Grants for Women: 658 Applicants, 14 Countries, and a Call to Fund Six Women-Led Missions
The She Believed She Could™ Foundation seeks community sponsors to expand its inaugural ICONIC IMPACT Grants for women entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders, with SBSC Media and Hi Hello Labs providing strategic guidance and media experiences.
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 16, 2026) What began as an initiative to fund two extraordinary women has grown into a $60,000 opportunity to invest in six. The She Believed She Could™ Foundation is calling on Central Florida businesses, philanthropists, and community leaders to help expand its inaugural ICONIC IMPACT Grants, new grants for women building purpose-driven businesses and nonprofits.
The She Believed She Could™ Foundation received 658 applications representing 48 states + territories and 14 countries, including 190 from Florida, for its inaugural ICONIC IMPACT Grants.
Following an extensive review process and interviews with 20 semifinalists, the Foundation is calling on Central Florida businesses, philanthropists, and community leaders to help expand the awards from two recipients to six.
The goal is to secure $15,000 for six $2,500 cash grants. If fully funded, SBSC Media will contribute an additional $45,000 in in-kind strategic consulting and visibility services, including professional media experiences supported by Hi Hello Labs, bringing the total potential award value to $60,000.
ICONIC IMPACT Grants for Women: From Two Recipients to Six
The ICONIC IMPACT Grants recognize women in two categories: Emerging Founder, supporting entrepreneurs building purpose-driven businesses, and Impact Leader, recognizing nonprofit leaders creating meaningful change in their communities.
The original plan was to award one $10,000 prize package in each category, consisting of a $2,500 cash grant and a $7,500 Next Chapter Strategy Intensive.
But after reviewing the applications and meeting the remarkable women behind these missions, the Foundation set its sights on something bigger: recognizing the top three finalists in both categories.
"These women are solving real problems, creating opportunities, supporting families, and building solutions that have the potential to change lives," said Allison Walsh, founder of She Believed She Could™ and the She Believed She Could™ Foundation. "We started with the goal of supporting two women, but after meeting our semifinalists, we knew we wanted to do more. Now we're asking our community to help us make that possible."
More Than Grants for Women: Strategy, Storytelling, and Visibility
Each of the six proposed recipients would receive a $2,500 cash grant and a $7,500 Next Chapter Strategy Intensive, combining strategic guidance, brand development, and a professional media experience designed to propel her mission forward.
Through the collaboration of Allison Walsh of SBSC Media and Carolina Flores of Hi Hello Labs, recipients will receive support to clarify their messaging, strengthen their strategy, and create compelling media assets to increase visibility and attract new opportunities.
"Every woman who applied has a story worth telling and a mission worth amplifying," said Carolina Flores of Hi Hello Labs. "When we give women the tools and platform to share their stories in a powerful way, we create opportunities for more people to discover their work, connect with their mission, and become part of the impact they're creating."
"This is about more than writing a check," Walsh added. "We want these women to have the resources, strategy, connections, and visibility to accelerate their impact. Every $2,500 grant unlocks an additional $7,500 in strategic support, creating a $10,000 investment in that woman's future."
Help Fund More Women-Led Missions in Central Florida
Kim Casaburi of Serotonin Centers has already stepped forward to sponsor one Emerging Founder grant recipient, helping build momentum toward the Foundation's expanded vision.
The Foundation is now seeking an additional $12,500 to fund five more $2,500 grants, while also inviting businesses to sponsor or underwrite expenses associated with the ICONIC IMPACT Summit on November 5.
Every dollar saved through event sponsorships, donated services, and in-kind contributions will be reinvested directly into the grant program, helping the Foundation provide more funding, resources, and opportunities to women creating meaningful change.
Sponsorship opportunities include funding an individual grant, contributing toward the overall grant goal, underwriting event expenses, or providing in-kind support such as florals, production, hospitality, and other event services.
Participating businesses may receive recognition through media outreach, event programming, social media, on-site visibility, and opportunities to participate in the live grant presentations.
"We have the applicants. We have the vision. We have the platform to celebrate them," Walsh said. "Now we're inviting our community to help us put more resources behind their missions. Whether you sponsor a grant or help offset an event expense, your generosity allows us to direct more funding and support to women who are already doing extraordinary work."
ICONIC IMPACT Grant Recipients Announced November 5 in Winter Park
The inaugural ICONIC IMPACT Grant recipients will be announced live during ICONIC IMPACT: The She Believed She Could™ Summit, taking place November 5, 2026, at the Center for Health & Wellbeing in Winter Park, Florida.
The Summit will bring together entrepreneurs, executives, nonprofit leaders, founders, and changemakers for a transformational experience centered on leadership, connection, personal and professional growth, and intentionally creating their next incredible chapters.
The Foundation hopes to recognize all six recipients on stage, made possible through the collective support of the Central Florida community.
How to Sponsor an ICONIC IMPACT Grant
Businesses, philanthropic organizations, community leaders, and individuals are invited to support the ICONIC IMPACT Grants through direct funding, event sponsorships, or in-kind contributions.
To sponsor a recipient, underwrite an event expense, or contribute to the grant program, visit www.shebelievedfoundation.org, donate here, or contact allison@allisonwalshconsulting.com.
For Summit information, visit www.shebelievedshecould.co/iconic-impact.
Together, we can turn two grant recipients into six, and create $60,000 in opportunities for women who are changing the world.
About the She Believed She Could™ Foundation
The She Believed She Could™ Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping, investing in, and amplifying women through education, mentorship, grant funding, leadership development, and meaningful connections.
About SBSC Media and Hi Hello Labs
SBSC Media, founded by Allison Walsh, is a personal branding, publishing, and visibility company helping purpose-driven women build recognized brands and expand their influence. Hi Hello Labs is a creative media and content production company helping individuals amplify their stories through impactful media experiences. Together, they are providing strategic and creative support for the ICONIC IMPACT Grant recipients.
About ICONIC IMPACT
ICONIC IMPACT: The She Believed She Could™ Summit takes place November 5, 2026, in Winter Park, with a VIP Impact Lab Day in Orlando, Florida. The event brings together women leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers committed to growth, transformation, and meaningful impact.
Media & Sponsorship Contact
Allison Walsh
Founder, She Believed She Could™
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