Hello

The GSBA staff has been practicing physical distancing while working remotely. In spite of the distance we are prioritizing staying socially connected and genuinely engaged with YOU and all of our members statewide.

The impact of the pandemic on small businesses and nonprofits created a ripple effect which has reverberated throughout our entire community. GSBA has pivoted our work in order to support business owners with PPP loans, educate and access PPE, and navigate phases of reopening. We’ve also put our values into practice, alongside our neighbors and community stakeholders fighting for freedom, liberation, and justice.

The following is a summary of our work, including new pivots and practices implemented this year. We welcome your feedback and invite you to “grade” this report card via a link at the end of the document.
GSBA Pivots & Practices

Pandemic Pivot

  • COVID-19 Emergency Resource Page created and maintained with regular updates on financial, operational, and safety resources for small businesses and employees.
  • Rapid Response webinar series developed to allow viewers to ask questions of professional experts and receive responsive live answers.
  • Keeping It Real is hosted by Lindsey T. H. Jackson who helps individual leaders and organizations speak up, speak out, and move closer to reaching their full potential.
  • Government loan and grant application assistance for over one hundred small businesses

Protest Pivot

  • Capitol Hill Business Alliance, a program of GSBA, gained its footing after an October 2019 launch as Capitol Hill’s neighborhood chamber.
  • Capitol Hill Small Business Survey conducted in June 2020; high-level information was shared with policymakers at all levels, including needs around CHOP.
  • Public Safety Committee being formed after facilitating multiple community conversations to address neighborhood safety concerns.

Public Policy

  • Worked to ban panic defenses and prohibit healthcare discrimination in Olympia.
  • Pushed for pandemic assistance that is tangible, relevant, and immediately valuable to small businesses and nonprofits at the city, county, state, and federal levels.
  • Worked with City of Seattle departments on permitting reform for small businesses.
  • Worked with Rep. Jayapal to craft small business provisions of the Paycheck Recovery Act.
  • Connected members directly with policymakers to share their experiences during the pandemic.

Digital Enhancements

  • 2020-2021 GSBA Guide & Directory was released in an exciting new digital format with enhanced features.
  • Travel Out Seattle, a program of GSBA, received a website refresh to promote LGBTQ and allied tourism in Seattle and throughout Washington State.
Forward Vision with GSBA

Looking ahead to the second half of 2020, GSBA wants to thank each of its members for continuing on this journey with us, and making a steadfast commitment to equality in the year ahead. We will continue to prioritize financial aid to our membership in order to protect and reinvigorate our small business community.

We understand that our members are making tough business decisions every day. If your business was financially unable to commit to GSBA membership dues in 2020, we’ve got you covered for the remainder of the year. Any member looking to renew today, we welcome you to RENEW NOW with all dues going toward your 2021 membership.

We also encourage all our membership to explore Ready for Business, GSBA's Small Business Recovery Fund which offers immediate $2,500 cash grants to selected businesses experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donations of any size are welcome. If you would like to support small businesses through the Ready For Business Fund, donations are accepted through our website or by contacting Ilona Lohrey (She/her).
You’ve seen our GSBA Report Card…
Now you give us your grade – click below to access the survey!