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We Go B.I.G. for Your Small Business

Funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project, the Business Investment Grants (B.I.G.) opportunity aims to rectify historical injustices, including those from the “War on Drugs.” 

Grant Amount Available  – Applicants may apply for up to $15,000, with average awards anticipated to be between $5,000 and $10,000. Please note that substantiation of need including budget and detailed description of need will help us make appropriate decisions on award amounts to maximize funding.

We are committed to creating equity for Spokane Businesses within our community.

This commitment begins here with ensuring clarity in how these funds are disbursed. We will prioritize businesses 51% or more owned and operated by individuals from Black, Indigenous, and Latino/a/x communities to rectify the injustices stemming from the historical implementation and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession, also known as the “War on Drugs.”

 

Application Materials

Please review the application, scoring guide, and all other materials necessary to complete the application. Please reach out to our team if you need help completing the documents.

APPLY

We will prioritize businesses 51% or more owned and operated by individuals from Black, Indigenous, and Latino/a/x communities to rectify the injustices stemming from the historical implementation and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession, also known as the “War on Drugs.”

Focus Areas (funds must be utilized for one or more of the following purposes):

  1. Capacity building/growth: Funding allocated towards activities or initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall capabilities, resources, and effectiveness of the organization, enabling it to expand its operations, reach, or impact.
  2. Sustainability: Grant funds intended to support efforts that promote long-term viability and resilience of the organization, including initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, financial stability, or social impact sustainability.
  3. Hiring: Financial support designated for the recruitment and onboarding of new employees, particularly targeted towards increasing diversity and representation within the organization’s workforce.
  4. Retention: Funds allocated to implement strategies or programs aimed at retaining existing employees, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, and reducing turnover rates within the organization.
  5. Staff training: Grant funds utilized for the provision of training and professional development opportunities for employees, aimed at enhancing their skills, knowledge, and capabilities in areas relevant to the organization’s mission and objectives.
  • April 3, 2024: Applications open.
  • April 10th (11am-12pm) – Application Assistance CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM LINK
  • April 17th (12pm-1pm): Application Assistance CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM LINK
  • May 15, 2024 (5:00 PM): Deadline for submitting applications.
  • June 1, 2024: Applicants will receive a status update on their applications.
  • July 1, 2024: Final notification of application status will be sent to applicants.

To apply click HERE     

Please review the scoring guide HERE

Please review the budget template HERE

FAQs

If your question is not listed here, please feel free to submit it to us at programteam@spokaneworkforce.org. We update our FAQ section weekly with all questions and answers received.

?

The CRF Business Investment Grant Opportunity is open to businesses and non-profits located in Spokane County. Priority is given to organizations that are at least 51% owned or operated by individuals from Black, Indigenous, and Latino/a/x communities. Others that are invited to apply are business owners who are refugees or immigrants or from other racially and ethnically marginalized communities. 

Grant funds must be used for activities related to capacity building/growth, sustainability, hiring, retention, or staff training. These funds should directly contribute to the development and enhancement of the organization’s operations and impact.

To apply for the CRF Business Investment Grant Opportunity, please visit our website at

www.spokaneworkforce.org/BIG. You will find the application form along with detailed instructions on how to complete and submit your application.

The application requires basic organizational information, a description of the proposed activities, a budget detailing how the grant funds will be used, and any additional documentation relevant to your proposed project. We will also require a valid business license, IRS Form W-9 and budget document to be uploaded into the application. We will accept State/Local Tribal documents. 

Grant applications are evaluated based on several criteria including ownership representation, alignment with grant purpose, impact and sustainability, community benefit and engagement, and completeness of the application. Each criterion is assigned a specific point value, and applications are scored accordingly. Scoring criteria can be downloaded/viewed on our website www.spokaneworkforce.org/BIG

Yes, the deadline for submitting grant applications is May 15, 2024 at 5pm

Our goal is for notifications to go out to awardees on or before June 1, 2024. All applicants will be notified about the status of their application before July 1, 2024. 

