Women, minority, LGBTQ, Latino, and other minority businesses in Washington can get loans or free grant funds for their business. Find a list of lenders and programs near you below. There are banks, non-profit organizations, government programs, and corporations that can provide financial aid. The loans, grants, and even free mentoring services are for women or minority businesses as well as start ups.
The amount of money will usually vary. However in addition to the funds for their business, most of the businesses will also get access to a wide variety of services, such as advertising help, mentoring, consulting, and more. The goal of the free grant and/or loan programs is to help disadvantaged businesses they need both be successful and to grow their company over time.
Any business or company that meets the criteria can apply for funds from the programs below, including MWBE companies. However each of these lenders, banks, or government funded programs will allocate a certain amount of the money for minority or a women business.
Small business loans and free grants for women or minorities in Washington
An updated, ongoing list of loan and grant programs is below. It will be updated daily. Black owned businesses, women owned companies in Washington, veterans, and other disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply for assistance.
Ongoing, year round financial assistance, loans, and free grants
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/
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/
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/
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/
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/
April, May and June 2022
Non-profits in Spokane Washington can apply for free $4,000 grants. Several non-profits, including those of minority, LGTBQ+, and women created, will be given the funds. The Downtown Spokane Partnership is distributing the money, with the funds targeted towards non-profits that will hold festivals, revitalize the downtown area, and contributing to social causes. Learn more here. https://downtownspokane.org/
Clark County and Vancouver businesses can apply for free grants from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Grants Program, which is financial help for businesses impacted by COVID. There is also financial help for non-profits and businesses with a social cause. Priority is for hard-hit businesses as well as disadvantaged companies, such as women, Asian or LGTBQ owned, and other minorities. The financial assistance program is first-come serviced and will end in early June. Learn more here. https://clarkcountywa.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/66438
Umpqua Bank of Washington is providing interest free loans to underserved small businesses owners. Black, Latina and other women-owned businesses, as well as other BIPOC or veteran owned companies, can apply for financial assistance. Umpqua Bank will match the money as well. Small business owners, BIPOC or veteran entrepreneurs in Washington, people with a disability and others can apply for the free loans with matching grants. Continue reading. https://www.kiva.org/cc/umpquabank
March and April 2022
Seattle is providing up to $8 million dollars (in aggregate) to businesses across the city and King County. The funds are being provided by the government as part of the statewide Flex Fund. The loans will be very low interest rate (with the possibility of interest free 0% loans) and come wither other support. A major focus is on underserved women, minority, and veteran owned businesses in the region. The money can cover rent, payroll, inventory and other bills. The Chamber of Commerce is a resources. https://www.seattlechamber.com/
January and February 2022
Thurston County small businesses can apply for financial help from non-profits, government agencies, and charities that are part of Thurston Strong. One million dollars is being given to businesses that focus on food or that are farmers. As much as $5 million in grants is being given to minority, women, veteran, and LGTBQ businesses in the county. All the funds are to help businesses that have had a reduction in revenue from the COVID pandemic. Find details on the non-profit here. https://www.thurstonstrong.org/
King County Small Business Mitigation Grants is for businesses that have been impacted by COVID. All applicants need to be in the county/city of Seattle. The free grants are the result of money from the federal government COIVD relief program(s), and there is a focus on underserved and disadvantaged MWBE businesses. Apply here. https://kingcounty.gov/depts/emergency-management/special-topics/Small-business-mitigation-grants.aspx
October and November 2021
Small and micro-owned businesses in Seattle, including MWBE companies, can apply for free government grants. Millions of dollars will be provided as part of the Small Business Stabilization Fund (SBSF). Qualified applicants will be given anywhere between $5,000 to $20,000 to help them recover from any type of COVID impact. A major focus – priority is to give financial aid to veterans, LGTBQ, women as well as minority-owned companies, and all applicants for a government grant need to be based in the city of Seattle and have under 50 employees. Apply here. http://www.seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development/small-business/small-business-programs/stabilization-fund
September 2021
Ezell’s Famous Chicken is providing up to 20 grants to Black-owned businesses as part of the Rudd’s Raising Up Black Businesses (R.U.B.B.) Initiative. Each recipient will be given up to $2500. The financial aid program is being run in partnership with Door Dash, so while any Black owned business can apply, a focus is on restaurants, bars, pubs, food trucks, and similar companies. Read more here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6WMQj9KGKsTs6yexZZ5Tps7FPRiqL-3xCh_TphO-IBtnJWQ/viewform
Edmonds Rescue Plan Fund (ERPF) is providing grants to small businesses (less than 30 employees). Each qualified business, including minority and women owned companies, will be able to get up to $10,000. The financial assistance program will run through 2022 (as funding allows). A major focus is on service and “creative businesses”, as well as veteran, women, and businesses owned by people of color. Read more. https://www.edmondswa.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageid=17928528&portalid=16495016
June and July 2021
Small Business Flex Fund will give loans of up to $150,000 to for profit as well as not-for-profit businesses. The loans and funds are given to businesses with less than $3 million in sales and under 50 employees. Various CDFIs (community lenders) issue these loans with priority to veteran, women, LGBTQ, and minority owned businesses. Both rural and urban businesses can apply as well. More here. SmallBusinessFlexFund.org
Female owned companies or start-ups in Washington, that are involved in medical business around Heart Health, can apply for a free grant that will be allocated after a pitch content. The American Heart Association’s EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator is passing out the funds. The winner will also get publicity (free advertising), help from MBAs, and other support. Learn more on this free grant program here. https://www.empoweredtoserve.org/en/capital-access-grant-funding/business-accelerator-program/oregon-and-southwest-washington
April 2021
Working Washington small business grants are available across the state, and any small business that meets qualifications can apply. They are also for LGBTQ companies, minorities, women, and veterans. The Department of Commerce is overseeing this free government grant program. At most, as funding allows, up to $25,000 can be provided to qualified businesses. A wide range of operating costs can be paid, but the focus is on businesses that have struggled and had declining sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more https://commercegrants.com/
February 2021
Small businesses in Washington, that have been impacted by the COIVD pandemic, can apply for free grants or refundable loans from PPP Round 2. Hundreds of local and national lenders take applications and disburse funds, ranging from CDFIs to national banks, credit unions, and community lenders. The PPP program is for businesses that have lost revenue due to COVID, which mostly includes service type companies. Read more here. https://omwbe.wa.gov/about/news/round-2-federal-ppp-loans-small-lenders
September and October 2020
Black owned businesses in the city of Seattle can get investments, grants, and other support from Tabor 100. They are an investment fund that is using funds from Amazon and other donors to help minority owned businesses. There can be equity investments, grants, help with marketing or sales, and other assistance provided. Continue with Tabor 100 https://www.tabor100.org/
The City of Everett Washington is offering funds to small businesses with anywhere from 1 to 49 employees. Over half of the funds will be allocated to LGBTQ, veterans, women, and minority businesses. Up to $10,000 in free city grants will be issued to qualifying businesses. The grant program is for “non-chains”, businesses that are inclusive/diverse, and licensed companies. Apply here. https://everettwa.gov/everettcares
August 2020
GSBA, Comcast launch small-business relief fund for owners who are LGBTQ+, women and people of color. Starting with $50,000 in seed funding from Comcast Washington, the GSBA will initially give free grants to 20 qualifying businesses. https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/08/03/gsba-comcast-launch-small-business-fund.html
By Jon McNamara
