The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) is dedicated to strengthening nonprofit business technical assistance providers as they engage with economic development and other partners to assist the smallest businesses grow sustainably, equitably, and financially throughout Washington state.
Donor Name: Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA)
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/07/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This grant opportunity is intended to support nonprofit ESOs and others that provide businesses with the training, technical assistance, and financing tools they need to grow their businesses in rural and urban communities. To ensure that business services are available to businesses in every county of the state, applicants will need to designate which areas they are predominantly offering their programs.
Eligible applicants for this grant program include nonprofit Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs), Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Small Business Resiliency Partners (SBRN) and other nonprofit organizations providing comprehensive business services to the smallest Washington-based enterprises, including rural entrepreneurs, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), veterans, people with disabilities, returning citizens, LGBTQ+ and other very small businesses.
Funding Information
This round totals $160,000 funding available, which equates to 16 grants of $10,000 each.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must have IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit status documented. If organizations do not currently have a 501(c)(3) filed with the IRS, they must have a relationship with a fiscal partner with a federal 501(c)(3) status to apply for these funds. Note: WSMA will only fund organizations with a fiscal sponsor for two (2) years. After that time, ESOs will be required to have their own federal status as a nonprofit.
- Nonprofit or quasi-governmental applicants with different formal IRS designations will also be considered. For example: Chambers of Commerce, CDFIs, SBRNs, 501(c)(6) organizations, Main Street partners, trade associations, Economic Development Districts, etc. that provide comprehensive business services to Washington-based small businesses are eligible to apply.
- Unfortunately, academic institutions are not eligible for funding at this time.
- Must have at least two years of experience providing comprehensive business training, technical assistance, or financing support services to small businesses, with the organizational ability to serve a minimum threshold of 35 Washington-based unduplicated businesses during the grant period.
- Track record of collaboration with relevant and diverse community stakeholders in planning, implementation, and evaluation of the work.
- Must be a Resource Partner on Evergreen BizLink or have a profile submitted.
For more information, visit WSMA.
