Previous State Grant Programs
To date, the state has provided more than $500 million in relief to small businesses and non-profits across the state since March 2020. Details about the distribution of Commerce’s previous business grant rounds are available here.
You can also see a summary of all Commerce’s COVID-19 response efforts here.
Closed Programs
- Convention Center Grants
The Washington State Legislature has allocated $5 million for a grant program to assist businesses and nonprofits that are dependent to maintain their operations on the economic activity created through conventions hosted in Washington state.
- Working Washington Small Business Grants: Round 5
The Washington State Legislature has allocated a new round of grant funding for small businesses affected by the pandemic. $70 million was appropriated by the legislature for the next round of Working Washington Grants: Round 5. In this round of Working Washington grants, available funds are set aside for specific targeted groups or sectors:
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- 60% is identified for the arts, heritage, and science sectors, including those that operate live entertainment venues
- 40% is identified for most other sectors, including hospitality, fitness and personal services
- Border Business Relief Grants
Grants up to $39,000 to business and nonprofits in 10 counties with a Canadian land or port crossing in late 2021. A total of $3 million in grants were awarded.
- Working Washington Small Business Grants: Round 4
Commerce awarded $237 million in grant relief funds to small for-profit businesses, especially those that were required to close due to public health and safety measures or had demonstrated lost revenue as a result of a closure.
- Department of Agriculture Relief & Recovery Grants
The Washington State Department of Commerce partnered with the Department of Agriculture to provide grants of up to $15,000 to shellfish growers, farmers market organizations, agritourism farms and small breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries.
- Nonprofit Recovery Grants
The Washington State Department of Commerce partnered with ArtsFund to administer over $10 million in Nonprofit Community Recovery (NCR) grants. The grants program was focused on arts, cultural, science, and heritage organizations and ranged from $2,500 to $25,000.
- Working Washington Small Business Grants: Round 3
Commerce awarded approximately $100 million to small businesses statewide through Round 3. Successful applicants were notified by Dec. 31, 2020.
- Immigrant Relief Fund
Gov. Inslee used $40 million in federal funds to assist Washington workers who missed work due to COVID-19, but were unable to access federal stimulus programs and other social supports due to their immigration status.
- Shellfish Seed Grant
Offered through Impact Washington and Commerce, these grants targeted shellfish growers who were affected by COVID and resulting economic conditions so they could larvae and seed to plant in Washington.
This interactive map shows the more than 1,400 grant recipients of the Governor’s Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants that distributed nearly $10 million to small businesses statewide. You can also view a summary by county showing total awards distributed, number of businesses assisted and type of business.
Commerce funded an additional $10 million in small business grants that were administered and managed by the state’s network of associate economic development organizations.
- Nonprofits: Youth Development Relief Fund
Commerce partnered with Schools Out Washington to administer this grant program for nonprofits that provide youth development programs. The program prioritized organizations that serve populations disproportionately impacted by or at-risk due to COVID-19. This included youth with disabilities, homeless youth, immigrant youth and more.
- Nonprofits: ArtsWA Relief Grants
Commerce partnered with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) to provide relief funding to arts and cultural organizations impacted by COVID-19. Funding was prioritized for organizations that serve under-resourced communities, culturally diverse populations and underrepresented groups.
- Nonprofits: Equity Relief Fund
This program provided one-time relief grant funding to help very small nonprofits in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. These grants helped nonprofits continue the programs and services they provide, including cultural connections, human services, legal support, education, safety and community development.