Technical Resources

African American Home Ownership

The African American Home Ownership program provides HUD-certified housing counseling, resources, and support to first-time homebuyers in Oregon. A first-time homebuyer is classified by HUD as anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years. 

Website: AAHO

AARP

Strengthening resilience in Oregon and Washington for more than two decades – funding thousands of startups and expanding businesses, nonprofits doing good, and hAARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. You don’t need to be an AARP member to use the service: 

Website: AARP

Black United Fund of Oregon

The Emerging Entrepreneur Program (EEP) is a transformative 9-month initiative designed by the Black United Fund of Oregon to equip and empower entrepreneurs. Through this program, participants will develop a robust 5-year business plan, learn to raise capital and create a roadmap for scaling their business and adding jobs to the local economy. The EEP offers personalized attention, specialized expertise, and essential resources to a select cohort of four driven and ambitious entrepreneurs.

Website: Emerging Entrepreneur Program

Business Oregon

Part of the state government, access to capital, loans, loan guarantees, bond guarantees, and some small grants (often requires matching funds). Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID).

Website: Business Oregon
Email: sphan@craft3.org

Columbia Bank (Formerly Umpqua Bank)

Growing and maintaining a business isn’t easy. Umpqua Bank is here for you and your small business needs. Our SBA Express Line of Credit can help you with your short term capital needs, to keep things running smoothly. When you’re ready, one of our small business lending experts will be standing by to help you with the next steps. We are proud to offer SBA loans in addition to our other small business loan options. We will connect you with one of our SBA lending experts to learn about our SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loan programs.

Lending Experts:

Sean Hamilton, Branch Manager
Phone: 503-736-6023
Email: seanhamilton@columbiabank.com

Juan Polanco Palacios, Asst. Branch Manager
Phone: 503-736-2200
Email: juanpolancopalacios@umpquabank.com

Craft3

Strengthening resilience in Oregon and Washington for more than two decades – funding thousands of startups and expanding businesses, nonprofits doing good, and homeowners improving their property.

• 5-step intake link to get started

Stephen Phan, Business Leader/Intake Specialist
Phone: 888-231-2170, ext. 505
Email: sphan@craft3.org

Historic Parkrose

The Historic Parkrose Business Support page offers a comprehensive suite of resources aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs and small businesses within the Parkrose district of Portland. Central to these offerings is the Parkrose Spark Loan Fund, which provides interest- free loans of up to $8,000 to eligible businesses for purposes such as launching or expanding operations, investing in equipment, enhancing marketing efforts, and improving storefronts. Additionally, Historic Parkrose extends technical assistance, including business planning, access to capital, and connections to small business grants.

Website: Historic Parkrose, Business Support

Offers Loans

• Loans can be up to $8,000 and are 0% for the first 24 months and afterward, any remaining balance will be subject to the current Federal Funds interest rate. 
• See The Federal Reserve website for the current rates: https://www.frbdiscountwindow.org.

Impact Beaverton

Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce

Providing free, confidential consultations, and educational workshops for small businesses located in Beaverton.

Website: City of Beaverton, Beaverton Impact

Offers New Business Resources

• One-on-one Consultation on Starting a Business
• Business Resource Directory
• Referrals to local partner businesses
• Partnership information
• Chamber events and networking opportunities guide

Christian Arroyo, Outreach Coordinator/Advisor
Phone: 503-350-2004
Email: christian@beaverton.org

Inclusive Business Resource Network (IBRN)

The Inclusive Business Resource Network (IBRN) is a citywide program that brings multiple services for small businesses and entrepreneurs into a single network. Entrepreneurs can receive one-on-one advising from trusted organizations, training, and other resources. If you are unsure about where to start, schedule an appointment with one of our business advisors to map out a best fit!

Website: Portland Small Business Hub, Resources

Kiva Oregon

Kiva is an international nonprofit crowdfunding platform that believes in character over credit and the power of community-based lending. Through crowdfunding, they’re able to provide funding opportunities for entrepreneurs where conventional lenders won’t. With Kiva, you can receive a loan up to $15,000 with 0% interest and no fees.

Kiva Oregon is a partnership between Kiva, an international nonprofit, and Foundry Collective. Foundry Collective serves as a local Hub of Kiva for rural Oregon communities and is supported by Business Oregon.

When you submit your application, it goes directly to Kiva Oregon’s Capital Access Manager. They will follow up with your application before submission to Kiva, update you on your loan application status, provide additional support, and answer your questions. You’ll be assigned a dedicated manager who will help guide you through the Kiva Loan process and ensure you receive the support and guidance you need to grow your small business successfully.

Website: Kiva Oregon

Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO)

Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) formed as a grassroots initiative in 2005 under the umbrella of The Black United Fund of Oregon to assist small businesses that were experiencing challenges in the wake of gentrification, new development, and increased rents in North/Northeast Portland. Individual Development Accounts (matched savings accounts) are available via MESO in Oregon. Learned more about similar accounts in Washington with the MISA-Washington description on this page.

Website: MESOpdx.org
Phone: Portland Office – 503-841-3351
Beaverton Office – 503-521-7620
Email: info@mesopdx.org

MISA-Washington

The Matched Investment Savings Account (MISA) is for eligible participants enrolled in the Workforce programs housed within WorkSource. The best way to review eligibility and see about available resources would be to attend an upcoming Employment and Training Orientation Session. MISA is connected with the Economic Security of All programs funded by WA state.

