Service Update and Resources: COVID-19

Check back for updates on our services and community resources for entrepreneurs with limited resources. This page is updated 1-2 times per week as needed.

Last updated: March 1st

Office Closure and How to Get in Touch

Please note that the Ventures office in the 2100 Building will be closed until further notice, but our team will be working remotely and will be available via phone and email. If you have a general question and need to get in touch with us, please contact us at programs@venturesnonprofit.org or 206-352-1945.

Resources for Your Business

• Ascend has created a playbook to help small businesses recover from COVID-19. View the playbook here.
• The City of Seattle has expanded street closure options to support restaurants and retail stores. Apply for a street closure permit here.
• GoFundMe has created a matching fund for small business owners. Business owners are eligible for $500 in matching funds after raising $500. More information here.
• Kiva has expanded eligibility for their 0% interest loans up to $15,000. More information available here.
• Communities Rise has launched a new Covid-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Legal Clinic. Small businesses and nonprofits will get to meet with a lawyer for a free 60-minute legal consultation by phone or video conference (client preference). Fill out this form to get started. They also have a Lease Amendment Toolkit if you’re looking for help with your commercial lease.
• Find out if your business is considered “essential” with these guidelines from Washington State. If you fit, you can register your business here to make sure that you are allowed to continue operating.
• GrantNews is offering real-time updates on their website. You can sign up for business specific grant updates here.

Resources for Personal Finances

• Some Washington residents can apply through the Department of Social and Health Services for emergency cash assistance to help meet their immediate needs. Learn more here and please reach out to the Ventures team with any questions.
• HSBC’s financial education platforms, Your Money Counts  and the HSBC Financial Wellness Center provide the tools to help people develop an action plan to create a budget, manage credit, purchase a home, safeguard against identity theft and more.  HSBC has semiweekly one-hour virtual Financial Literacy Workshops, held on Tuesdays (Spanish) and Thursdays (English) at 2pm EST/11am PST. Join all workshops via new link. ID: 952 8146 5220 Password:  242166

Self-care and Mental Health Resources

• Brown and Brown Insurance has a “benefits hub” offering discounts on health and behavioral health services, learning resources, food and food delivery services, and more. Access the hub here.
• West African Community Council has secured a COVID vaccination opportunity for immigrants & refugees. LEarn more and join the waitlist here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/covid-19-vaccine-waitlist?source=direct_link&

Ventures Service Updates

TRAINING  

All Ventures courses scheduled to date will now be offered remotely online with an option to join via computer or phone. This could change based on the situation next month, but we are currently planning for following courses to be offered online. All registered participants will receive instructions on how to participate before the course. Interested in signing up for one of the courses? Please click here. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with everyone if plans change before each course. 

COACHING 

All coaching meetings will now be conducted remotely only via phone, video chat, or email. As always, meetings with Ventures coaches are FREE and UNLIMITED. Schedule a meeting with a business coach below. 

• Christian Morales, Food Business Coach – Contact: cmorales@venturesnonprofit.org  206-960-4973 (FOOD BUSINESSES: KING COUNTY IS EXTENDING THE TIMELINE FOR SUBMITTING PERMIT FEES. Please contact Christian with further questions.

• Erin Williamson, Financial Coach – Contact: ewilliamson@venturesnonprofit.org  206-960-4545 

• James Dunn, Business Coach – Contact: jdunn@venturesnonprofit.org  

• Mayra Gomez, Financial Coach – Contact: mgomez@venturesnonprofit.org  206-641-9964 

• Ryan Calkins, Service Business Coach – Contact: rcalkins@venturesnonprofit.org 206-960-4939
  
• Annette Crespo, Snohomish County Program Manager – Contact acrespo@venturesnonprofit.org 206-855-3822

CAPITAL  

• Are you a current Ventures loan client with questions about your loan? Please contact Erin Williamson (ewilliamson@venturesnonprofit.org) to learn what support is available to you during the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Ventures offers small business loans from $500 – $35,000. To learn about our loans and whether they are right for your business, please contact Erin Williamson (ewilliamson@venturesnonprofit.org) or Mayra Gomez (mgomez@venturesnonprofit.org).

INCUBATION 

• Retail store: the Ventures Marketplace will be closed to the public until further notice, but we have launched the Ventures Marketplace Online! Please reach out to Pam Home with your questions or issues. phome@venturesnonprofit.org  
• Commercial kitchen: New kitchen sign-ups have been put on hold until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation and update clients on when this service will become available again.

As COVID-19 is an evolving situation, we will be in communication if there are any other changes to our services.