SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

​A. Help with Accessing the Online Application: Email SocialEquityContractor@pdg-law.com

B. Help with Completing the Application:

There are many not-for-profit organizations and agencies in the state of Washington that provide technical assistance services to small and diverse businesses. Social equity applicants that seek technical assistance to organize, develop and/or to expand their business should consider the services provided by these organizations and agencies, some of which are listed below and on the agency’s webpage. Social equity applicants are not required or expected to obtain services or information from any of these organizations and agencies in connection with the Social Equity in Cannabis Program. The receipt of services from these organizations and agencies by social equity applicants does not guarantee that they will be allowed to participate in the Social Equity in Cannabis Program. WSLCB does not endorse any of these organizations and/or agencies nor does it assume any responsibility for the services that they provide.

  • MakeGreenGo

    • The WSLCB has partnered with the Washington State Department of Commerce and MakeGreenGo, an organization that provides business development services for cannabis social equity applicants.

    • MakeGreenGo has assisted in implementing social equity in cannabis programs across multiple states and jurisdictions in collaboration with government agencies. Social equity applicants can sign up for free to participate in their educational program modules. These modules provide an introduction to business concepts such as financing, marketing, taxes and business planning. All module presenters and hosts are experts in the industry and offer examples specific to cannabis business owners. Each module has downloadable content for applicants to reference and use in working to develop their business plans.

    • Social equity applicants can provide their name and email address to sign up for a free account and access the content.

  • Department of Commerce

    • The Department of Commerce is seeking a roster of mentors and facilitators to support social equity licensees. Mentors will initially provide support services to any early-stage entrepreneurs interested in starting cannabis business enterprises, particularly those who have been historically impacted by high poverty and enforcement of cannabis prohibitions. Assistance will also include specialized guidance and support to those seeking social equity licenses. Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Website (Training and Education)

  • Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise

    • Social equity applicants may contact OMWBE at (360) 664-9750 or Toll Free (866) 208-1064 to speak with a Technical Assistant. They can also email technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov or visit their office any time Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. The OMWBE is located at 1110 Capitol Way South, Suite 150 Olympia, WA 98501. For assistance with the social equity application: https://omwbe.wa.gov/certification/frequently-asked-questions-faqs-and-fact-sheets

  • MBDA Business Center – Tacoma

    • The MBDA Business Center is part of a national network of funded centers located in major cities throughout the nation. The Center works with minority business enterprises (MBEs) to generate increased financing and contract opportunities, and to create and retain jobs.

    • The program's objective is to provide ongoing, quality assistance to MBEs with rapid growth potential so that they can achieve greater participation in the development of the nation's commerce. The Center provides technical assistance and strategic business consulting to MBEs to generate increased financing and contracting opportunities. https://www.mbda.gov/business-center/washington-mbda-business-center

  • American Indian Chamber Education Fund PTAC

    • The American Indian Chamber Education Fund PTAC provides technical assistance to Native American owned businesses. http://aicef-ptac.org/

  • U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

    • MBDA supports job growth and economic expansion through a network of MBDA business centers, collaboration with federal, state and local government agencies, and strategic partnerships.https://www.mbda.gov/

  • White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

    • The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics (Initiative) was originally established in 1990 to address the educational disparities faced by the Hispanic community. It is a multi-agency working group within the Department of Education charged with strengthening the nation’s capacity to provide high-quality education while increasing opportunities for Hispanic American participation in federal education programs.https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/

  • Women Entrepreneurs Inc.

  • Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

    • The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), founded in 1997, is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the nation. WBENC partners with 14 Regional Partner Organizations to provide certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country. https://www.wbenc.org/

  • Professional Women in Construction

    • Professional Women in Construction (PWC) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing professional, entrepreneurial and managerial opportunities for women and other non-traditional populations in construction and related industries. https://www.pwcusa.org/

  • Washington State Small Business Development Centers

    • The Washington SBDC promotes economic vitality within Washington communities by providing expert business advising, demand-driven training, and applied research to existing businesses and entrepreneurs. The SBDC is a cooperative effort of Washington State University, other educational institutions, economic development organizations and the U.S. Small Business Administration. https://wsbdc.org/

