The Jackie Wurm Grant Program
A Member since 2013…
For those of you who were in a BWC Circle with Jackie, you know of her passion for supporting women in business. She not only helped others through her willingness to share her learnings and give them encouragement, but also through her charitable giving both personally and through her business Integriprint.
The Jackie Wurm Grant Program hopes to capitalize on the very thing Jackie loved about The BWC - PEERpower. Our goal is to raise money to grant opportunities for women who could use a small financial boost to take their business to the next level.
Grantees will also receive additional support in implementing their grant as well as a full year membership to a BWC Circle.
Learn More About Jackie
Jackie’s niece, Chelsie Schmid, talks about Jackie and her legacy in this video.
Our 2026 Grantees
Impact In Action
Check out this video to learn more about our 2026 Grantees, donor Debra Arbit, and Circle Team Member Kari Switala.
Along with a $2,500 grant, each will receive strategic implementation support, Circle Team Resources and a 1-year membership to The BWC.
Follow along to hear more impact stories & to learn about the next grant application opening date by following us on socials and subscribing to our monthly impact newsletter.
Kelsey Joson
About The Business
During a summer job supporting students on accessible transportation, Kelsey began to wonder: who was taking care of the disabled adult community after they graduate out of the school system? This inspired her to create InControl, a business to educate on three pillars of health for folks with disabilities: physical, nutrition, and social/emotional.
The Impact
The $2500 grant InControl received fueled Kelsey’s goals to support her business in the following ways
Client Service: Improve health outcomes for Clients through developing and testing the Beta version of a fitness app
Strategic Progress: Accomplish phase one of a core sales goal through the accountability, coaching, and strategic clarity provided during grant implementation support.
Visibility & On-Going Support: Gain increased exposure and partnerships via events (like the Key Leader Luncheon), strategic introductions, and ongoing support from her Circle Team and BWC Peer group.
What advice would you give future grant recipients?
“I understand the instinct to feel overwhelmed when a grant comes with strings attached, especially when you are already spread thin running a business. What I would say is to use that structure to your advantage instead of resisting it. I set my goal for this coaching cycle around something I needed to get done but kept pushing to the back-burner, and having the grant tied to that goal is exactly what got it across the finish line. The accountability, the resources, and the support gave me the space to finally make time for something I never would have prioritized on my own. My advice is to pick the thing you keep avoiding, not the thing that is easiest to report on, because that is where this program actually earns its value.”
Kelsey Joson, InControl
Rachel Ingber
About The Business
Rachel Ingber, founded Heirloom Collaborative after creating a custom cookbook from her husband’s grandmother’s recipes as a 100th birthday gift—an experience that revealed the power of preserving family stories through food.
She now partners with clients to transform their recipes, photos, and memories into beautifully designed heirloom cookbooks, helping families capture and pass down their traditions as lasting expressions of identity and connection.
The Impact
The $2500 grant Heirloom Collaborative received fueled Rachel’s goals to support her business in the following ways
Improved Marketing:
Complete a total website rebrand that reflected new services and high quality products. Enhance SEO and website infrastructure to attract ideal customers, develop new marketing assets/photos, etc.
Launch content/copywriting marketing strategies.
Strategic Growth:
Boost website impressions, lead tracking, organic inquiries, and customer acquisition.
Coaching, and strategic clarity provided during grant implementation support.
Relational Support & Wellbeing:
Ongoing support from the BWC Peer group, networking to form partnerships and find collaborators
Improve health and wellness as a business owner
How has The Circle Community and The BWC network supported you personally? And your business?
“Receiving the grant funds to redesign my website has had a meaningful impact on my business. Since launching the updated site, I've seen a noticeable increase in website visits, and it has become an effective marketing tool allowing me to showcase services I hadn't previously been promoting. The new design also aligns much more authentically with my brand and overall image, giving clients and prospects a truer sense of who I am and what I offer.
Beyond the tangible business impact, being part of the BWC community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this experience. The support I've received from fellow members is unlike anything I've encountered before. They are the first people I turn to when I need advice, a sounding board, or simply encouragement. This community has made me feel truly seen and supported as a business owner, and I am deeply grateful to be a part of it.”
Rachel Ingber, Heirloom Collaborative
Our 2025 Grantees
Dennise Mejia, Owner of
About The Business
Bom dia Treats promotes health, sustainability, and community impact by offering fresh, organic foods and fair-trade Colombian coffee, supporting reforestation efforts, reducing carbon footprints, and fostering wellness through fitness and community events.
The Impact
The grant Dennise received supported her business to:
Increase sales by investing in targeted ads and community promotion.
Enhance food prep efficiency through upgrading essential equipment.
Increase food production efficiency by 50% within the first 3 weeks of receiving the grant
“Winning this grant has been a game-changer for Bom Dia Treats. The funding allowed us to significantly improve our kitchen operations, enhancing our efficiency and ability to serve more customers quickly. With upgraded equipment and optimized workflow, we can now produce a higher volume of sandwiches and expand our menu offerings without compromising quality.
Additionally, the grant supported our marketing efforts, enabling us to invest in targeted ads that have driven more foot traffic to our store. The increased visibility has not only boosted sales but also strengthened our presence in the community.”
Dennise Mejia, Bom Dia Treats
Mercedes Bergman, Owner of
About The Business
Satin Stitches is a Minneapolis-based apparel brand specializing in high-quality, custom-made costumes for dance, cheer, show choirs, and performance groups nationwide. Designed and manufactured in-house with inclusive sizing, their mission is to create unique well-fitting costumes that boost performers’ confidence and leave a lasting impression.
The Impact
The grant Mercedes received supported her business to:
Update her website to enhance user experience and improve production time.
Expand marketing and sales through SEO.
Increase Q2 sales by 43% compared to the previous year.
“Being a business owner can be lonely, but the BWC and TCC have made me feel seen and supported. The mentorship, check-ins, and goal setting keep me focused, and it’s wonderful to have a community of women who ‘get it’ to offer guidance and celebrate my successes.”
Mercedes Berman, Satin Stitches
About the Grant
The Jackie Wurm Grant program provides $2,500-$5,000 micro-grants, along with a 1-year BWC® membership, strategic implementation support, and customized resource matching for women entrepreneurs.
THE ADVANTAGES
Supports small businesses under $300,000 revenue
Assists solopreneurs in scaling
Accessible grant application process
Personalized business development support through the Circle Team investing pro bono products, services, and expert advice
THE BENEFITS
The JW Grant program empowers underserved entrepreneurs by honoring Jackie Wurm’s mentorship legacy, providing targeted business resources, and enabling small business scaling.
WHO IS IT OPEN TO?
Women-owned businesses in the Twin Cities and seven-metro surrounding areas who earn less than $300K in annual revenue.
OUR APPLICATION PROCESS
Our 2026 Grant Cycle is closed.
Please sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on other opportunities and our next grant cycle.
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