Bloomingdale Chamber offers Professional Development Scholarship for Women
The Bloomingdale Area Women in Business, a prominent division of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce, has opened applications for its annual professional development scholarship.
Aimed at empowering adult women in the workforce, the program seeks to fund continued education, specialized certifications, and career-advancing training.
Unlike many traditional academic awards, this scholarship is specifically tailored for the “non-traditional” student — adult women who are often returning to work after a break or balancing careers, families, and community involvement while seeking to elevate their professional standing.
Application deadline is Friday, April 10, 2026. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Affiliation: Must have a residential or commercial connection to the Bloomingdale and/or surrounding communities.
• Age: Applicants must be at least 20 years old. (High school seniors are encouraged to apply for the separate Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program).
• Intent: Funds must be applied toward higher education, professional certifications, or career-specific training programs.
Empowering the local workforce
“As a female-owned business, we’re proud to support the Bloomingdale Area Women in Business Scholarship each year,” said Stephanie Fuller from Embolden Wealth Management one of the donors to the scholarships. “Investing in women who are committed to continuing their education and advancing their careers strengthens not only individual lives, but our entire community. This program creates opportunity, confidence, and long-term impact, and we’re honored to help make that possible every year.”
Selection will be based on a comprehensive review process. A committee of BAWIB members will evaluate candidates based on their personal investment in their field, community and industry involvement, and the clarity of their professional development goals. Finalists may be invited for an in-person interview to discuss their aspirations further.
Community support
The 2026 scholarship program is made possible through the support of several local sponsors, including:
• Embolden Wealth Management
• Neil Moscicki, CFP of Wintrust Wealth Management
• Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce
The Bloomingdale Area Women in Business provides networking and support, focused on mentorship and growth for women across all industries.
Interested applicants can find full details and application forms by visiting BloomingdaleChamber.com or by calling the chamber office directly at (630) 980-9082.