Small Business Workforce Accelerator Grant (RFP #24-01)
Funding Amount
Up to $6,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
Small Business Workforce Accelerator Grant (RFP #24-01)
Funder: Washington State Department of Commerce • Community Reinvestment Project
Status: Application period closed after 40 applications received (opened January 27, 2025)
Geographic Scope: King County, Washington
Focus Areas:
Support for small businesses through one of three eligible project types:
Objective: Repair wealth disparities in communities disproportionally harmed by the War on Drugs by helping reduce economic barriers to hiring and training.
- Small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) and nonprofits
- Priority: 51% or more owned/operated by individuals from Black, urban Indian/Tribal, and Latine communities
- Active business license in King County
- Registered with IRS and have account with Washington State Employment Security Department
- Must carry Worker's Compensation Insurance
- Awardees of Small Business Investment Grant are not eligible
- By-and-For organizations already contracted with WDC for CRP/CRF work are not eligible
Eligibility
- Business owner wages or training for business owners (except in group organizational trainings)
- Contractor/1099 positions
- Working capital, land/building acquisition, or relieving existing debt
What They Don't Fund
- Award Amount: Up to $6,500 per grant
- Approximate Grants Available: 40 grants (applications accepted until limit reached)
- Reporting Requirements: Timesheets/payroll for New Hire/Internship; receipts for training; success stories/impact reports; WorkSource WA account creation
Key Details
Contact
Email: athornton-west@seakingwdc.orgOrganization: Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County
Address: 450 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206.448.0474
How to Apply
Application Process
Timeline:
Required Information in Application
1. Contact information 2. Business information 3. Project details: - Paid Internship: Position description, wage, training plan - Employee Development/Training: Training type, cost - New Hire Wages: Position description, wage- Valid business license
- Proof of IRS registration
- Proof of Worker's Compensation Insurance
- Payroll/timesheet documentation (for New Hire and Internship projects)
- Training receipts and completion documentation (for Employee Development/Training)
- WorkSource WA account creation (for hired/intern employees)
Required Documentation
- Virtual application assistance calls offered on specific dates
- Support available from WDC business team
- Connection to resource organizations such as Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN) and Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- Contact: athornton-west@seakingwdc.org for application support
Application Assistance
- Maintain safe and healthy working conditions
- Not displace current employees or reduce workforce
- Provide training, supervision, oversight, and support
- Maintain adequate time and attendance records
- Pay wages by check or direct deposit
- Follow all Federal and State employment laws
- Retain employee after wage subsidy period (for New Hire projects)
- Agree not to use funds for business owner wages
Key Employer Responsibilities (if awarded)
- Applicants can apply for one project initially; welcome to apply again after completion if opportunity reopens
- Candidates do not need to be pre-approved before hire
- Interns/New Hires should not start until award notification and contract signing
- WDC can assist with finding qualified candidates
- Contractors/1099 employees not eligible except in group Employee Development/Training
Notes
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
Categories
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