In honor of Pride Month, we have outlined some of the best organizations in Seattle supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community, small business owners, and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
1. Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA)
The GSBA is the “largest LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce in North America”. They represent over the 1,300 small businesses, corporate and nonprofit members that share the same values and desire for equality and diversity in workplaces. This nonprofit believes in “small businesses, community, and advocacy investing $3.4 million dollars in scholars, since 1991”. GSBA Scholars are chosen for their proven leadership skills, strong academic achievement, and commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
One of the largest fund-raising efforts the GSBA holds each year is the Equalux Taste of GSBA. Thanks to the generous contributions of the event attendees, the 2017 EQUALUX: TASTE OF GSBA raised a record breaking $950,000. Each contribution was an” investment in the future of the GSBA Scholarship Fund, supporting LGBTQ+ and allied students, and investing in the leaders of both today and tomorrow”.
Take a moment to read about the current GSBA Scholar recipients for 2019.
We love the GSBA and all the good they bring to the LGBTQ+ community and small business owners.
2. Pride Foundation
The Pride Foundation was created in 1985 during the AIDS epidemic, the most difficult time in LGBTQ+ history. They have invested over $74 million in transformative change for the community.
This nonprofit is committed to:
- Harnessing fund-raising, grant-making, program, and advocacy efforts to address root causes of discrimination impacting the LGBTQ community;
- Supporting community leaders and organizations that work to eliminate long-standing barriers to equal access, opportunities, and resources for LGBTQ people; and
- Expanding and deepening the level of engagement among all LGBTQ people and allies, including people who are economically, racially, socially, geographically, or politically disenfranchised.
Embracing the ideal that “we are stronger together,” the Pride Foundation focuses on community impact while sharing an ethos of hope, determination and resilience. Part of the Pride Foundation’s community impact is partnering with local visionaries on initiatives that utilize innovative strategies to strengthen the LGBTQ+ community.
3. Entre Hermanos
Entre Hermanospromote the health and well-being of the Latino Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and questioning community in a culturally appropriate environment through disease prevention, education, support services, advocacy and community building,” they provide invaluable resources to the Seattle.
4. Seattle Counseling Service
Self-care is very important for entrepreneurs to practice with the day in, day out pressures of a owning small business. Seattle Counseling Service is the perfect place to seek out mental health services as they focus on relationships, feelings, coming out, gender identity, medical diagnoses and medications. Substance use disorder services are also available for individual, group and court appointed for recovery. SCS is a fully licensed and certified Washington State Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Other services provided to name a few are “Project NEON a needle and sex education outreach network. Project PEER is a peer-led outreach and non-medical case management program aimed to help high risk acquiring HIV”.
5. Seattle Gay News
As a small business owner, you want to have a pulse on what is going on within the communities you belong to and serve. Stay in the know with Seattle Gay News, “the 3rd oldest Gay & Lesbian newspaper publication in the U.S. The publication provides local, national and international news stories, an arts and entertainment section, and business listings”.
About the author
Kristi Maldonado
Kristi is currently a full time student at Washington State University Global campus. They are entering their senior year majoring in Strategic Communications Degree with a minor in Sociology. They have held the Diversity and Equity chair for WSU Global campus as well for the past two years. Kristi will be the first to graduate in their immediate family! Kristi was born in Austin, Texas and moved to western Washington seventeen years ago. They currently reside in Grays Harbor for the past six years. Kristi is not only a full time student, but a full time activist for change and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. As a dedicated agent for change, they continue to focus on advocating for their LGBTQ community and allies. Kristi has committed themselves to help foster change, tolerance, and acceptance throughout rural areas like the area they currently reside in. Once graduated they look forward to furthering their education at WSU for a Master’s degree in Communications. After that is achieved they look forward to working for a non-profit organization that serves the LGBTQ and allied communities.