Website:MISA-Washington

Nonprofit Association of Oregon (NAO)

Nonprofit membership organization representing and supporting charitable nonprofits of all sizes, geographic locations and missions across Oregon. NAO’s mission is to serve public benefit nonprofits by strengthening the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the lives of all Oregonians. Nonprofits must also be equipped to operate their organizations effectively and efficiently. To help Oregon’s nonprofits thrive, NAO has developed a Nonprofit Resource Library.

Website: Nonprofit Oregon

Office of Small Business Assistance – Oregon.gov

The Oregon Office of Small Business Assistance (OSBA) serves as an independent advocate for small businesses and nonprofits with 100 or fewer employees, helping them navigate interactions with state and local government agencies. OSBA offers free, confidential services that include coaching, assistance, and investigations to address concerns about regulations, licensing, and compliance. Additionally, OSBA provides resources for starting, growing, and closing a business, as well as a Small Business Toolkit featuring guides and flyers in multiple languages.

Website: Oregon.gov, Small Business Pages

Portland Small Business Hub

The Portland Small Business Hub offers free one-on-one, culturally specific resource navigation for local small business owners. It is a collaboration between Prosper Portland and local community partners. Its business advisors help businesses connect to resources such as financial and technical assistance, marketing, and legal support.

Website: Pdx Small Biz Hub

Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon (PACCO)

PACCO is a welcoming and inclusive community organized to promote economic empowerment and resiliency for historically marginalized, economically disadvantaged, underserved and under-resourced communities. We ground our efforts in racial equity and promote entrepreneurism, education, professional growth, civic engagement, and business development by providing scholarships, leadership training programs, technical assistance, and relevant workshops.

Website: PACCO.org
Phone: 503-308-8850
Email: admin@pacco.org

Portland Metro Chamber – Small Business Support Programs

The Portland Metro Chamber’s Small Business Support Programs are designed to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the region. In collaboration with Portland Community College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Chamber offers free, one-hour advising sessions—available both in-person and via Zoom—to assist businesses at any stage of development. Additionally, the Chamber provides a 10-month Small Business Management Scholarship Program, supported by Bank of America, which delivers comprehensive training in areas such as financial management, marketing, and human resources at a significantly reduced cost. These initiatives aim to enhance revenue growth, operational efficiency, and job creation within the local small business community.

Website: Portland Metro Chamber, Small Business Support

Portland Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Business Advisers and Instructors are ready to help your business grow and thrive. You will work with experienced professionals who will help you find the right resources for your business for the long-term.

Website: PCC, Small Business
Email: sbdc@pcc.edu
Phone: 971-722-5080

Business Access Capital – Engaging business clients through specialty advising on accessing capital to foster economic growth and resilience. The Capital Access Team (CAT) are specialized SBDC advisors regionally located around the state that provide confidential business advising.

Website: SBDC Capital Access Team

Prosper Portland – Office of Small Business

The central point of entry for Portland small businesses.

The Office of Small Business at Prosper Portland works in cooperation with the community and other local government agencies to create an equitable, supportive, vibrant, thriving, and connected small business community.

Website: Prosper Portland, Office of Small Business

SCORE

SCORE has a large network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation. No matter what stage your business is at SCORE has a mentor for you. Easily request a mentor to help you start, grow, or transition your business today!

Website: SCORE.org
Phone: 503-326-5211

Self-Employment Assistance in OR or WA

The Oregon Employment Program’s Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program is for people who are receiving unemployment insurance benefits — and are likely to run out of those benefits — and are interested in starting their own business. The SEA program allows you to xntinue receiving benefits without typical work-search requirements and has helped more than 1,500 Oregonians successfully start their own business.

The Washington Self-Employment Assistance program (SEAP) offers self-employment training and business counseling while you collect unemployment benefits. If you are approved you receive business training and do not have to look for work while you’re in training.

Oregon Website: SEA Program
Washington Website:SEAP

Small Business Legal Clinic

Lewis & Clark Law School’s Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC) provides vital legal services to entrepreneurs and equips the next generation of business attorneys with essential legal skills—a mission made possible by the generous support of law firms, foundations, corporations, and individuals.

Website: SBLC
Email: sblc@lclark.edu
Voice: 503-768-6940

Washington State Small Business Liaison Team

The Washington State Small Business Liaison Team (WSSBLT) hosts free, small business development events across Washington state focused on capacity building, resources, and access to contracting opportunities.

These events are open to firms at all stages of growth and are strongly encouraged for small, disadvantaged and emerging businesses. To see a full list of free to attend, visit SBRR. 

The WSSBLT also offers a list of steps to complete to start a new business.

Website:WSSBLT

Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises

State Certification is a program of the State of Washington. The purpose is to enhance business opportunities for certified businesses participating in state-funded projects or working with state agencies, local governments, school districts, and public universities. Projects include any work or product state agencies, or other entities, wish to buy from private companies. This includes a wide variety of different types of businesses, such as construction, consulting, training, translation services, supplies and equipment, and many other industries and services. 

Becoming state certified also makes you eligible to apply for the Linked Deposit Program which can decrease interest rates on small business loans up to 2%. 

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is not required for OMWBE State Certification.

Website:OMWBE