News & Past Events

Fall 2024 Grant Opportunity: WSMA 2024-2025 Statewide Grant Program

Applications due 11/22/24!

August 13, 2024: Technical Assistance Tuesday: Employee Ownership Models Video Replay

Learn about this vital economic development strategy!

Join Our Team: Administrative Specialist

Apply by Friday, Sept 27, 2024! Application period now closed

WSMA Now Hiring: Grant Specialist

Applications due Friday, September 27, 2024. Application period now closed

May 21, 2024: Building Capacity: Steps to Becoming an SBA Microlender in WA WEBINAR REPLAY

Microlending is vital to the businesses you serve! 

NOW CLOSED: Operations Manager

Join the WSMA Team!

Spring 2024 Grant Opportunity: Tools and Resources for Assisting Gig Entrepreneurs with their Small Businesses

Spring 2024 Grant Opportunity Announcement

WSMA Announces Grant Awards

WSMA funds $2.0M to 80 nonprofit organizations!

NOW OPEN! Fall 2023 Grant Opportunity: Strengthening Microenterprise Development‍‍

Now Accepting Applications through December 1, 2023

November 17, 2023: Meet Your Business Resources - Tips and Tools for Business Owners In The Spokane Valley

2023 Global Entrepreneurship Month Event! 

WSMA Now Hiring: Operations Manager

NOW CLOSED:Applications accepted through 10/27/23

October 10, 2023: Healthcare Coverage Information for Small Businesses Webinar Replay

NOW CLOSED: WSMA Now Hiring: Grants Specialist

NOW CLOSED: Applications due 10/13/23

September 28, 2023: Get Your Student Loans Forgiven (No, Really!): Income-Driven Repayment Webinar Replay

Student Loan Repayment: What To Know 

August 7, 2023: L&I Contract Opportunity Info Session, Hosted by WSMA

Learn more about an exciting contracting opportunity with L&I!

June 29, 2023: Building Sturdy Construction Companies Webinar Replay

Supporting begining and small-scale construction companies! 

NOW CLOSED: Grant Opportunity ~ Urban Gig Economy

Applications were due Friday, March 24, 2023 at 5pm

April 10, 2023: Keeping Rural On The Radar: Investing In Small Businesses Webinar Replay

Supporting small business on main street and in rural communities - Locally! 

March 21, 2023: Safe Workers! Moving Washington Forward Webinar Replay

Reducing on the job risks!

WSMA Announces Grant Awards!

WSMA funds more than $2.3M to 68 nonprofit organizations

December 01, 2022: Working the Land: Tools and Resources for Farmers Webinar Replay

What supports and resources are in place for Washington state farmers? 

NOW CLOSED ~ PROGRAM GUIDELINES NOW AVAILABLE for 2022-2023 WSMA Grants for Nonprofit Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) and Others Throughout Washington!

PROGRAM GUIDELINES ARE NOW AVAILABLE for the 2022-2023 WSMA Grants for Nonprofit Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) and Others Throughout Washington!

October 19, 2022: Finding the Right Health Coverage That’s Right for Your Business Webinar Replay

What's the Right Health Coverage for Your Microbusiness? 

September 28, 2022: NOSH! Connecting Food Based Enterprises to the Business Resources They Need Webinar Replay

This webinar replay discusses food based enterprises (food trucks, caterers, food processors, etc.) and how to connect them to business services and other resources.

August 3, 2022: Working WA Grants: Round 5 Information Session

The WA State Legislature set aside $70 million for Working Washington Grants: Round 5. 60% will go to the arts, heritage, and science sectors, including live entertainment venues. 40% will go to most other sectors, including hospitality, fitness, and personal services. This session provided an overview of the program and a roubust Q&A Session.

June 28, 2022: Makers! Supporting the Capacity and Safety of Small Scale Manufacturers in Washington State Webinar

Learn about resources, safety regulations, and requirements for makers and small scale manufacturers

April 27, 2022: Linking Financial Wellness and Small Business Development Panel

Learn about financial wellness services and small business development services in Washington State

Evergreen BizLink Launches In May

In Celebration of Small Business Week, the Washington State Microenterprise Association Announces the Launch of Evergreen BizLink

March 30, 2022: Demystifying Independent Contractor vs Employee Roles Webinar Replay

Learn about regulations, requirements and resources from subject matter experts from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 

WA State NPO Conference 2022 WSMA Scholarships

WSMA has scholarships for WSMA Partners!

Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) Announces Grants to Organizations Serving The Smallest Businesses in WA State

WSMA Announces Grant Awards

January 26, 2022: Local Investment Networks and the Housing Crisis - Webinar Replay

Join LINs for a deep dive into the housing crisis

Washington State Labor & Industries: NEW for 2022!

New 2022 Regulations and Requirements: Are you ready?

