Community Capital

Seattleites hold an estimated $70 billion in long-term savings. Almost none of that is invested locally. Let’s invest more here.

With charitable support from BECU, we launched a resource website to guide local businesses looking for community-based capital. It covers many community-sourced capital topics, offers case studies, local and national resources, and examples of businesses that have used these tools. The site will continue to expand as we learn of more resources and expand this program area.

People's Economy Lab

Building a community-centered economy in Seattle.

The People’s Economy Lab is building a network of leaders and advancing projects that meet local needs by putting people and places first. Our leaders are democratizing finance, real-estate, and work. They are building power in their communities, developing equitable policies, and supporting local businesses. We are creating a community-centered economy in Seattle.

Think Local

Think Local Seattle—Seattle’s original local economy directory—is BACK, reimagined and improved, as Seattle Good!

In 2011, Seattle Good Business Network created Think Local, a three-year campaign that educated the public about the personal, economic and community benefits of thinking local first. Thousands of local residents and hundreds of businesses participated. The campaign included fun photos of residents and local businesses with handwritten signs, over 100 full-page photo displays with our media partners (including The Stranger, Seattle Weekly, Seattle Magazine, Chinook Book and others), Think Local video and materials, an online directory at ThinkLocalSeattle.org, and fun “think local” activities at numerous public events. It was our first program as a new organization — a huge thank you to everyone that helped make it a great hit!

Gift Local Pledge Campaign

During the 2012 holiday season, we launched the Gift Local pledge campaign, where we invited residents to make the pledge to spend with at least three local independent businesses over the holiday.

The campaign was a great success! We connected hundreds of thousands of Seattleites with the Gift Local message, inspired 6,000 to visit the website and over 2,000 to make an online pledge to shop local for the holidays. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, BECU, for making the campaign possible, along with dozens of volunteers, participating businesses and sponsors, half a dozen media partners, and over 40 donors. Click here for a full recap (PDF) of the campaign.

Advantage Local Research

In 2013 and 2014, in partnership with customer insights agency Hemispheres and marketing agency TRAY Creative, Seattle Good Business Network conducted original research into what Seattle residents really think about “buying local.” We then hosted a series of events offering marketing and branding strategies for Seattle’s local, independent businesses, based on the research findings. Click here to request a free copy of the research findings, “What Seattle Really Thinks About Local.”