Women In Business Leadership Award

Scholarship Amount

The program operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels. Zonta International offers 10 international awards of US$10,000 each and a complimentary one-year supporting membership in Zonta International for the next financial year.

Toronto Club: CAD $500

International Level: USD $10,000

How May I Use the Award Funds?

1. There are no restrictions on the use of funds.
2. Please note: If the applicant is studying at a secondary school, university or college, Zonta International is offering a “scholarship” type of payment to be used for tuition and/or living expenses. Please see below under Tax Considerations.
3. Recipients are not permitted to defer the Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award.
4. Recipients may accept additional grants and awards from other sources.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility:

Women, aged 18-35 at the time of application, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.

• Exceptional leadership in a business-related field of study or industry.
• Entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ethical conduct.
• Significant contributions to addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice.

Note that applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-Club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards. Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women are not eligible to apply for the Awards. Committee or jury members or any member involved in the selection process should follow the Zonta International Conflict of Interest Policy in the selection of awardees.

Z club and Golden Z club members are eligible to apply. Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply. Applicants for the 2026 Zonta Women in STEM Award may not also apply for the 2025 Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award.

How to Apply:

Toronto Club Application Deadline: September 15th, 2025

You can find more details here:

1. Women in Business Leadership Poster
2. Women in Business Leadership Description

Application: Please send in all the following required documents

1. Women in Business Leadership Application
2. Women in Business Leadership Recommendation Letter Cover Sheet
3. Women in Business Leadership Privacy Policy and Publicity Authorization Form
4. Women in Business Leadership Award Verification of Current Enrollment Form

Please email the completed documents to scholarshipsandawards@zontatoronto.org

Tax considerations

The following considerations will help define which type of payment will fit the applicant’s purposes best.

• "Award": with no restrictions for use. As an award, it is taxable income under U.S. tax regulations. To comply with the law, all awardees will receive tax forms. Also, according to U.S. tax regulations, 30% of the award must be withheld from awards made to non-U.S. residents. If Zonta International is notified that there is a U.S. tax treaty with the resident's country, the withholding will be appropriately adjusted.
• "Scholarship": to be used for tuition, fees and materials (books, supplies and equipment) required for courses at a secondary school, college or university only. As a scholarship to be used for tuition, fees and materials, the income is tax free.
• "Scholarship": to be used for living expenses while attending a secondary school, college or university. Although tuition and related expenses are tax free, income used for living expenses is considered taxable income. Tax forms will be provided to all awardees, as required. Withholdings range from $ 0 (tax treaty), 14% (appropriate student VISA) to 30% for non-U.S. residents.
• Supplemental awards and scholarships that are paid directly paid by a club or district will follow the tax regulations of their taxing authority.