  • Northwest Indian Applied Research Institute

  • AHANA (African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native Americans) Business Association

    • AHANA strives to improve the economic status and enhance the quality of life of minority communities through the development of business and employment opportunities. https://ahana-meba.org/

  • Tabor 100

    • Tabor 100 is an association of entrepreneurs and business advocates who are committed to economic power, educational excellence and social equity for African-Americans and the community at large. https://www.tabor100.org/

  • National Minority Business Council

    • Founded in 1972 , the National Minority Business Council provides business assistance, educational opportunities, seminars, purchasing listings and related services to businesses throughout the tri-state area and across the nation. https://www.nmbc.org/

  • National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

    • The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation that provides business and economic development assistance to American Indian tribes and their enterprises. https://www.ncaied.org/

  • Latino Business Association

    • The Latin Business Association (LBA), established in 1976, is an active Latin business trade association which represents over 800,000 Latin businesses in California. https://lbausa.com/

  • INROADS

    • The mission of INROADS is to develop and place talented underserved youth in business and industry, and prepare them for corporate and community leadership. https://inroads.org/

  • Diversity 2000

    • Diversity 2000 has a free database of minority and women business enterprises (M/WBEs) and contacts within Fortune 1000 companies on its website. Persons can register their company as a supplier at no charge. Suppliers' profiles are made available to buyers including Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, associations and other major purchasers nationwide seeking to do business with M/WBEs. http://www.div2000.com/

  • Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence

    • Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence is an organization that makes small business loans and gives training scholarships to women. https://www.count-me-in.org/

  • Asian American Business Development Center

    • Asian American Business Development Center was established in New York City in 1994 to promote greater recognition of Asian American businesses' contributions to the general economy. AABDC encourages Asian American businesses to be more actively involved in issues and policies that directly affect them at the federal, state and city levels. AABDC also provides capacity-building assistance to business entities. https://www.aabdc.com/

  • U.S. Dept. of Interior - Information about Tribes, BIA, Resources

    • Bureau of Indian Affairs (IA) is the oldest bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Established in 1824, IA currently provides services, directly or through contracts, grants, or compacts to approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. https://www.bia.gov/

  • Ventures - Small Business Services

    • Ventures offers several additional resources, including an initial eight-week Business Basics course to help people reach their goals and move their businesses forward. These services include a variety of resources, including access to capital, advanced business training, free small business legal advice and one-to-one coaching. https://www.venturesnonprofit.org/

  • Business Impact NW (BIN)

    • Business Impact NW (BIN) is a consortium of non-profit community development organizations. This includes a community development corporation that provides training, counseling, and membership. BIN also includes a certified community development financial institution that provides access to capital and business assistance to small businesses, with special emphasis on low-income, women and minority entrepreneurs and small businesses in distressed and underserved communities in Washington State. https://businessimpactnw.org/

  • Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Surplus Operations

    • Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Surplus Operations handles used goods ranging from corkscrews to museum exhibits to used radar guns and vehicles. Proceeds from sales pay for the surplus program and result in financial returns to state and local government agencies. https://des.wa.gov/services/surplus/buy-surplus

  • Retirement Marketplace

  • Pro Bono Washington

    • Pro Bono Washington is an online resource administered by the Washington State Bar Association in collaboration with the WSBA Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, Qualified Legal Services Organizations, and others in the pro bono community. The purpose of the Pro Bono portal is to connect legal professionals to pro bono opportunities throughout the state that match their interests, expertise, and availability. Pro Bono Washington partners with more than 80 volunteer legal providers that offer legal services to low and moderate income individuals. https://www.probonocouncil.org/

  • Washington Tribes

    • Washington Tribes is a public education initiative sponsored by the Washington Indian Gaming Association to raise awareness about tribal government investments.https://www.washingtontribes.org/

  • WSDOT Office of Equal Opportunity

    • The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Minority and Women Business Enterprises Support Services (MWBESS) program provides state-funded supportive services and training to minority, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged businesses that seek to work on WSDOT highway-related construction projects. https://wsdot.wa.gov/business-wsdot/equal-opportunity-contracting