The Women’s Fund chose five recipients from 41 applicants. The public awards ceremony is Nov. 17 at the Griffiss Institute in Rome.
ROME, N.Y. — Five women-owned businesses in Herkimer and Oneida counties will receive $5,000 each through the Women Investing in Women program. The grants will pay for projects ranging from an embroidery machine in Clinton to equipment for a farm that supplies food to Utica-area families.
The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties announced the recipients Nov. 6. It plans to recognize them Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Rome. The fund received 41 applications for the five grants, which total $25,000. Baird Private Wealth Management and the Griffiss Institute support the program.
Who will receive the grants
Mary Warfel Moquin, A Brand New Day
Moquin’s business helps clients with marketing and storytelling. The fund says she plans to put the grant toward technology upgrades for the business. The announcement did not specify the equipment or software she intends to buy.
Rachel Bartunek, Almost Local
Bartunek plans to buy a commercial embroidery machine for her Clinton gift shop. It would allow the shop to make short runs and single custom orders in-house. The shop also helps area businesses develop branded products.
Nancy Grove, Old Path Farm
Grove plans to purchase a compost spreader. Old Path Farm, founded in 2005, sells shares through a community-supported agriculture program. In that model, households sign up to receive a share of the farm’s produce. The fund says the farm serves hundreds of families, including low-income households and refugees in the Utica area.
Kelli Dunlap, Pixel Perfect Psychotherapy
Dunlap, a licensed clinical psychologist whose practice mainly provides individual care and assessment by telehealth, plans to use the money for a group pilot for caregivers. The fund says the program will include work with horses and focus on managing stress and burnout. The announcement did not provide enrollment details.
Madison Conigliaro, SHOOK!
Conigliaro plans to buy a refrigerated display and put part of the award toward marketing and branding. SHOOK! makes prepared foods and wants to expand the range of items customers can buy to take home.
How to attend the Rome ceremony
The ceremony is open to the public. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the program starts at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Griffiss Institute, 592 Hangar Road, Suite 200, in Rome. The fund asks attendees to register by emailing Grants@womensfundhoc.org.
What business owners can learn from this round
The 2026 application deadline was Sept. 30. To qualify this year, a business had to operate in Herkimer or Oneida County, be at least 51% women-owned and have been in business for at least one year. The program allowed applicants to propose spending on equipment, software, consulting, training, education and marketing.
The projects announced this year show several ways owners applied those rules. Some proposed a specific purchase. Others sought funds to launch a program or upgrade the tools they use to serve customers. The program began in 2022, according to the fund. Owners interested in a future round can check the program page for new dates and eligibility details once they are announced.
Sources The Women’s Fund’s recipient announcement and Women Investing in Women program.
