Funding Foundations

An Exclusive Learning and Funding Opportunity For Rural Women Business Owners

 

Individuals who have earned the Funding Foundations badge have met program participation requirements including group and one-on-one learning opportunities and demonstrated that they understand and can apply the learning outcomes listed below. These individuals have shown that they are knowledgeable about their business and able to present a clear picture of their financial and operational plans to lenders or other stakeholders.

 

Who?

If you live in a rural community in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, you need funds to start or grow your business, AND/OR: 

  • you’re unsure of how to go about getting money for your business, and/or
  • you’re wary of bank loans and/or taking on debt, and/or
  • you have applied for funding previously only to be rejected and/or
  • you’re using personal funds (credit card, savings, etc.) to finance your business, and/or
  • you just want an excuse to accelerate your idea, grow your business, or learn more about the financials of your business in an approachable way, this pilot is for you.

Program Structure

  • 6 weeks of exclusive online course materials developed by the Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center
  • 6 digital group sessions hosted by the Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center to discuss course materials
  • 6 one-on-one coaching sessions with a Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center Business Advisor
  • One-on-one meetings with a funding expert from Dakota Business Lending
  • The opportunity to qualify for a loan of up to $1,000 at the beginning of the program
  • The potential to qualify for a larger loan at the end of the program
  • Connect with other rural women business owners!

Learning Outcomes

  • Goal Setting
  • Ideal Validation and Competitive Analysis
  • Business Model and Value Proposition Canvas Design
  • Business Plan Development
  • Financial Statement Development (Statement of Cash Flows, Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet)
  • 5 Cs of Credit
  • Types of Business Funding and Funding Opportunities in Montana
  • Development of a Funding Packet and How to Seek Funding
  • Guidance on Entrepreneurial Competencies Listed in the Graphic Below

Entrepreneurial-Skills

Program Partners

Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center

University of Montana's Rural Entrepreneurship And Leadership Co-Lab for Women (REAL Women Co-Lab)

Dakota Business Lending

Snowy Mountain Development