Yes. We will have two application assistance webinars and they will be offered on Zoom. They are listed below:

April 10th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89443785360

April 17th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83378427759

If you are in need of other application assistance or an accommodation for completing the application, please email us at programteam@spokaneworkforce.org

We recommend carefully reviewing the grant guidelines and application instructions before submitting your application. Additionally, please ensure that your proposed activities align with the grant priorities and that all required documentation is provided to facilitate the review process.

Yes, we encourage applicants to reach out if they have any questions or need assistance with their applications. Please submit all questions to us at programteam@spokaneworkforce.org and we will update this Q&A document weekly with all questions and answers received. 

Your Trusted Team

Bianka DeSure

Program Coordinator

Email: bdesure@spokaneworkforce.org
Phone: 509.960.6254

Jessica Clayton Portrait

Jessica Clayton

Division Executive of Programs & Development

Email: jclayton@spokaneworkforce.org
Phone: 509.960.6262

Logo-and-link-for-Talent-Solutions-by-WorkSource-Spokane

Talent Solutions by WorkSource Spokane

Technical Assistance Partner

Email: TalentSolutions@esd.wa.gov
Phone: 509.532.3186

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Join our mailing list to stay informed of all future request for proposals and bids.

Archived RFPs & RFBs

The RFPs and RFBs below are now closed and listed here for archive and visibility purposes.

The SWC is soliciting proposals to identify two operators for the WorkSource Campus, with one at each of the following locations: WorkSource Spokane and the Resource Center of Spokane County. Agencies can bid on one or more operator positions. Operators should be goal-driven, visionary, inspirational and highly professional leaders willing to achieve our vision for cutting-edge, functionally integrated service sites. In general, each operator will be responsible for the management of their respective site, with the WorkSource operator additionally responsible for (1) functionally or directly leading talent solution services, and (2) supporting the SWC with coordinating affiliated WorkSource service locations in Spokane County. 

The following documents apply to this RFP:

  • WorkSource Campus Operations RFP
  • WorkSource Operator Budget Without Client Services
  • Resource Center of Spokane County Operator Budget Without Client Services

> Download the WorkSource Campus Center Operations RFP here

The SWC is soliciting proposals to identify a consortium of providers to deliver Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker (DW) services at WorkSource Spokane in a manner designed to meet the needs of local employers. Unlike typical Adult and Dislocated Worker program Requests for Proposal, this RFP is designed to identify a consortium capable of offering WIOA Title I services in a functional team model, which is accomplished by grouping services by service level – Basic Career, Individualized Career, and Training – rather than by program or agency.

The following documents apply to this RFP:

  • WorkSource Spokane Services Providers’ Consortium RFP
  • Budget with client services

> Download the WorkSource Spokane Service Providers’ Consortium RFP here

The SWC is soliciting proposals to identify a consortium of providers to deliver WIOA Title I Youth services at the Next Generation Zone in a one-stop career center model. This RFP is designed to identify a consortium capable of offering WIOA Title I Youth services in an integrated environment where education, career skills training, community and employment resources are co-located to provide wrap-around support to young adults.

The following documents apply to this RFP:

  • Next Generation Zone Service Providers’ Consortium RFP
  • Budget with Client Services
  • Youth Loading Chart

> Download the Next Generation Zone Service Providers’ Consortium RFP here

The SWC is soliciting proposals to identify a consortium of agencies to offer talent solutions services, also known as business services, on behalf of the Spokane WorkSource System and the SWC. Services will be delivered at our new Talent Solutions Center at 140 S. Arthur St. Suite 300B, Spokane, WA. It is the goal of the SWC that the talent solutions team strive to be a national leader in talent solution services.

