Special Initiatives

The WESST RISE Campaign

As COVID-19 pervades communities across New Mexico, local small businesses have been hit hard and fast. Our clients across all sectors are feeling the repercussions as they rapidly shift how they serve their customers in response to this pandemic. In this chaotic time filled with uncertainty, small businesses are bracing themselves for painful long-term impacts.

Individuals across our community are wondering how they can support small businesses so they aren’t forced to shut their doors.

The Silver Soiree

WESST’s annual signature event that celebrates entrepreneurship. Each year, the proceeds from the event are earmarked for a special aspect of WESST’s work. Save the date, September 11, 2020 for WESST’s 30th Anniversary Silver Soiree.  More details coming soon.

Visionaries Circle

Contributors to the Visionaries Circle make a multi-year commitment to WESST which supports sustainability for future WESST programs and services. Click here for further information and benefits of being a WESST Visionary.

Naming Opportunities

Home to WESST’s nationally recognized business incubation program as well as WESST’s corporate headquarters, the WESST Enterprise Center offers a range of naming and commemorative options.

Memorial Gifts

Gifts to The Doug Lee Entrepreneurship Fund will support emerging and established New Mexican businesses.  As the first Managing Director of the WESST Enterprise Center, Doug was the driving force behind the impressive growth of the WEC, cited in 2010 by CNNmoney.com as one of the seven hottest incubators in the U.S. The entire WESST family was devastated by his sudden passing in 2012.

The Jacki P. Riggs Scholarship Fund commemorates the many contributions Dr. Riggs made to women’s economic empowerment. A former Chair and member of WESST’s Board of Directors, she was instrumental in helping WESST raise millions of dollars for the construction of the WESST Enterprise Center. All contributions to this fund will provide training and consulting scholarships for low-income female entrepreneurs.

In-Kind Donations

Each year, WESST receives a significant amount of in-kind donations which help us keep our operating costs down and enable us to leverage additional funding by utilizing the value of the in-kind donation as matching funds. Contributions range from office equipment, supplies and furniture to discounts on professional services to the value of contributed volunteer time.