Washington grants for Small businesses

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This program provides funding to electric utilities and energy sector stakeholders in Washington to enhance the resilience and reliability of the electric grid against natural hazards like wildfires and extreme weather.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations and governments in Washington State for replacing or upgrading medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles with all-electric or hybrid models, focusing on improving air quality and community health in areas most affected by diesel pollution.

This program provides financial assistance to downtown Chehalis business and property owners for exterior improvements that enhance the historical character and visual appeal of their buildings.

This program provides funding to organizations in Washington State to replace or repower diesel-powered medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with all-electric alternatives, focusing on improving air quality in overburdened communities.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits in Burien, Washington, to repair storefront glass damaged by vandalism or property crime, helping them recover from economic disruptions caused by such incidents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for businesses, nonprofits, and local governments in Washington to install Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in areas where vehicles are parked for short durations, to improve air quality and promote clean transportation.

This program provides funding to individuals and groups in Seattle for innovative arts and culture projects that engage underserved communities and promote public access to the arts.

This program provides funding to community development financial institutions and nonprofit organizations to improve credit access for underserved communities and small businesses in Washington State.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and small businesses in Vancouver, Washington, to create affordable housing, prevent homelessness, and promote economic stability for low- and moderate-income residents.

This funding opportunity supports small and mid-sized farms, food businesses, and nonprofit organizations in Washington to improve local food supply chains and market access through significant infrastructure projects.

This grant provides funding for capital building projects to nonprofit organizations in specific regions, focusing on higher education, human services, arts and culture, and healthcare initiatives.

The Washington State Department of Commerce's Blended Capital Enhancement Grants are part of the Community Reinvestment Project (CRP), a new initiative aimed at reducing wealth disparities within Black, Latine, and tribal communities through asset building. The program seeks to support by-and-for lending agencies, businesses, and organizations that serve these specific communities. The overarching mission is to make it easier for these communities to access financial support from local organizations and businesses, fostering economic empowerment and equity. The grant program targets Black, Latine, and tribal communities across Washington state, as well as the lending agencies, businesses, and organizations that are either led by and for these communities, or are partnered with such entities. The impact goals are centered on facilitating homeownership, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, providing money management and business training, assisting with the acquisition of commercial property and business assets, and helping individuals reduce debt and increase savings through matching funds. These goals directly address key areas of wealth accumulation and financial stability. The program prioritizes funding for a variety of initiatives including new construction loans ($5 million), home expansion loans (including Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs) ($6 million), business startups and expansions ($5 million), and consumer loans (such as credit consolidation, car refinancing, or emergency expenses) ($1 million). The total funding available is $42 million. The focus is on creating accessible financial pathways and resources that have historically been less available to the targeted communities. Expected outcomes include an increase in homeownership rates within Black, Latine, and tribal communities, the growth and sustainability of small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures, improved financial literacy and money management skills among individuals, and a reduction in personal debt coupled with increased savings. These measurable results align with the broader strategic priorities of the Washington State Department of Commerce to foster economic development and reduce disparities. The theory of change suggests that by empowering local, by-and-for organizations with capital, they can more effectively deliver essential financial services and support, thereby directly addressing systemic inequalities and building lasting wealth within these communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to tourism and hospitality businesses in Port Angeles to enhance their marketing efforts and attract visitors from outside the area.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is offering a grant of $100,000 to $500,000 for projects that support diverse youth mental health providers, particularly those connected to LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, with the aim of increasing access to mental health resources, improving retention, and supporting diverse providers in King County, Washington.

Export Vouchers, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), reimburses eligible export expenses up to $10,000, depending on the expense. The following lists the eligible activities and reimbursement levels. If your business qualifies, you may receive up to the maximum allowed for that activity, or a lesser amount. Awards are granted based on committee review of your export voucher application.Qualifying Export Expenses Design of international marketing, digital advertising Website design, maintenance and international payment handling Online market listing fees E-commerce platform fees Expenses to set up a website to accept international payments Services of the U.S. Commercial Service International shipment of product samples Compliance requirements to enter an export market Export research tool subscription Cost associated with international IP protection (limited to the following–USPTO PCT transmittal fee, filing fee, search fee; Hague Intl Design App transmittal fee, Trademark Madrid Protocol fee) International business travel (airfare only) International trade show or trade mission fees (virtual or in-person) Foreign market sales trips Translation of marketing media, including audio/video EXIM Credit Insurance fees

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that assist small businesses, particularly those with five or fewer employees, focusing on underserved communities across Washington.

