CIE is proud to share that we have been selected as one of the 24 nonprofit organizations receiving funding through the 2025–2026 Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) Statewide and Urban Grant Program. WSMA awarded a total of $240,000 in small grants to organizations across Washington that provide business training, technical assistance, and support with accessing financing for the smallest businesses, especially those with five or fewer employees.
This year’s grant cycle carries special significance. WSMA faced deep cuts in the 2025–2027 biennial state budget, which greatly reduced the amount of funding available to Entrepreneur Support Organizations. Despite these challenges, WSMA combined its Urban and Statewide grant cycles to continue supporting organizations like ours. We are honored to be selected during such a competitive and limited funding year.
This grant will help CIE strengthen and expand our programs for microbusiness owners, including entrepreneurs in historically marginalized communities. Across Washington, WSMA funding supports organizations that work with rural entrepreneurs, BIPOC-owned businesses, veterans, people with disabilities, returning citizens, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and many others. We are proud to be part of this statewide network that is advancing equitable economic opportunity.
WSMA’s support, made possible through the Washington State Department of Commerce, helps ensure that microbusinesses in every sector can access the resources they need to grow. These sectors include small-scale manufacturing, creative industries, agriculture and food-based businesses, childcare, clean technology, tourism, construction, maritime trades, and more.
We are grateful for this investment in our work and look forward to expanding our impact in the year ahead.
Acknowledgment: Funding provided by the Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA), thanks to a grant made by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
