Apply to the Comcast RISE Small Business Program 

Comcast has launched Comcast RISE, a multi-year commitment to provide marketing, creative, media, and technology services to qualifying small business owned by underrepresented groups. 

The Comcast RISE program will focus on Black business owners. Beginning November 28, 2020, all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) business owners will be eligible to apply for Comcast RISE. For more information, click here. 

Mayor Jenny Durkan announced today that the Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) temporary street use permits are extended through October 31, 2021. These free permits allow small businesses to expand their operations outside to help ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while remaining in compliance with local and statewide public health guidance and requirements. This extension impacts free sidewalk café and curb space permits as well as free street closure permits.

In addition, the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) will immediately begin issuing free tent permits and heating permits to help businesses maintain operations during the colder, rainier months ahead. For more information on the permits, click here. 

Are you a story-teller? Do you enjoy using qualitative and quantitative data to tell stories? Do you enjoy creating multi-media content and writing? Are you good at working across teams and with stakeholders?

OED is seeking a Communications Professional who will play an important role in advancing OED’s mission by creating and driving the department's communication strategies, media and public relations, and community engagement work. This role will work with the communications team to support the various OED teams in their internal and external communication and engagement needs. 

Applications closes Tuesday, November 10, 4:00PM.

For more information and to apply, click here. 

The primary purpose of the Washington State Small Business Resiliency Grant Program is to support businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For businesses operating in Washington with a current business license, the Washington State Department of Commerce has developed a Community Small Business Resiliency Grant Program using $5 Million of Federal CARES Act Relief Funds. Grant funds can be used to cover working capital shortfalls due to COVID-19 hardship.

Commerce’s intent is to award each eligible applicant the maximum award available up to $10,000, based on the number of applications. However, if the award per applicant would be less than $4,000, the applications will be reviewed and scored. Points will be given for answers from questions 7 and 9, the longevity of the business, and then overall an equitable geographical distribution of applicants.* Business owners with more than one business may apply; however, each business application will require a separate ZoomGrants account (using a different email) and unique UBI number. 

All applicants awarded this grant program will be required to sign a grant agreement and provide bank information upon notice of award. 

Applications will be accepted between October 6, through October 30, 11:59PM.

For more information and to apply, click here. 

Seattle COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund for Immigrants

Applications are open for the Seattle COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund for Immigrants. The City of Seattle is supporting vulnerable residents who have been both financially impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and purposely excluded by the federal government.

• The application will only be available as an online form, and 20 organizations are available to help applicants over the phone and in-language.
• The online application will be available in seven languages other than English: Amharic, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Somali, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, and Vietnamese.
• The relief fund is open to immigrants who:
• Live in OR attend school in OR work within the Seattle city boundaries, AND
• Meet income eligibility requirements, AND
• Were ineligible for federal CARES Act Economic Impact Payments (also known as a “coronavirus stimulus check”).
• The review process is NOT first-come, first-served. To support those with the most need, the program is prioritizing applicants based on a set of vulnerability criteria.
• Each eligible adult applicant filing for themselves is able to receive a one-time payment of $1,000.
• Applicants with children are eligible to receive a one-time payment of up to $3,000.
• The application open period will be from Thursday, October 15, 2020 to November 5, 2020.

For more information, click here.

Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund 

Applications for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund is now open! 

The relief fund will provide $40 million in federal funds allocated by the state to assist Washington workers who miss work due to COVID-19, but are unable to access federal stimulus programs and other social supports due to their immigration status. While the fund is operational, eligible recipients will receive $1,000, with a limit of $3,000 per household. 

Deadline to apply is December 6, 2020, 12:00AM. 

For more information and to apply, click here. 

Take the Fossil Fuel Transition Survey!

Seattle's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory shows that city-wide emissions have stopped decreasing, and in some cases are beginning to increase. The City of Seattle will not be able to make significant progress towards emissions reduction without decarbonizing our energy supply. The City is exploring policies and programs that would transition Seattle away from fossil fuels to zero-emissions energy in our cars, trucks, buses, and buildings.

The City of Seattle is seeking input from you on how such a transition may affect your business or employment and what you may need for this transition.

If you identify as either a fossil fuel-related or clean energy-related business or organization, or an intensive user of either, please complete this 10 to 15 minute survey by Thursday, November 5. Your perspective will provide invaluable input into policymaking processes. All information will be treated as confidential and not shared with any third party.

Survey Link: https://arcg.is/eCGmK0

Seattle Music Commission: Nominations Now Open 

The Seattle Music Commission is a group of industry and community volunteer stakeholders that advises the Seattle Office of Film + Music on policy and advocacy measures that support the growth of the local music industry in Seattle. This group is also dedicated to working with OFM to advance racial equity within the industry through advocacy and policy priorities. We invite you to nominate yourself or others to be considered for membership to the Seattle Music Commission. Nominations will be accepted through November 12. 

Learn more and submit nominations here. 

Virtual Nonprofit Webinar

Communities Rise works with organizations, microenterprises and communities located in Washington state that have been impacted by systemic oppression to increase capacity and build power. Communities Rises offer educational webinars to small businesses.

Tools for Running an Effective Nonprofit (English and Spanish)

Tuesdays from October 20 - November 3, 2020
Time: 10:00 - 11:30AM 
Cost: Varies 

Washington Nonprofits is offering this training in both English and Spanish. Tools for Running an Effective Nonprofit, will cover the basics of running a nonprofit and draw on tested tips and tools on boards, finance, law, and planning. 

Pasos al Éxito para su Non-Profit 

Los Martes, 20 i 27 de octubre i 3 de noviembre del 2020 
12:00PM - 1:30PM 

Su organización existe para hacer la diferencia. Un grupo de personas sereunió, quizás incluyéndolo a usted, y fundó una corporación sin fines de lucro para abordar un importante. Esa corporación es como un auto. Tiene una forma y tamaño, necesita ser registrado, y las personas en el automóvil son importantes. Necesitas combustible para impulsarlo hacia adelante. 

Nonprofit Fiscal Sponsorship 

Thursday, November 12, 2020
12:00 - 2:00PM 
Cost: $10

This webinar will explain what a fiscal sponsorship relationship is and what a fiscal sponsroship agreement should include. It will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a fiscal sponsorship structure. 

24th Annual Washington State Biz Fair 

Join hundreds of experts and thousands of small business owners and managers from home – or anywhere.

MEET with mentors, advisors, trainers, educators, fellow small business owners, and entrepreneurs.

LEARN from savvy business experts who will share their knowledge and real-life experiences.

CONNECT with federal, state and local government agencies to find out about starting a business or contract opportunities.

FIND OUT how non-profit organizations can help you with funding, legal support, and more.

NETWORK with Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Authorities and statewide Business Associations.

CHECK OUT the Digital Marketplace for products and services to help you do business.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 10, 7:00AM - 5:00PM.

NO COST TO ATTEND! 

For more information go to https://www.bizfair.org/ Questions? Email info@bizfair.org.