Small Business
FCS is dedicated to connecting and empowering the small business owners in the greater Seattle area. We provide culturally relevant technical assistance and strive to create a safe and supportive environment for our community members to thrive in.
Our services include but are not limited to:
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Finding and applying for local, state, and federal resources
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Technical assistance
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Workshops
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Community forums
Small Business Programs
Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN)
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted small businesses especially within marginalized communities. Many faced downsizing or indefinite closures, while individuals affected by economic instability turned to entrepreneurship for financial resilience. In response, the Washington State Department of Commerce launched the Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN) to support equitable recovery across Washington. Our organization has been a proud SBRN partner since its inception.
In 2020, we assisted over 20 businesses in applying for grants, with 11 receiving funding, to support their recovery and growth and continued to assist businesses in navigating local, state and federal resources. From 2023-2024, through the credit-building pilot program, Small Business Resiliency Loan Program, we assisted an additional 19 businesses in applying for grant-loans, distributing a total of $345,000 helping businesses to start-up, expand, purchase new equipment, or support early stage product development.
To date, we’ve collaborated with small businesses and local organizations to provide culturally, linguistically relevant technical assistance, and organize seasonal cultural markets at the Filipino Community Center to provide marketing and vending opportunities for our creatives and small business community. We host monthly meetings. Subscribe to our newsletter so you’ll get our latest news on upcoming events and other opportunities!
Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA)
The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) mission is to strengthen economic development systems that support the growth of strong and effective Entrepreneur Support Organizations* (ESOs). Guided by its values in collaboration, economic justice, environmental sustainability, and advocacy, WSMA envisions economic justice where every micro-entrepreneur has equal access to economic development resources. To advance its mission, WSMA continues to build coalitions of organizations, agencies, and individuals dedicated to microenterprise development. In 2022, the Filipino Community of Seattle Small Business program earned its first WSMA grant and became a WSMA ESO partner.
As a proud WSMA ESO partner, we provide economic development resources through our financial education, business development workshops, networking nights and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. In 2023, we successfully launched our first-ever Small Business Community Forum, bringing together experienced local entrepreneurs to share insights with aspiring business owners. We also developed the first iteration of our Filipino/a/x Business Community Resource Directory.
If you’d like to update or add your business to our directory, please complete the Resource Directory Submission Form.
Questions?
Email sbrn@filcommsea.org if you have questions about any of FCS’s Small Business services.
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