, 136 since wound down; 39 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

146
1815

Total granted

$10M
$37M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

0%
+5%

Still filing today

10%
1%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 37% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $3.5M went to new ones.

50%100%’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’21’22’23’24’25
Community ImprovementHuman ServicesEmploymentEducationRecreation & SportsCivil RightsOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • MA
    MEXICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERC
    4× · 2022–2025 · $1.1M · revenue +59%
  • IR
    ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
    3× · 2023–2025 · $893k · revenue +0%
  • SD
    SOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NFP
    4× · 2022–2025 · $673k · revenue +23%

Funded once

  • HM
    HELEN MILLER - SEIU MEMBER EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTER
    one grant, 2022 · $158k · revenue +5%
  • QC
    QUAD COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE INCgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $137k · revenue +84%
  • ST
    SEIZE THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $106k · revenue +127%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Cook County Chamber
Philanthropy
2
West Ridge Chamber of Commerce

Promote economic development in the west ridge area community of chicago

—
3
Champaign County Community Development Corporation

Economic development within champaign county, il and surrounding communities

—
4
Emerald South Economic Development Colloborative

To ensure that access and opportunities are shared to benefit residents and business owners of chicagos southside. we aim to foster growth of local businesses and leaders, attract new investment, develop our local labor workforce and…

—
5
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center

The center promotes and grows chicagos entrepreneurial community.

Community Improvement
6
Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is a member organization proud to serve businesses in Oak Park, River Forest , Forest Park and the surrounding areas. We Provide leadership, information, events, workshops and opportunities for networking and relationship…

—
7
East Edgewater Chamber of Commerce

The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce's mission is to create and support a thriving business environment, contributing to a vibrant Edgewater community. We present marketing, networking, education, and one-on-one assistance to businesses.

—
8
Local Economic and Employment Development Council Inc

North Branch Works is a membership-supported nonprofit neighborhood organization that for more than three decades has promoted balanced, job-creating economic development along the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Employment
9
Uptown United

Support of area businesses and the neighborhood.

Unclassified
10
Melrose Park Chamber of Commerce and Community Development Nfp

The melrose park chamber of commerce and community development mission as a non-profit is to provide economic opprtunities.

Community Improvement
11
Logan Square Chamber of Commerce

Over 150 business members in Logan Square Area served through technical assistance, events, marketing and advocacy opportunities and services through the Chamber of Commerce.

Community Improvement
12
The Veterans Exchange

Employment support and exchange for veterans

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Southland Development Authority Nfp; the most unlike its peers is American Legion Post 365. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

29 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 29 of the 2,000 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
9
Early backer (in before they grew)
27/29
Grantees still filing
14/29
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

MEXICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERC: $1,115,876 · OtherMEXICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION: $893,131 · OtherILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATIONSOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NFP: $673,289 · OtherSOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NFP+177 more: $7,858,030 · Other+177 moreBERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $1,016,396 · Community ImprovementBERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORP…ALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS INC: $996,355 · Community ImprovementALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BU…CHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL: $418,347 · Community ImprovementCHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLI…CHICAGO NEW BUSINESS NFP: $152,653 · Community ImprovementGREATER SOUTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORP: $147,998 · Community ImprovementSEIZE THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION: $105,665 · Community Improvement+4 more: $125,000 · Community ImprovementCHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE: $520,850 · EmploymentGreater Englewood Chamber of Commerce: $30,000 · EmploymentNORTH LAWNDALE EMPLOYMENT NETWORK: $25,000 · EmploymentQUAD COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE INC: $136,751 · Human ServicesHARMONY COMMUNITY CARES NFP: $25,000 · Human ServicesTOUCH GIFT FOUNDATION: $25,000 · Human ServicesHELEN MILLER - SEIU MEMBER EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTER: $158,296 · EducationBUSINESS SERVICES COLLECTIVE NFP DBA BUILDERS AVENUE: $65,803 · Civil RightsTHE JOSEPH CENTER: $50,620 · Recreation & SportsDISHROULETTE KITCHEN NFP: $25,000 · Food & Nutrition
Other$10,540,326Community Improvement$2,962,414Employment$575,850Human Services$186,751Education$158,296Civil Rights$65,803Recreation & Sports$50,620Food & Nutrition$25,000

Showing the 200 largest grantees by grant value.

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMEXICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERC: $1,115,876 over 4y, 13% of budgetBERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $1,016,396 over 4y, 19% of budgetALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS INC: $996,355 over 4y, 3.8% of budgetILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION: $893,131 over 3y, 7.6% of budgetSOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NFP: $673,289 over 4y, 7.2% of budgetCHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE: $520,850 over 3y, 1.4% of budgetCHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL: $418,347 over 4y, 7.1% of budgetHELEN MILLER - SEIU MEMBER EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTER: $158,296 over 1y, 2.2% of budgetDEVCORP NORTH DBA ROGERS PARK BUSINESS ALLIANCE: $157,719 over 3y, 2.9% of budgetCHICAGO NEW BUSINESS NFP: $152,653 over 3y, 34% of budgetGREATER SOUTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORP: $147,998 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetQUAD COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE INC: $136,751 over 1y, 6.4% of budgetSEIZE THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION: $105,665 over 1y, 5.9% of budgetTHE JOSEPH CENTER: $50,620 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetNEW COVENANT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $40,000 over 1y, 3.2% of budgetSouth Shore Chamber Community Development Corp: $30,000 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetGreater Englewood Chamber of Commerce: $30,000 over 2y, 11% of budgetSOUTHWEST COLLECTIVE: $30,000 over 2y, 4.8% of budgetHARMONY COMMUNITY CARES NFP: $25,000 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetCHICAGO'S SUNSHINE ENTERPRISES INC: $25,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetNORTH LAWNDALE EMPLOYMENT NETWORK: $25,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetDISHROULETTE KITCHEN NFP: $25,000 over 1y, 3.8% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds MEXICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERC ↗
  • Who funds BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ↗
  • Who funds ALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS INC ↗
  • Who funds ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION ↗
  • Who funds SOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NFP ↗
  • Who funds CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE ↗
  • Who funds CHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ↗
  • Who funds HELEN MILLER - SEIU MEMBER EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTER ↗
  • Who funds DEVCORP NORTH DBA ROGERS PARK BUSINESS ALLIANCE ↗
  • Who funds CHICAGO NEW BUSINESS NFP ↗
  • Who funds GREATER SOUTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORP ↗
  • Who funds QUAD COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE INC ↗
  • Who funds SEIZE THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a loosely connected circle, clustered around a few shared anchors.

Small Business Advoca…Illinois Action for C…Choose Chicago Founda…Chicago Food Policy A…Chicago Urban LeagueCenter for Neighborho…Somercor 504 IncLatinos ProgresandoPublic Health Institu…Marquette Bank Afford…Fifth Third Chicagola…Allies for Community …
Small Business Advocacy CouncilIL16.2× affinity6 shared granteesties to 6 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Small Business Advocacy Council · Illinois Action for Children · Choose Chicago Foundation · Chicago Food Policy Action Council · Chicago Urban League · Center for Neighborhood Technology · Somercor 504 Inc · Latinos Progresando · Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago · Marquette Bank Affordable Housing Foundation · Fifth Third Chicagoland Foundation · Allies for Community Business Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Women's Business Development Center funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Women's Business Development Center. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    14report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 2000 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Women's Business Development Center’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home