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2027 Small Business Management Program Scholarship Application

The Portland Metro Chamber in partnership with Portland Community College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers an amazing program to help small businesses like yours level up!

We are now accepting applications for our 2027 program, which includes a 10-month training course from February-November 2027 and is designed to help new and/or experienced business owners increase revenue, improve operations, hire talented employees and more.
To reduce financial barriers, the Chamber—thanks to generous support from Bank of America—offers scholarships for 15 small businesses to participate at a reduced cost. Scholarship recipients pay a program fee of $500 (substantially less than the full cost). In addition, each program participant will receive a two year, complimentary membership to the Portland Metro Chamber.

What you’ll gain in the monthly classes:
  • Practical training in sourcing capital and financing
  • Tools for effective marketing and financial management
  • Strategies for hiring and retaining employees
  • Guidance on exploring new business opportunities
We encourage applications from a wide range of businesses, including those that are:
  • Selling (or preparing to sell) products or services beyond the Portland region
  • In business for 3+ years
  • Employing at least one full-time staff member
  • Seeking ways to grow and expand
Applications are open to all. We welcome applications from all businesses, with particular encouragement for businesses led by women, people of color, LGBTQIA2S+ people, immigrants, and others from historically underrepresented and underserved communities.

Applications are open until October 31, 2026

More information can be found here

Questions? Contact becca@portlandmetrochamber.com
1.Please provide your contact information(Required.)
2.Please provide business information(Required.)
3.Entity Type(Required.)
4.Is your organization owned by one or more individuals from the following groups? (Select all that apply.)
5.Annual Sales(Required.)
6.Number of Employees(Required.)
7.Do you prepare and use monthly financial statements?
8.Does your business have a current business plan or a strategic plan?
9.Does your business have an employee handbook, job description, and a performance management system?
10.Do you have a marketing plan with a marketing budget?
11.Do you have documented operating procedures?
12.Do you have outside funding? 
13.Have you developed an exit strategy?
14.ESSAY QUESTION: Please describe, in 500 words or less, the challenge(s) your company currently faces *
DISCLAIMER
By applying for this program, I agree that the Portland Metro Chamber, its employees and agents have the right to photograph, video and record me throughout the course and use my photographed, video and/or recorded name, likeness, voice, and statements to promote the Portland Metro Chamber, including without limitation, a derivative use, without compensation to me, at the sole discretion of the Chamber and I release the Portland Metro Chamber, its agents, affiliates, and licensees from all liability connected to their use of my name, likeness, voice or statements including, without limitation, any right of privacy or publicity claims.

The information contained in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.