Ongoing, year round financial assistance in WA, loans, and free grants

Many of the state of Washington financial assistance programs (free grants, loans, technical help, etc.) operate year round, and find the, by city/region/category below. Or continue to scroll down the page to find women, minority and veteran programs that are available by month.

Statewide resources for MWBE businesses in Washington

Entrepreneur Ready operates across the state.  They offer a number of free services to help businesses start, with a focus on underserved such as veterans, MWBE, LGTBQ and others. Qualified clients can use the crowd funder Kiva, which is part of the programs offered, to get interest free loans as well. Find more information.  https://entrepreneurready.com/

Halcyon provides help to businesses that are “mission driven”, and have a goal of making an impact or address social causes. A major focus is on minority, immigrant and business owned by women or people of color. They have a loan fund, venture arm and other support. Learn more here. https://www.halcyonhouse.org/about/

Latino Community Fund of Washington State has a program known as Latinos in Tech. It is a statewide service that works to help Latinos in the technology industry as well as encourage STEM programs. Small business support, educational grants and other assistance is offered. Learn more here. https://www.latinocommunityfund.org/latinos_in_tech

Washington Small Business Development Center has dozens of volunteers/leaders of the community who help business owners. They provide free advice on business plan development, raising capital, sales and marketing tips, IT support and more. Referrals to grant applications may be available too, and Black, Latino, and Women business leaders are at the center for help. Find details here. https://wsbdc.org/

Seattle, Tacoma, and western WA grants and loan programs

Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County has a business accelerator program, startup assistance and other resources. The goal is to help businesses create a plan, get funding and capital (loans, grants, capital, etc.) as well as other support. There are also financing programs as well, and read more here. https://choosetacomapierce.org/current-small-businesses/startup-assistance/

Spaceworks in Tacoma covers the Seattle, Tacoma, King County and other areas in the state. They are a non-profit that, among other things, offers 0% interest loans for small businesses as part of Kiva. They also have a co-work station, an incubator program, Special Business Development Projects and financial help (in the form of loans of up to $15,000) for small businesses. Funds will also be targeted towards minority (Black, Latino, Asian, etc.) as well as women, LGTBQ, and veteran businesses in Washington. A Business Planning program is also offered. Find details on Spaceworks, including low cost loans, here. https://www.spaceworkstacoma.com/

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber offers interest free loans in partnership with the non-profit Kiva.  Businesses can receive 0% interest rate loans of up to $15,000. The applicant will need to crowdfund and meet other criteria, but the money can help veterans, Black, Latino, LGTBQ and other disadvantaged businesses get the capital they need. There are also Trustees and mentoring programs as part of this. Learn more. https://www.tacomachamber.org/

Tacoma and the Puget Sound region has the Tacoma Business Center.  They are the MBDA focused organization for the area. A major focus is on helping minority as well as women owned companies apply for financial help or low cost loans, either from the federal government, state of Washington, or local banks.  They help businesses access capital as well as increase their revenue. Read more. https://mbda-tacoma.com/

Urban League of Metro Seattle (and King County) has a number of resources for minority owned businesses and those owned by people of color. They have a free directory that list Black-owned businesses, provide referrals to legal aid, financial assistance programs, have marketing resources, free workshops and so much more. Read about the non-profit here. https://urbanleague.org/black-business-directory/

Spokane and eastern Washington minority, veteran, and women financial aid programs

AHANA – – Multi-Ethnic Business Association offers a number of business and entrepreneurship programs. There is information on how to raise capital from loans, grants or Angel Investors. Or BIPOC business owners can training and help in creating and/or launching a business. There is help with marketing, online sales, legal set up of a business and more. Learn more on AHANA here. https://ahana-meba.org/

Spokane non-profit agencies, that are owned/started by females, can apply for grants, scholarships and other support from the Women Helping Women Fund. The grants go to non-profits in the area that focus on equal rights, addressing social or economic challenges that women face and non-profits with a “social” cause. The Women Helping Women Fund is a volunteer, donation led organization that strives to make a difference in the area. Learn more on Women Helping Women here. https://www.whwfspokane.org/

Spokane Latino and Hispanic owned businesses can get help from the HPBA – Hispanic Business Professional Association of Spokane. A number of assistance programs are offered. They help with educational, business development, grant and loan programs and more.  A major focus is on overall economic development. Learn more on the agency and its services here. https://www.hbpaofspokane.org/

Tri-City grant, loans, free coaching and business programs

The Tri-City area (Kennewick, West Richland, Pasco) can turn to a program called WOW Tri-Cities. the non-profit helps disadvantaged, marginalized minority owned businesses. The assistance ranges from networking, workshops on creating businesses plans, information on grants and raising capital, and more. The non-profit focuses on Black and Brown businesses, and find details here. https://www.facebook.com/wowtricities

Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offers a number of small business services and assistance programs, including to loans such as the Small Business Flex Fund program. A priority is on immigrant, Latino and Hispanic owned businesses, but any SMB can seek support. There are also mentoring programs, networking events, training and much more.  Learn more. https://www.tchispanicchamber.com/

OIC of Washington has locations in the Tri-City area, including Yakima, Pasco and other towns. The non-profit has a variety of programs and services for BIPOC owned businesses. There are events, training classes, information on financial help for BIPOC owned and more. Get details here. https://www.yvoic.org/

By Jon McNamara