At Business Impact NW, we recognize that Hispanic entrepreneurs are a driving force in our communities. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to go beyond celebration and offer practical resources to help you start and grow your business.
That’s why we turned to our own Business Impact NW business advisors and lending officers to share the programs and services they regularly recommend to Hispanic and Spanish-speaking clients in Alaska, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
This week, we are focusing on funding opportunities and business training programs. Next week, we will spotlight mentorship, networking, and other community support resources!
Funding & Financial Assistance
Funding is only part of the journey. These organizations provide workshops, coaching, and training in Spanish to help you gain skills and grow your business:
Cook Inlet Lending Center (Alaska). Native (CDFI) Providing access to affordable small business loans to entrepreneurs from underserved backgrounds. Spanish interpreters available on request.
MoFi – Montana Community Development Corporation (Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Oregon). Regional CDFI offering tailored business loans and free advisory services, available in Spanish, for economically underserved entrepreneurs.
MESO – Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (Oregon & SW Washington). Local nonprofit CDFI offering small business loans up to $250,000 and credit-builder loans, with Spanish-language support and resources.
Ventures Nonprofit (Washington). Seattle-based nonprofit that provides services to aspiring entrepreneurs. Resources include business coaching, training, and microloans designed for early-stage entrepreneurs.
In addition to funding, the following organizations focus on education and coaching, giving business owners the skills they need to succeed.
Nonprofit & Community Organizations
Adelante Mujeres (Washington County, Oregon). Nonprofit providing small business advising, training, and access to markets to Latina/o entrepreneurs. They specialize in supporting low-income Latine micro-business owners who require services in Spanish.
Anchorage Land Trust (Anchorage, AK). Nonprofit organization that works with residents and business owners in economically vulnerable geographies to improve quality of life in their communities. Set Up Shop is their flagship program to support local entrepreneurs. Spanish-language promo videos available.
Centro Cultural (Washington County, Oregon). Centro is a local nonprofit and Prosperidad is it’s economic development branch. It offers job training, business development education, and personalized support to aspiring Latin entrepreneurs. Services are available in Spanish.
Hacienda CDC – Community Development Corporation (Portland, OR). Nonprofit providing services for Latin small businesses, with a focus in the food industry, through their Mercado Empresarios program and Commissary Kitchen initiatives.
LatinoBuilt (Oregon & SW Washington). Nonprofit trade association for Latino business owners in the construction industry offering bilingual services. Resources include business support, pre-apprenticeship, and construction certification. As a trade association, serves creating networking and mentorship opportunities.
Latino Civic Alliance (Washington). Nonprofit dedicated to serving Latino small businesses. Offers the PRIMERO Program, providing no-cost technical assistance with experts in banking, lending, and small business development, and Spanish speaking business consultants.
Latino Community Fund (Washington). Nonprofit supporting Latino leaders, businesses, and community. Provides bilingual business education, marketing support, and technical assistance to immigrant microenterprises and small businesses.
Livelihood NW (Oregon & SW Washington). Nonprofit organization that offers free and low-cost business advising, workshops, cohort-based training, bookkeeping workshops, and other resources to small business owners in Spanish.
RDI – Rural Development Initiatives (Idaho, Oregon, & Washington). Delivers the Pasos al Éxito Program, a business training for new and aspiring entrepreneurs, in Spanish. Their focus is childcare and food businesses, across rural areas.
SBA Learning Center (En Español). The U.S. Small Business Administration offers a wide range of business training modules in Spanish. Covers essential topics like business planning, marketing, and financing.
Ventures Nonprofit (Washington). Seattle-based nonprofit that provides Spanish-language classes, mentorship, business development services, and access to microloans to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Next Steps
Overall, these programs are a strong starting point, and you don’t have to sort through them on your own. Our advisors can help you figure out which resources fit your goals and how to put them to work for your business. Book a Coaching Session.
About the author
(ka-ro-lee-na goos-mahn)
Carolina is the Vice President of External Affairs at Business Impact NW, where she oversees marketing, communications, and development efforts, promoting the organization’s brand, reputation, and core mission. Fluent in English and Spanish, she leads a team focused on creating strategic marketing campaigns, establishing partnerships, and securing support for small business communities across the Pacific Northwest. Carolina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master of Finance, and she brings over two decades of experience in marketing, finance, and strategic planning across various industries.