$3,000 grants offered to women

The Zions Bank Women's Financial Group has available micro-grants for women. The "Smart Women Grants" are each $3,000, and one is being offered to women who excel in each of six categories: small business start-up and expansion, community development, continuing education and teacher support, child and elder care, health and human services and arts and culture.

Residents from Utah and Idaho may apply online at www.smartwomen.zionsbank.com or by calling 1-800-737-6586. Applications are due July 31. Community peer review panels will select the grant recipients, who will be announced in September.

Priority consideration will be given to proposals that empower women, emphasize collaboration between women entrepreneurs or nonprofit entities supporting women, directly benefit women or low-income and underserved populations, support endeavors that immediately benefit communities in which Zions Bank has a presence, and provide a sound plan for measuring performance and results.

Applicants must be business owners and the primary manager of the company's day-to-day activities or associated with a nonprofit organization that directly benefits women.