Doing Business

Ready for Business

Invest in Small Business Resiliency

 

Small businesses are the heart and soul of our economy, the backbone of our communities, and they’re working hard to recover from hardships left behind by the COVID-19 pandemic. With small businesses being America’s largest employer, this unprecedented hardship puts millions of employees at risk, directly impacting the livelihood of families and communities across the country.

GSBA and Comcast Washington co-created the Ready for Business Fund in 2020 to support small businesses. This summer, we’re proud to return with our fourth round of funding, issuing $2,500 cash grants and support services to small businesses owned by LGBTQ+ community members; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; and women – in addition to businesses located in rural areas across Washington State.

To date, the Ready for Business Fund has raised over $700,000 to support small business resiliency and has issued grants to over 207 recipients over three years.

If you would like to learn more about donating to help us reach even more small businesses in need, please contact us.

Donation Inquiry

Apply for Small Business Relief

The application period for the 2023 round of the Ready for Business Fund is now closed.

Too often, systemic barriers get in the way of people from marginalized backgrounds making their entrepreneurial dreams come true and establishing sustainable income for themselves, their families, and their communities. This can look like lacking capital investment, the reverberating impact of generational poverty, environmental factors, and more. The COVID-19 pandemic brought so many of these disparities front and center for small businesses owned by LGBTQ+ people; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; and women. The Ready for Business Fund was established to help level the playing field for these communities, giving them a small boost so they can strengthen their business, give back to our local economies, and provide for themselves and their families.

Businesses who are selected for a grant from the Ready for Business Fund receive a $2,500 cash grant and wrap-around support services including GSBA membership, technical support, marketing, and consulting. This grant does not have to be repaid, and it can be used for any purpose to help the business in its resiliency. We know that there is great need within the communities who historically have less impact to resources through entrepreneurship and are impacted by systemic barriers, including those owned by LGBTQ+ and allied people; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; and women, as well as businesses located in rural areas but all small businesses are encouraged to apply.

Impact

$0K

raised for economic relief

0

businesses received direct cash support

0%

of recipients were women, 63% BIPOC, 23% LGBTQ+

Spotlight

Ready for Business

TRANSGENDER & NON-BINARY AFFIRMING

EMPLOYER TOOLKIT

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