Downtown Windsor BIA Launches Crowdfunding Initiative to Support Downtown Businesses

While Windsor-Essex, like the rest of the province, prepares for the reopening of the economy, the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) has launched a new donation campaign allowing community members to support their favourite downtown businesses.

Designed to assist small business in the core impacted by the pandemic, the DWBIA is implementing a donation platform on its website. By simply visiting the DWBIA’s website, patrons can search and select local businesses that have been impacted by the non-essential closure rule.

The site also provides an overview of the program, addresses frequently asked questions, enables members to register, and lists all those businesses that are participating.

“This is an effort to support downtown businesses, many of which have been the heart and soul of the core. The money collected can be used for costs like payroll and rent, and may help see them through this crisis.” – Brian Yeomans, DWBIA Chair

Although the federal government created a loan program offering government-backed loans and wage subsidies, not all businesses qualify – many small businesses do not have a minimum payroll of $50,000, which is a requirement. Many have few, if any, staff, or are self-employed proprietors.

All proceeds from the crowdfunding initiative go directly to the selected business, while the DWBIA will absorb all of the fees associated to the crowdfunding platform.

View a list of participants here.