Business Community Ownership Fund
The City of Seattle’s BCO Fund helps small businesses—especially those from marginalized groups—gain shared ownership of commercial real estate to secure affordable rents and promote community wealth-building.
Funder: City of Seattle
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted any time)
Funding Amounts: Not specified; funding is project-based and involves investment in commercial real estate via LLCs.
Summary: Supports Seattle small businesses—especially those owned by people of color, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals—through shared ownership of commercial real estate to secure affordable rents and long-term stability.
Key Information: Priority is given to businesses at high risk of displacement and those providing measurable community benefits.
Description
The Business Community Ownership Fund (BCO Fund) is an innovative initiative by the City of Seattle designed to help small business owners, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, gain shared ownership of commercial real estate. The program aims to address the rising costs of commercial rent, which disproportionately impact neighborhoods and businesses owned by people of color, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. By investing in commercial properties through LLCs, the BCO Fund enables multiple business owners to become co-owners, providing them with more control over their future, stable occupancy costs, and access to a supportive peer community. The Fund seeks to keep existing businesses rooted in their neighborhoods, facilitate the return of displaced businesses, and foster economic independence and community wealth-building.