The following documents apply to this RFP:

  • WorkSource System Talent Solutions RFP
  • Budget Without Client Services

> Download the WorkSource System Talent Solutions RFP here

Awarded to:
Executech

Original website posting:
The Spokane Workforce Council is pleased to release a Request for Bids (RFB) for Managed IT Services at the Next Generation Zone. The Next Generation Zone is Spokane County’s only young adult career center, and serves upward of 250 young adults each month seeking education and career services.

Below find the RFB guidelines and our data security policy for IT providers. Please read the RFB in its entirety for full details. Proposals are due via email to admin@spokaneworkforce.org by close of business on April 13, 2021.

Awarded to:
[enter winners]

Original website posting:
Section Title: General Information for all RFPs

Please review each RFP for a detailed timeline. General timeline overview:

  • All proposals are due to the SWC on April 25, 2019.
  • Questions will be accepted via email only to admin@wdcspokane.com through April 22. All responses will be posted on this RFP Q&A page.

  • An optional bidders’ conference will be held on March 7 at 10:00 AM. We ask that interested bidders RSVP for the conference by March 4 by emailing admin@wdcspokane.com, and submit questions in advance so that we can accurately prepare. RSVP and advance submission of questions is not required.  

View RFP Q&A


The Spokane Workforce Council is pleased to announce the release of $3.39M through four new Requests for Proposal (RFP):

WorkSource Campus Operations (link to RFP)

The SWC is soliciting proposals to identify three operators for the WorkSource Campus, with one at each of the following locations: WorkSource Spokane, Next Generation Zone, and EnVision Center. Agencies can bid on one or more operator positions. Operators should be goal-driven, visionary, inspirational and highly professional leaders willing to achieve our vision for cutting-edge, functionally integrated service sites. In general, each operator will be responsible for the management of their respective site, with the WorkSource operator additionally responsible for (1) functionally or directly leading talent solution services, and (2) supporting the SWC with coordinating affiliated WorkSource service locations in Spokane County.

WorkSource WIOA Service Providers’ Consortium (link to RFP)

The SWC is soliciting proposals to identify three operators for the WorkSource Campus, with one at each of the following locations: WorkSource Spokane, Next Generation Zone, and EnVision Center. Agencies can bid on one or more operator positions. Operators should be goal-driven, visionary, inspirational and highly professional leaders willing to achieve our vision for cutting-edge, functionally integrated service sites. In general, each operator will be responsible for the management of their respective site, with the WorkSource operator additionally responsible for (1) functionally or directly leading talent solution services, and (2) supporting the SWC with coordinating affiliated WorkSource service locations in Spokane County.

Next Generation Zone Service Providers’ Consortium (link to RFP)

The SWC is soliciting proposals to identify three operators for the WorkSource Campus, with one at each of the following locations: WorkSource Spokane, Next Generation Zone, and EnVision Center. Agencies can bid on one or more operator positions. Operators should be goal-driven, visionary, inspirational and highly professional leaders willing to achieve our vision for cutting-edge, functionally integrated service sites. In general, each operator will be responsible for the management of their respective site, with the WorkSource operator additionally responsible for (1) functionally or directly leading talent solution services, and (2) supporting the SWC with coordinating affiliated WorkSource service locations in Spokane County.

WorkSource System Talent Solutions (link to RFP)

The SWC is soliciting proposals to identify three operators for the WorkSource Campus, with one at each of the following locations: WorkSource Spokane, Next Generation Zone, and EnVision Center. Agencies can bid on one or more operator positions. Operators should be goal-driven, visionary, inspirational and highly professional leaders willing to achieve our vision for cutting-edge, functionally integrated service sites. In general, each operator will be responsible for the management of their respective site, with the WorkSource operator additionally responsible for (1) functionally or directly leading talent solution services, and (2) supporting the SWC with coordinating affiliated WorkSource service locations in Spokane County.

The following documents apply to each RFP:
american-job-center
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The Spokane Workforce Council is an Equal Opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay 711.

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