January 2026 | ROAR Newsletter
Executive Director's Letter
I’m writing this letter the day that many citizens and businesses throughout the country are avoiding spending money and using their labor in an effort to support a general strike. I’ve seen posts from businesses I follow, including many posts from our smallest businesses, choosing to stay open because for solely-owned and small businesses it is often impossible to skip a day of work. Small business owners are feeding their families and supporting their employees and do not have the luxury of a day off. I’ve seen business owners donating a portion of their profits to charities whose values align with them, and others encouraging you to simply come hang out in their spaces without the pressure to spend. I’ve also seen silence - intentional and otherwise.
I want to encourage you as a business owner or a consumer, or just a member of our community, to think about how you are spending your money every single day. Not just January 30. Not just small business Saturday. Not just giving Tuesday. Every. Day. Vote with your dollar, every time you spend.
SIMBA’s mission is to support independent and local businesses (and nonprofits) throughout Spokane and Eastern Washington. For us that means education, consultations, 1:1 support, community-building, and promotion. For you, that can mean using Live Local INW to find somewhere that sells the item you always buy on Amazon. It can mean asking us for a referral for a local accountant or bookkeeper to file your taxes this year, instead of going to a pop-up H&R Block. It can mean attending a free community event, like Creative Mornings Spokane. It definitely means ditching your Starbucks habit for one of dozens of locally-owned coffee shops in Eastern Washington. It does not mean you have to be perfect, but you should be intentional. I don’t want to give my money to billionaires. I want to give my money to my community, my neighbors, and the causes and businesses that align with my values.
How will you be more intentional with your spending in 2026? How will you support local?
Warmly, Robin (robin@spokaneindependent.org)
SIMBA’s team spent time with the Heartbreaker Studio crew in January, offering a private workshop on state and federal taxes for stylists. SIMBA is happy to create custom workshops for your business or group on topics that matter to you at reasonable rates. From left: Victoria Batterton, Kat Higgins, SIMBA’s ED Robin Haynes, Emily Custer, and Hannah Hansen.
SIMBA UPDATES
NEW: Social Media Momentum Package
If social media keeps sliding to the bottom of your to-do list, this one’s for you. We’re introducing the Social Media Momentum Package, a done-with-you service built to help your business post more consistently and look more polished.
What’s included:
Custom Canva Templates: Five reusable post templates plus one Reels template
One-Month Content Plan: A content calendar with three posts per week (12 total post ideas)
Hands-On Training: One 90-minute session (virtual or in-person) covering platform walkthroughs, template use, and posting workflow
This package is designed for business owners who want the tools and confidence to manage their own social media without the chaos.
Learn more and view full details here!
Vote local, support local.
Cast your vote for SIMBA in The Inlander’s Best Of Non-Profit category (for services) and show some love to other small, local businesses and organizations doing big things for our community. We voted for our favorite SIMBA Member owned businesses.
Don’t forget to vote for the SIMBA x Spokast “In the Den” podcast while you’re there.
Vote here: https://bestof.inlander.com/
Current 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.
Washington State Organic & Sustainable Farming Fund
Washington farmers can apply for grant funding to support projects that improve the economic viability, environmental sustainability, and social impact of their farm businesses. Grants are available for individual farms, collaborative projects, and basic farm establishment needs — including support for organic, regenerative, and sustainable practices. Funding can be used for things like soil health improvements, biodiversity, water conservation, carbon sequestration, and other climate-smart activities.
Application deadline: February 9, 2026
Eligibility: Open to Washington State farm businesses practicing or transitioning into organic, sustainable, or regenerative agriculture. Applicants generally must have at least two years of relevant farming experience and meet the program’s project criteria.
Initiative in Reporting on Race and Criminal Justice (Columbia Journalism School)
Journalists and local newsrooms can apply for funding to pursue in-depth reporting projects on racial inequality and systemic issues within the U.S. criminal justice system through the Initiative in Reporting on Race and Criminal Justice from Columbia Journalism School’s Lipman Center. Grants of $30,000–$50,000 support year-long reporting on topics like law enforcement practices, prosecutorial and judicial bias, incarceration conditions, racial disparities, and human rights abuses — including costs for data, staff support, FOIA requests, travel, and more.
Application deadline: February 27, 2026.
Eligibility: Open to local newsrooms and independent journalists in the U.S. with reporting projects focused on race and criminal justice issues.
International Climate Initiative (IKI) Large Grants
Global organizations can secure major funding to drive transformative climate change mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity projects. The IKI Large Grants support large-scale, systemic initiatives with project budgets ranging from €5 million to €20 million and running up to eight years. Funding is awarded through an annual competitive process that combines thematic and country priority calls to maximize global impact.
Application deadline: February 17, 2026 (project outline stage)
Eligibility: Consortia of organisations and/or companies (including NGOs, universities, research institutes, intergovernmental bodies, and commercial partners) can apply to lead large-scale climate and biodiversity efforts.
Upcoming Events
The Small Business Design Audit: What's Hurting Your Brand?
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our marketing materials and branding might be silently costing you customers. Join Lejit Creative’s Joshua Thomas and Tyreil Poosri for a hands-on workshop where you’ll:
Spot common design mistakes that make small businesses look unprofessional or get ignored
See real before-and-after examples and live design audits
Walk away with a practical checklist to evaluate and strengthen your business cards, website, social media, and marketing materials
Whether you're doing design yourself or working with a designer, you'll gain the eye to know what's working and what's not.
Date & Time: February 4, 2026 | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburg St.
This event is hosted in partnership with SBRN and StartUp Spokane.
Lejit Creative is a Spokane-based branding and design studio helping small businesses stand out with clear, professional, and memorable visual identities. From logos and websites to marketing materials, they make sure your brand leaves the right impression.
We can’t wait to see you there.
Business Tip
Business Tip: Washington Saves Retirement Program
Washington State is launching Washington Saves, a new state-sponsored retirement savings program expected to open in July 2027. It’s designed for the more than 1.2 million workers who currently don’t have access to a retirement plan through their job.
Here’s what business owners should know: if you don’t already offer a qualified retirement plan, you may be required by law to make Washington Saves available to your employees once it launches. Employees will be able to save through automatic payroll contributions into their own Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The accounts are portable, flexible, and professionally managed by private financial firms with state oversight. Employers with approximately 5+ full-time employees must participate in the Washington Saves program if they do not offer a retirement plan.
The good news for employers: the program is built to be easy to administer. There are no employer fees, no required employer contributions, and no fiduciary liability for participating businesses.
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: Mountain Top Mentality is a lifestyle brand built for people who love adventure, exploration, and living with purpose. Their lineup includes cozy t‑shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and crewnecks designed to look good and feel even better, along with hats, beanies, stickers, and accessories that celebrate the journey. They also offer hand‑poured candles and home fragrances, including a National Park Collection that captures the essence of iconic landscapes while supporting conservation efforts, plus colognes and other thoughtfully designed gear. Every piece is made with intention and attention to detail, meant to inspire you to keep climbing and keep exploring.
Nonprofit Member Mentions: Providential Solutions LLC, The Hamilton Studio, The Isaac Foundation, Cloverleaf Education Services, Red Urban, and Global Neighborhood Thrift.
