Membership at MBA

Member Benefits

Connections

We connect businesses across Midway and introduce you to contacts all over the city of Portland.

  • Monthly mixers to meet and get to know the other businesses in your area.
    • Hosted at local businesses– let us know if you’d like to host!
    • Featured guests from the City of Portland & community organizations.
    • MBA members can present projects, offer services, and advertise events.
  • City-wide network
    • MBA is a member of Venture Portland, an organization that connects PDX business districts. They also support us with several grants, a Manager to assist the Board  projects, events, and social media.
    • Access events, grants & other opportunities across the city.
    • Talk to us and we will connect you with businesses & organizations that fit your needs! We will also help you to connect with a most appropriate City departments that can assist your business with most issues.

Promotion

  • Social media
    • We’re happy to boost your page, advertise your specials, and promote your business!
    • Webinars & resources on how to get the most out of social media.
    • Schedule time with our District Manager for help setting up social media
    • Website Listing on our Site
      • All members get a business listing in our business directory
      • Starting at the Standard level, you get a full business profile page on midwaybusiness.org! Personalize your page with contact info, photos, website link, special sales, and more.
  • Events
    • Have your product and name featured at an MBA event
    • Participate in gift card giveaway!
    • Host a monthly mixer

Resources

  • Grants
    • MBA applies for grants and invests that money in the business district.
    • We share grant opportunities with you.
  • District Manager for Midway Business District
    • Our District Manager, Laura Martinez joined us as a full-time staff member in 2023. Laura provides the coordination and organization to the MBA board for numerous projects such as: organizing events, writing grants, attending community and PDX City meetings, and visits our businesses frequently.
  • Advocacy
    • We represent you to city leaders and work with other organizations to solve problems in Midway.
  • Cleanup
    • If you have issues with vandalism, trash, and related problems, let us know. We are working with the city’s new PEMO office (Public Environment Management Office) to help clean up and make sure it stays clean!

Midway Identity

We want to uplift local communities and help create an identity as a district. Signature events, branding, and projects like our Midway Mural help bring customers into the district and benefit the people who live and work here!

  • Events
    • Be part of our “district tours” that feature local businesses and introduce new customers.
    • We support the annual Festival of Nations produced by the Division Midway Alliance and the summer event produced by Arte Soleil and Free Arts NW and monthly Community events– let us know how we can help with your event!
  • Community Arts
    • Our mural, ‘The Leaders of East Portland”, painted by local artist Alex Chiu, honors Midway women leaders, was commissioned by the MBA and funded by grants by Venture Portland, PDX Events Action Table, Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It is located at Powell Blvd at SE 122nd.
    • Makers and artists are welcome to collaborate on our monthly art & food tours.
    • Resources for artists: jobs, grants, & opportunities across the city.
    • One of our missions is to “Lighten up Midway” with assisting our local artists, assisting businesses with store front projects and more.

Join our Board! Open to all members!

  • Make your voice heard: We meet at monthly board meetings to strategize, come up with fun ideas, plan events, and raise concerns to be solved.
  • If you join the Board, you will provide at least 2-4 hours a month for the Board and other meetings.
  • Use your skills: Participate in projects that interest you! Everyone’s expertise is appreciated.
  • Friendly & welcoming! We support each other and work together.
  • Assist us with grant writing that helps us with all of our creative projects.
  • The Board Officers include: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and 2-4 basic Board members, all who participate in creative ideas, grant writing, planning membership meetings and events.

 

2024 Membership Levels

Free 1 year membership – Basic Member – Basic listing

  • This basic membership gains you access to our resources and priority over non-members for event hosting, features, and promotions.
  • Your name, business, and industry will be listed in our Basic Midway directory. Our listings allow customers to quickly find businesses in the Midway area.
  • Note:  place fill out the membership application but do not to to payment section for this level.

 

Standard– Small business or Nonprofit ($75/year)

  • This tier is for businesses with up to 3 employees (not including the business owner) and nonprofit organizations.
  • You receive full benefits as outlined in Membership Benefits.
  • Full listing of your business with photos to give you a profile and link to your website and social media.
  • A presence on our News section of your business events and special projects as submitted.

Standard– Larger Business ($100/year)

  • This tier is for businesses with more than 3 employees (not including the business owner).
  • The Standard tier unlocks a full profile business listing on our website. A professional website can be expensive and difficult to maintain, so let us host you! Personalize your page with contact info, photos, special sales, social media links, and more.
  • Plus, we will launch a feature story about your business when you join! Articles are posted on our website, social media, and community newsletter.

Community Investor ($150+/year)

  • This tier is for businesses and community members who want to invest in the continued growth and success of Midway’s business community. Any business, organization, or Midway resident may apply for this tier.
  • Community Investors will gain a full listing and be featured on the front page of our website with special acknowledgement for your contribution.
  • We will launch a special feature story about your business when you join, highlighting your investment in Midway. Articles are posted on our website, social media, and community newsletter.
  • Plus, we’ll send you a special gratitude gift of treats from local businesses for your employees!

Some membership benefits are funded by focused grants from Venture Portland. Your membership continues to support us in other ways.

In order to sign up to become a member, please fill out our application. We accept Credit Card payments by emailing us at midwayba@gmail.com or you can mail a check to: Midway Business Association 11918 SE Division St., #352, Portland, OR 97266. For further questions please email us at midwayba@gmail.com.

Membership Fees