Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance

What Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance does

Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance (SIMBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 and headquartered at 25 West Main Avenue in Spokane, Washington. Its mission is to create an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable local business environment in Spokane and Eastern Washington by providing organizing, education, direct support, and advocacy to locally-owned independent businesses and nonprofits. Since 2020 SIMBA has served more than 1,000 unique businesses — nearly 80% of which are BIPOC-, women-, veteran-, LGBTQIA2S+, or immigrant/refugee-owned — through a combination of 1:1 business consultations, group trainings, fiscal sponsorship, advocacy on small-business policy, and community programming.

SIMBA's product surface centers on a tiered membership program (Supporting Business $150-$499, Sustaining Business $500-$999, Sponsoring Business $1,000+, Nonprofit $75+, Student $50, Individual $15+) and a flagship directory/marketplace called Live Local INW (livelocalinw.com), which onboarded 800+ businesses via the 2023 SBIF grant project. Adjacent paid services include registered agent ($50/year), virtual mailing ($15-$20/month), marketing packages ($50/hour), and fiscal sponsorship (processing fees starting at 3%). Distribution runs through self-serve online enrollment, in-person and Zoom consultations, a monthly ROAR newsletter, social channels, and the monthly 'In the Den' podcast produced with Spokast.

Revenue is generated from a hybrid mix of subscription membership fees, fee-based professional services (consultations, registered agent, mailing, marketing), passthrough fiscal sponsorship fees, tax-deductible donations, and grants/donations from regional funders including the Inatai Foundation, Numerica Credit Union, Washington State Department of Commerce, and Avista. Leadership comprises Executive Director Robin Haynes (since November 2023, succeeding founder Mariah McKay), Communications Lead Alexis McLaughlin, Business District Liaison Emily Phelps, and Contract Compliance Manager Dr. Denise Middlebrook, governed by a 7-member Board of Directors.

Name

Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance

Legal name

Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance

Website

https://spokaneindependent.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SIMBA is a Spokane-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit business alliance serving locally-owned independent businesses and nonprofits in Spokane and Eastern Washington. It provides tiered membership, 1:1 consultations, fiscal sponsorship, registered agent, mailing, marketing services, and the Live Local INW directory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Business Support Services

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)

SIC

Services-Business Services, Nec (7389)

akta.pro primary industry

Telemarketing & Telesales Services (Outbound/Inbound) (BPAFAKAC)

Keywords

• Business support services
• Fiscal sponsorship
• Small business advocacy
• Nonprofit alliance
• Local business directory

Headquarters

HQ city

Spokane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from Supporting Business ($150-$499), Sustaining Business ($500-$999), Sponsoring Business ($1,000+), Nonprofit ($75+), Student ($50), and Individual ($15+) tiers. Provides networking, marketing, and business support benefits.
2. Business Consultations: Fee-based 1:1 business consultations at $25 per hour for non-members. Free consultations available for members based on membership level.
3. Registered Agent Services: $50 annually for non-members, with discounts for business members. Includes fraud/scam protection and mail scanning.
4. Virtual Mailing Services: $20/month for non-members, $15/month for supporting/nonprofit/student members, free for sustaining/sponsoring members.
5. Marketing Services: $50/hour plus applicable sales tax for non-members. Social Media Momentum Package estimated at $250-350. Discounted rates for members.
6. Fiscal Sponsorship: Processing fees starting as low as 3% for emerging nonprofits and for-profit businesses to access grant funding and donations through SIMBA's 501(c)(3) status.
7. Grants and Funders: Funding from foundations including Inatai Foundation, Numerica Credit Union, Washington State Department of Commerce, and others. Also receives donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
8. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses supporting SIMBA's mission. Monthly giving options available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SIMBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit business alliance that supports independent businesses and nonprofits in Spokane and Eastern Washington through tiered membership programs, 1:1 business consultations, registered agent services, virtual mailing services, marketing packages, and fiscal sponsorship. The organization operates the Live Local INW directory and marketplace platform to connect local businesses with consumers, and produces the monthly 'In the Den' podcast in partnership with Spokast.

Product overview

SIMBA operates as a nonprofit business support organization with a platform-plus-services model. The core platform is Live Local INW, a free directory and marketplace connecting local businesses with consumers. SIMBA offers related services including business consultations, registered agent services, virtual mailing services, marketing packages, and fiscal sponsorship. Membership programs provide tiered access to benefits. The organization also produces the 'In the Den' podcast in partnership with Spokast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Live Local INW: SIMBA's flagship program and marketplace directory that helps local and independent businesses in Eastern Washington gain visibility and connect with consumers. It is a free directory and marketplace platform.

