The Inclusive Economy Scholarship is open to locally owned business owners in Whatcom County who identify with underrepresented racial, sexual, ethnic, religious, gender, disability, age, origin, ancestry, or veteran statuses. Locally owned businesses located in a rural area of Whatcom County are also encouraged to apply.

Scholarship Program Includes:

• Complimentary 2-year business membership to Sustainable Connections ($550 value) including all benefits listed below
• An optional 50% discount on business membership for the third year

If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, your business is considered locally owned:

• Is your business privately held?
• Does 50% or more of your ownership live in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, or Island Counties?
• Is your business registered in Washington, and does your corporate or national headquarters lie inside Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, or Island Counties?
• Do you have full autonomy to make independent decisions regarding your unique business and its purchasing, operations, and distribution, as well as the name and look of your business?
• Do you pay for all of your marketing, rent, and other business expenses without assistance from, or payment to, a corporate headquarters?

Submit an Interest Form to Learn More

After submitting a short interest form, we will contact you to learn more about your business!

Thank you to the Boeing Educational Credit Union Foundation for providing financial support for the Inclusive Economy Business Scholarship program.