The Washington Emergency Management Division Human Services Program works with Federal, State, and Local partners to support disaster preparedness and recovery for Washington’s individuals, households, and businesses. Programs include: The Individual Assistance Program (IA): IA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program to support individual and business recovery and is authorized through a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. The IA program has multiple components including cash assistance and crisis counseling, a detailed declaration process and benefits that vary depending on several factors. For more information, please click here. The Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program: SBA disaster loans are available even without a Presidential Disaster Declaration and are a great tool to provide low-interest loans to individuals, families, businesses and organizations that suffer physical or economic loss due to a disaster or other disruption. For more information, please click here. Limited English Proficiency Program: The LEP program supports language accessibility for individuals, families and businesses by working with state and local governments and community organizations to promote preparedness activities in communities around the state. For more information, please click here. Disaster Resilience, Recovery and Restoration: Disaster Recovery includes both pre-disaster recovery planning and post-disaster recovery to re-envision and restore a community. Technical assistance and information is available for local governments, special districts, and organizations. Please click here for more information.

The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) is offering grant funding through its Community Reinvestment Project (CRP) to support community healer services. This initiative aims to address violence and its systemic roots, particularly in Black, Latine, and tribal communities, which have been historically impacted by the "war on drugs" and systemic injustices. The program aligns with a mission to foster holistic, trauma-informed, person and community-centered, and culturally responsive services. It emphasizes flexibility and low-barrier innovation to serve those in need of restoration, accountability, and healing, thereby supporting personal and intergenerational healing, burnout prevention, and repairing harm caused by systemic racism, anti-Blackness, and colonialism. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individuals and communities affected by violence, with a specific focus on Black, Latine, and tribal communities, including urban Indians. The impact goals are centered on violence intervention and prevention, promoting healing, and addressing the long-term consequences of historical injustices. By supporting community healer services, the program seeks to create safer, more resilient communities where individuals can experience restoration and healing from trauma. The program's priorities and focuses include addressing violence that has disproportionately affected Black, Latine, and tribal communities due to the design and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws for drug possession. It prioritizes organizations led by and for these communities, including federally recognized tribal governments, tribal-led 501(c)3s, tribal-led community-based organizations, small businesses, non-profits, faith-based organizations, and grassroots community-led organizations. Geographic priority counties are Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Yakima in Washington State. Expected outcomes include providing culturally responsive services to people of all ages, identities, and abilities, fostering personal and intergenerational healing, and preventing burnout among community healers. Measurable results would likely focus on the reach and effectiveness of the violence intervention and prevention programs, the number of individuals served, and indicators of community restoration and healing. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on accountability and healing suggests an outcomes-based approach. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in the belief that addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of systemic racism, anti-Blackness, and colonialism through community-led healing initiatives is crucial for violence prevention and community reinvestment. By empowering by-and-for organizations within impacted communities, the program aims to facilitate sustainable change and create environments conducive to healing and well-being. The tiered funding structure, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, reflects a commitment to supporting organizations of varying sizes, from small-sized with annual budgets under $150,000 to large-sized with budgets over $1 million, ensuring broad access to funding for eligible entities. The project period is set to begin around August 15, 2024, and conclude on June 30, 2025, allowing for a concentrated effort within a one-year grant duration. Eligibility criteria underscore the commitment to community-led initiatives, requiring organizations to be a federally recognized tribal government, tribal-led 501(c)3, tribal-led community-based organization, or licensed to do business in Washington (with an exception for tribes). Additionally, eligible organizations must be registered with the Community Reinvestment Project as a by-and-for organization, ensuring that the healing services are deeply connected to and guided by the communities they serve.

The Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau receives funding from room tax revenues generated in unincorporated Clallam County, aimed at promoting and enhancing lodging nights in the region. The grant is designed to support tourism-related projects and events in Clallam County that attract overnight visitors. Grants are awarded with a focus on tourism promotion and marketing, as well as supporting appropriate special events. The available grant funds total $125,000 for 2024, typically not exceeding $7,500 per project/event, with a cap of $15,000 per annum per applicant organization. Grant renewed every year.