Community Involvement
Here at Enterprise for Equity, we firmly believe in taking an active role in the communities we serve. Below is a list of some of the community organizations we are involved in:
Asset Building Coalition of Mason County-Working Families Tax Credit
ABCMC is partnering with the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Washington State Department of Revenue to spread the word about the new Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) available to people living in Washington state! Starting in 2023, the Working Families Tax Credit is a new tax refund that helps Washington workers and their families get more money back at tax time.
Check out ABCMC’s WFTC page!
The City of Olympia-The Creative District
The Creative District is a 30-block area of downtown Olympia that is home to over 150 creative enterprises such as theaters, galleries, breweries, and industrial designers. Together they form energetic hubs for creative connection and reflect Olympia’s unique character. Enterprise for Equity staff participates on the Advisory Committee.
Check out their website!
Create Western Washington
Create Western Washington is a project funded by the City of Olympia and others in partnership with Enterprise for Equity with the purpose of helping our communities easily find and purchase from local creatives, businesses that sell local products in their stores and the suppliers where these makers purchase their raw and recycled materials. Enterprise for Equity created and developed this resource, recruits regional creators/makers to establish a presence on this website, and is responsible for promoting this to the community of shoppers!
Check out their website!
Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC)
FVC cultivates a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and develops viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. They believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems. They believe that agriculture offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits. Enterprise for Equity staff participate in the monthly regional FVC meetings. Enterprise for Equity was involved in the planning of our Washington chapter and has participated on the Board of Directors.
Check out their website or Facebook page!
Orting Veterans Farm
The Orting Veterans Farm is situated on the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs' Soldiers Home campus in the Orting Valley. This is a place where veterans can lease fertile farmland, connect with and learn from other veteran farmers, attend training and workshops, and volunteer to grow food for the community. They have an onsite farm manager that guides and supports veterans in creating and attaining their agricultural goals. Thanks to the support and funding from a grant from the USDA, Enterprise for Equity was pivotal in getting the Orting Farm a large cooler for pre-market produce storage and is providing business training, technical assistance and financing support to veterans who want to turn their agricultural efforts into income-earning businesses.
Check out their website!
Prosperity Now
At Prosperity Now, they are working daily to transform current systems, practices and policies in service of an economy that works for everyone. Their mission is to build an economy that is just, fair and free from structural racism, where every person, family and community has the power to build sustainable wealth and prosperity. Enterprise for Equity staff is part of a nation-wide workgroup to establish efforts and practices aimed at reducing the race wealth equity gap.
Check out their website!
South Sound Food System Network
South Sound Food Network is a collaboration of several partners including the Thurston Conservation District, GRuB, Enterprise for Equity, Haki Farmers Collective, Northwest Ag Business Center, South Sound Food Bank, local farmers, economic development partners, academic institutions and many others to build community and connections that support farmers and food-based enterprises throughout the south sound region. Partners meet monthly, host speakers quarterly and collaborate on inspiring and community driven projects.
Check out their website!
South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA)
In 1976, Tribal leaders from the South Puget Sound region had the remarkable vision to join together to create SPIPA (South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency). The original mission of SPIPA, as set forth by the founders: Mel Youckton (Chehalis), Zelma McCloud (Nisqually), Bill Smith (Skokomish), and Cal Peters (Squaxin Island, 1927-2011) was to “Study, prepare, and recommend comprehensive Tribal plans; to aid in providing financial and technical assistance to participating Tribal communities; and to otherwise assist in such planning and development as may seem appropriate to promote the general welfare of participating Tribes.”
Enterprise for Equity is honored to be working with SPIPA (South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency) as the training partner within their Native Entrepreneur Academy (NEA).
To learn more about the NEA and explore becoming a SPIPA client, please visit this page: https://spipa.org/academy/ and contact: WFDprograms@spipa.org
Washington Innovation Network
The Washington Innovation Network brings together conservation partners, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, economic development partners and others along the Washington coast to support indigenous led and other natural climate solutions that sustain families, communities, ecosystems and local economies along the Washington coast.
Want to learn more about our community engagement? Interested in becoming one of our community partners? Attend a Community Partner Information Session! Email office@enterpriseforequity.org to find out about our upcoming sessions.
Nonprofit Conversations
Enterprise for Equity has been working in collaboration with local leaders to raise awareness and engage in conversations with nonprofit organizations, public officials and community advocates and to align with Racial Justice and a local race equity focused policy agenda as highlighted in this letter. Feel free to reach out anytime to engage in conversations about this work.