Zonta Club of Hilo gave out $6,000 in 2022 Pay It Forward microgrants to four female entrepreneurs (second from left to second from right): Dr. Sara Vogel, Suzanne Wang, Ellen Okuma, and Lori Ferrin. President Julie Engelhardt (left) and Pay It Forward Chair Laurie Higashi (right) presented the checks. (Photo courtesy: The Zonta Club of Hilo)
The Zonta Club of Hilo is accepting microgrant applications to provide funding for women-owned small businesses on Hawai‘i Island.
The Pay It Forward program helps women in the community start up or expand a business through a microgrant of $2,000 that is intended to provide a helping hand.
Awardees are encouraged to “Pay It Forward” when they are financially able.
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“Helping women to succeed and improve our communities advances the mission of Zonta,” said Zonta Club of Hilo President Julie Tulang. “Pay It Forward is one of the many programs our club offers to empower women and girls through service and advocacy.”
The Pay It Forward program of the local chapter of Zonta was launched in 2014 with an initial generous donation from Nancy Cabral, a Zonta member and owner of Day-Lum Rentals & Management.
Cabral’s desire was to encourage other women to achieve financial independence and business success. Since its inception, many other generous donors have contributed to these microgrants for women entrepreneurs.
The Zonta Club of Hilo was founded in 1950 and is a member of Zonta International, whose mission is to build a better world for women and girls. For more information, visit zontahilo.org or email [email protected].
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