Founded by a female entrepreneur, Stacy’s Pita Chips is supporting strong, hard-working female entrepreneurs through two programs.

Stacy’s is launching its inaugural Stacy’s Rise Program, which will award women $200,000 to help nourish their food-business ambitions.

Also, in honor of Women’s History Month, Stacy’s aims to raise $200,000 to help United Way reduce the funding gap for female-founded businesses.

The new Stacy’s Rise Program will work with Alice, a leading online resource for women and other underrepresented entrepreneurs, to provide every applicant with education, support, mentorship, and guidance to grow their food companies.

A team of leading business founders will select five female entrepreneur finalists who will be awarded a $20,000 funding prize, entrepreneurial advice and network building support. One of these women will win an additional $100,000 grand prize award to help take their business to the next level.

Applications for the Stacy’s Rise Program will open on April 12. See the website for more information.

“Starting with a food cart in Boston, it took a lot of hard work and perseverance to grow Stacy’s Pita Chips into what is today,” said Stacy Madison, founder of Stacy’s Pita Chips.

For the third consecutive year, Stacy’s will raise awareness for female empowerment and equality during Women’s History Month through original, limited-edition artwork on Stacy’s Pita Chip bags. This third collection—designed by female artists—depicts the six key stages of a female entrepreneur’s journey: inspiration, courage, grit, nourishment, success and community.

Stacy’s is calling on consumers to match the brand’s $100,000 commitment to United Way’s “Women United” program, which funds micro-grants for women entrepreneurs. Consumers can support this critical work by visiting www.stacyssnacks.com and donating $10 to receive one of the six limited-edition bags and a commemorative 8x10-inch print of that bag’s featured artwork.

Through Women United, a global force of more than 75,000 female leaders improve their communities.

“We are proud to work with Stacy’s Pita Chips to support current and future female business owners with funding to sustain their growth and to empower them join the fight for the health, education and economic stability of their communities,” Lisa Bowman, chief marketing officer of United Way Worldwide.

Source: Frito-Lay North America