2021-2022 WSMA Grant Opportunities Now Open (CLOSED)

WSMA Statewide & Urban Grants for Nonprofit Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) and Others Throughout Washington

November 18, 2021: Local Investment Networks (Established and Emerging) in Washington State

Local Investment In Washington State

October 21, 2021: WSMA Presents: Tools and Resources for Serving Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

October 20, 2021: Supplier Diversity Policy Discussion

What is YOUR feedback about the proposed Supplier Diversity Policy?

September 1, 2021: Webinar Replay & Materials: Washington State Tax Structure Work Group Presentation & Discussion

Proposed updates to Washington’s state tax structure: What do microbusinesses think?

August 26, 2021: Webinar Replay & Materials - Free Health Care Coverage for Child Care Workers: Understanding The New State Program

Who is eligible? Who is covered? When does it begin? Your questions answered!

July 21, 2021: The Flex Fund - Is it Right for the Businesses You Serve?

See the webinar replay and program slide decks

June 16, 2021: Clean Materials: Micro Businesses, Macro Opportunity

Building Community, Prosperity and a Healthy Planet from the Ground Up

June 23, 2021: The Power of Cooperatives to Build Community Wealth

The Power of Cooperatives in the growing cooperative movement – and what it might mean for business development in Washington State

Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) Announces Grants to Organizations Serving The Smallest Businesses in WA State

WSMA has awarded $1.6 million relief/program funds to 46 existing and emerging Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) in WA.

June 2021: Entrepreneurial Resources, Clean Materials Economy, and Cooperatives in June

Check out these great networking and learning opportunities for Washington State microbusinesses and others!

May 13, 2021: Restaurant Revitalization Fund WEBINAR REPLAY

What YOU need to know about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund!

May 12, 2021: Deadline for Relief & Recovery Grant Applications

Short Term Grant Funds for Microenterprise Development: Grant Portal is now CLOSED

April 6, 2021: Building Financial Strength In Your Business -WEBINAR REPLAY

Learn About Business Tools, Resources and Financing Opportunities that Strengthen BIPOC Owned Businesses in Washington State. 

March 3, 2021: WSMA Announces 2021 Grant Awards

WSMA Announces 2021 Grant Awards

Michael Shuman’s 2021“Local Investment 101” Workshops FAQs

Interested in learning everything you need to know about local investment? Whether you are a pensioner interested in supporting a local business or a business looking for local capital, this course will be invaluable.

Jan 27, 2021: Rebuilding Better: Local Investment Networks (LINs) and The Post-COVID Economy

This virtual discussion about local investment networks featured author and investment advisor Michael Shuman about how our local LINs can help shape our economy after COVID-19. 

November 30, 2020: Growing Local Investment Networks In Washington State

This November 30, 2020 panel discussion highlighted efforts throughout the state to expand Local Investment Networks, especially in rural communities as part of the Washington State Department of Commerce Global Entrepreneurship Month Program Series. 

June 30, 2020: How To Mobilize Grassroots Investors for Washington’s Post-COVID Reconstruction

The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) held the Zoom event: “How To Mobilize Grassroots Investors for Washington’s Post-COVID Reconstruction” featuring economist, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and a leading visionary on community economics, Michael Shuman and local investment network leaders throughout Washington.

June 23, 2020: Telling the Story of Microlending in Washington State

Telling the Story: An inspiring panel discussion and Q&A about micro-lenders serving our rural and urban communities in Washington state.

April 14, 2020: COVID-19 Funding Opportunities for Non-Profit MDOs and the Limited Income Microenterprises They Serve

This April 2020 WSMA Webinar was for Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) and other providers who are serving independent contractors, farmers, microbusinesses, etc., in Washington State, during the pandemic crisis.

March 31, 2020: Employment Security & Unemployment Insurance: A Focus on Microenterprises, Independent Contractors, etc.

This March 2020 WSMA webinar focused on the available COVID-19 resources from the Employment Security Department, and from Labor and Industries.

March 27, 2020: COVID-19 Resources & Updates for WSMA Members: Perspectives from SBA Microlenders

During this March 2020 WSMA webinar, we learned how the COVID 19 virus and subsequent closures have impacted your organizations, and discussed how you are managing your programs with all of the disruptions in your work environments.

Facing Financial Security Challenges Head On

At least half of all microbusiness owners—13 million households—have incomes below the national median of $50,000. Microenterprise Associations help entrepreneurs secure the small loans necessary to make business dreams a reality.

Elevating Main Street Entrepreneurs Can Help Address the Racial Wealth Gap

Lower levels of business assets among Black and Latino households is one of the big drivers of the racial wealth divide.

Microenterprise Organizations Work for Our Economy

FACT: Micro-businesses are one of the most powerful forces in the U.S. economy.