Information for Businesses

Targeting BIPOC Businesses or Other Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Enterprises.

Grant Program Description:

The Multi-Ethnic Business Association (AHANA in Spokane) and Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) will be awarding Small Business Technical Assistance (TA) grants to for-profit businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted until funds are expended, but no later than May 15, 2023. Funding and assistance are made available as a result of a Small Business Innovation Fund Grant from the Washington State Dept. of Commerce.

Small businesses physically located in Spokane, Yakima, Whitman, and Stevens counties are eligible to apply. The award of grant funds is not guaranteed, and applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify. Grants are intended for businesses at least 51% owned by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) or other socially and/or economically disadvantaged small business enterprise. Women, Black/African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Middle Eastern, Native Americans, Native Alaskans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, or Native Hawaiian are generally presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged.

Use of Funds: Grant funds may be used for accounting support, marketing support, creating new jobs and retaining jobs that are subject to loss, and workplace improvements or repairs.

Award Amounts: There is $1,450,000 in funds for this program. Grants may be awarded in amounts of $5,000 to $15,000.

The online application portal is now open.  Applications are accepted until 8:59 pm Pacific Time, May 15, 2023. (Note: The application portal will close at 9 PM on May 15, 2023)

Where to apply:

The online application portal for the AHANA Small Business Innovation Grant is through the Innovia Foundation.

Apply for the AHANA Small Business Innovation Grant

A MyInnovia account is needed to apply for a grant. Click here to view instructions to create a MyInnovia account or click the button below to create your account on the Innovia website.

Click to create a MyInnovia account.

For application assistance with the grant, contact AHANA or Yakima County Development Association (see contact info below).

Uses of Funds:

$5,000 to $15,000 grants will be awarded based on application for:

• Accounting/bookkeeping
• Marketing support (website creation & hosting)
• Personnel costs (new job or continue existing job)
• Repair or update of fixed major equipment
• Building or workplace improvements or repairs

Grant Application Timeline:

Funds are limited and applications accepted through May 15th. Eligible businesses include BIPOC owned and socially/economically disadvantaged small businesses. Approximately $1.4 million is available for grant awards.

Eligible small businesses must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements:

• For-profit business
• 50 or fewer employees
• Majority owned by a BIPOC or economically socially disadvantaged person
• Physically located in Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, Yakima counties.
• Have been in operation for at least one year (since February 1, 2022)
• Provide all documents required in the application

You will need the following documents to apply:

• Government Issued Identification of Business Owner. Driver’s license, passport, or state ID are accepted. Upload front and back side of ID.
• Business License (City, County, or State) A copy of your business license. City, county, or state licenses are accepted.
• Tax Return, 2022
  Your business tax return for 2022. If you were a sole proprietor and not in business in 2022, please submit a personal tax return.
• Tax Return, 2021
  Businesses in operation prior to 2022 will submit their business tax return for 2021. If you are a sole proprietor, please submit a personal tax return.
• W9 Form
  A W9 form for your business.
• Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet, 2022
  Financial documentation for 2022 gross annual business revenues that indicates changes in net assets and statements of activity.
• UEI number – You must have a UEI number or your business will not be eligible to receive funds. Here is a link to a video explaining how to get a UEI number if you do not have one.  If you do not have one yet you can apply for one by clicking on the link: https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei

Here is a link to a video explaining how to get a UEI number if you do not have one

To apply and for more information visit: https://commercegrants.com/