Executive Director's Letter

Federal funding cuts, state budget negotiations, and changing practices in private funding have negatively impacted the non-profit sector in immeasurable ways in just the first quarter of 2025. SIMBA is not immune from these changes. If you're receiving this newsletter (and reading my ED Letter), you've likely seen our call to action to our Washington State legislators to keep funding in place to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in Eastern Washington. The proposed funding cuts impact SIMBA and dozens of other small business-focused support organizations throughout our state directly, but more importantly, the proposed cuts impact our small businesses and entrepreneurs in Eastern Washington.

SIMBA is not a chamber of commerce or solely a member-based association (although we love our members). We are an education-focused, resource for businesses from start up to stay up and beyond. We provide free 1:1 business consultations in 13 Eastern Washington counties on everything from "how do I form an LLC" to "how do I market on social media" to "how do I file my state B&O taxes." We offer small group training workshops across the region, and we've created a video library of resources for small businesses. Hiring a business consultant or other professional could easily cost a small business in Eastern Washington thousands of dollars. Those thousands of dollars could be better spent on leasing a storefront, hiring an employee, or buying new equipment. We help businesses find capital, apply for loans, and achieve their dreams. We are doing all we can to ensure we can continue to provide top-notch business support at no cost; we think business education shouldn't be behind a paywall or saved for those with MBAs or a wealthy family member.

If SIMBA's work has benefited you, let us know. Respond to this email. Leave us a 5-star Google Review. Consider a donation or membership. We think a thriving local economy matters more than ever, so don't just boycott Target or Amazon, take action while you can.

Warm regards, Robin

P.S. We truly appreciate those of you who have shared your legislative outreach efforts. Time is valuable, and we never have enough of it.

From left: SIMBA Board Secretary David Borrelli, Executive Director Robin Haynes, Vice President Chrystal Gonzalez, and President Juan Mas attend the M.J. Murdock Trust Board Leadership and Development Program in Vancouver, Washington in mid-March.

SIMBA Updates

Join us on Monday, April 14, 2025!

We’re excited to invite our current SIMBA Members to an in-person board meeting where we will deliver our 2024 Annual Report and share updates about SIMBA's progress, achievements, and future goals.

Date: Monday, April 14th
Time: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

Location: Saranac Building, 3rd Floor Classroom
25 W. Main Ave., Spokane, WA 99201

When you get here, please take the elevator located just past and to the left of Magic Lantern. Once on the 3rd floor, you’ll find the classroom to the right.

Come connect with fellow members, learn about our impact over the past year, and hear what’s on the horizon for SIMBA. We'll provide light snacks and beverages.

Please RSVP by April 11 at noon if you plan to attend in person! Let us know you'll be attending by emailing Grace Rowe at grace@spokaneindependent.org. Or, join us via Zoom.

Meet Our Members

SIMBA members have invested in making our community a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous place in which to Live Local! Learn more about becoming a SIMBA Member!

**Sustaining Member Spotlight:** Numerica Credit Union
Founded in 1937, Numerica Credit Union serves Eastern Washington and North Idaho, offering everything from everyday banking to loans, mortgages, and financial planning—all with a focus on enhancing lives, fulfilling dreams, and building strong communities. With a deep commitment to giving back, they invest in local initiatives and support causes that matter to their members. Whether through financial education, community partnerships, or personalized service, Numerica is dedicated to making banking easier and more rewarding for over 169,000 members.

Supporting Member Mentions: Advanta Insurance Brokers, LLC, Greater Spokane Progress, Vested, Locavore PNW, Delivery Pullman LLC, and I am Alliance

Grant & Loan Opportunities

In our ongoing commitment to supporting the success of the local businesses we serve, SIMBA actively seeks out grant opportunities that align with their needs! We can assist in navigating the application process, offering guidance and support every step of the way. If you want help applying for any of these grants, simply complete this short intake form. Grants are RARE for for-profit businesses outside of research fields, so make sure to apply for grants that may be available.

Spokane Neighborhood Business District Activation Grants

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has received nearly $2.5 million from the City of Spokane to support the continued revitalization of four of Spokane’s historic and vibrant neighborhood business districts: Garland, Hillyard, North Monroe, and South Perry. The first release of funds are Activation Grants.

$500 – $5,000 for individual business-led improvement projects (higher amounts available for group applications)

Deadline: April 7, 2025 | Project Completion: August 31, 2025

Eligibility: Open to district businesses, property owners, non-profits, and organizations within the neighborhood districts.

Learn More & Apply Here

Pulitzer Center’s U.S. Local News Grant Initiative

Are you a freelance or staff journalist working with a U.S. local news outlet? The Pulitzer Center’s U.S. Local News Grant Initiative is offering funding to support in-depth, investigative, and enterprise reporting projects that tackle underreported local issues. Grants are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Learn More & Apply Here

The Binc Foundation Grant

The Binc Foundation offers financial assistance to bookstore and comic store employees facing unforeseen emergencies. Applications reviewed as received (on-going deadline).

Learn More & Apply Here!