Products and services

• Live Local INW Flagship directory and marketplace connecting local businesses with consumers in Spokane and Eastern Washington. Free platform for businesses and consumers; premium listings available for Sustaining and Sponsoring SIMBA members.
• Membership Programs Tiered annual/monthly memberships including Supporting Business ($150-499/year), Sustaining Business ($500-999/year), Sponsoring Business ($1,000+/year), Nonprofit ($75+/year), Student ($50/year), and Individual ($15+/year) tiers with varying benefits such as consultations, marketing, registered agent, mailing services, and directory listing.
• 1:1 Business Consultations One-on-one business support and group trainings covering topics from startup to growth, including licensing, financing, marketing, social media, contracts, and bookkeeping. Free for SIMBA members based on tier; $25/hour for non-members.
• Registered Agent Services Professional registered agent services for Eastern Washington business owners including address protection, timely filing reminders, fraud and scam protection, and official mail scanning. $50/year for non-members; free for Sustaining and Sponsoring members.
• Virtual Mailing Services Business mailing address service allowing businesses to use SIMBA's address for mail delivery with scanning and spam filtering. $20/month for non-members, $15/month for supporting/nonprofit/student members, free for sustaining/sponsoring members.
• Marketing Services Marketing and media starter packages including the Social Media Momentum Package with Canva templates, content calendars, and training sessions. $50/hour for non-members with 50% off for supporting members and free for sustaining/sponsoring members.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Provides emerging nonprofits and for-profit businesses access to grant funding and tax-deductible donations through SIMBA's 501(c)(3) status. Processing fees start as low as 3%.
• In the Den Podcast SIMBA's monthly podcast produced in partnership with Spokast, showcasing Sustaining and Sponsoring SIMBA members with behind-the-scenes business stories. New episodes released the first Wednesday of each month on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 1000+ unique businesses since 2020
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SpokastcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpokast is a podcast and studio in Spokane, WA that produces SIMBA's monthly podcast 'In the Den' showcasing Sustaining and Sponsoring members. Partnership amplifies local voices and provides marketing exposure for SIMBA members through community-focused podcasts.
• Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBRN is a Washington State Department of Commerce initiative. SIMBA partners with SBRN to deliver business support services and co-host workshops such as Accident Prevention Program and Know Your Commercial Lease events.
• StartUp SpokanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with StartUp Spokane for workshop delivery including Smart Tech Systems, Know Your Commercial Lease, and other business development events. Both organizations serve Eastern Washington entrepreneurs.
• Inland Cooperative ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost for Employee Ownership Community Spaces events with Washington Center for Employee Ownership (WACEO). Supports SIMBA's mission of building cooperative economy in Eastern Washington.
• Washington Department of Labor & IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL&I partners with SIMBA for Accident Prevention Program workshops and business compliance education. David Jeary from L&I leads workshops on workplace safety requirements for Washington businesses.
• Electric PhotolandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSIMBA member and event sponsor. Provides photo booth services at SIMBA events including Circus fundraiser. Featured as Sponsoring member in newsletter.
• Odyssey Youth MovementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSIMBA member nonprofit hosting Pride in Perry. SIMBA is repeat sponsor and hosts Live Local INW Market at Pride in Perry event.
• Washington Center for Employee Ownership (WACEO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuarterly Employee Ownership Community Spaces series hosted by SIMBA and WACEO. Promotes cooperative and employee-owned business models in Eastern Washington.
• I AM AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost for Aligned Business Series workshops including 'The Honest Look', 'Defining the WHY', 'Leading With Integrity'. Co-creates leadership and business sustainability programming with SIMBA.
• Lejit CreativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoshua Thomas, SIMBA board member, owns Lejit Creative branding agency. Hosts design workshops including 'Small Business Design Audit' and provides member benefits.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Independent We Stand: National movement supporting independently owned businesses; shares SIMBA's focus on educating consumers and small businesses about the value of buying local. Operates as a peer awareness/marketing campaign organization.
• American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA): National nonprofit that helps communities form and run independent business alliances (similar to SIMBA's local chapter model). Directly comparable mission of supporting independent, locally-owned businesses.
• Local First Arizona: Regional independent business alliance promoting locally owned businesses in Arizona through a member directory, events, and advocacy. Operates an analogous 'shop local' marketplace and business support model.

Broad incumbents

• Main Street America: National nonprofit focused on commercial district revitalization and supporting small, independent businesses in older town centers. Comparable mission in supporting local economic ecosystems, though operating at broader scale.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): Federally funded network providing free business consulting and training to entrepreneurs. Closely comparable service offering to SIMBA's consultation and business support programs, with broader geographic reach and federal funding.
• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free business mentoring, workshops, and resources to small businesses. Overlaps with SIMBA's 1:1 consultation, training, and business education services at a much larger scale.
• Edward Lowe Foundation: National nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship and second-stage business growth through research, programs, and Bigg Insights platform. Comparable in serving small business development mission, though at the established/second-stage tier.

Regional players

• StartUp Spokane: Regional organization supporting entrepreneurs and startups in Spokane with events, workshops, and partnerships. Directly comparable as both a peer organization and existing SIMBA partner serving the same regional founder community.
• Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber serving Spokane-area businesses with networking, advocacy, and member services. Overlaps with SIMBA's membership and business support mission in the same geography but serves a broader business demographic.

Others

• Numerica Credit Union: Regional credit union and current SIMBA funder/partner providing financial services to businesses in Eastern Washington. Comparable as a regional financial-services ecosystem player and existing strategic partner, not a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@simba-spokane
• Facebookfacebook.com/spokaneindependent
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spokaneindependent

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance