Help West Bank Business Association build capacity

December 20, 2019

Friends,

I’m writing today to ask for your help. 

200+ West Bank businesses and their staff operate with thin margins in an increasingly demanding economy. To help prevent their displacement, the West Bank Business Association supports them with services to increase their sales, increase their audiences, and boost their brands. 

In 2019 alone, we provided hundreds hours of technical assistance - directly helping them with websites, tax prep, licensing assistance, branding, marketing, new websites, storefront improvements and more. Our services are in such demand that we now have a waiting list!

Please consider helping the West Bank Business Association increase our capacity to do this work in 2020 and beyond.

We have some needs so we can continue to fill this increasing demand, and do it well. 

1. We need a secure server for our clients to send us their documents.
2. We need a CRM (Customer relations management) software with a project tracking function. 

Right now, we’re using spreadsheets for tracking and paper documentation to maintain security. I love a good spreadsheet and locking cabinet, but we simply need better tools for the program to run effectively and safely for our West Bank business clients.

We don’t typically do a year-end appeal, but we have a very specific need this year, and we’re asking for some help. Building capacity will allow us to serve more West Bank businesses and to help them more effectively. Less time will be spent on project tracking, and more time spent on the actual projects.  

West Bank Businesses, please help us help you. 

You can make a donation online directly at our website: http://www.wbba.thewestbank.org/contact/ 

or here on  GiveMN.

We look forward to plans for 2020 which include improved storefronts on Cedar Ave, another round of Facade Grant funding, clean-ups and, of course, more technical assistance for our great businesses! 

I hope you’ll join us.

                Sincerely,

                Jamie Schumacher

                Executive Director