Bricker Graydon LLP is seeking a vendor partner to design a website for our recently merged firms. The URL for the company’s new website is brickergraydon.com.

Links to both existing websites can be found here:

- https://graydon.law

- https://bricker.com

In addition, Bricker Graydon is also seeking a vendor partner to redesign our affiliate website. The link to INCompliance Consulting can be found here: https://www.incomplianceconsulting.com. 

Click here to download the RFP.

Proposals due by March 3, 2023

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES (unless specified in the description)

Amazon App Store Small Business Accelerator - The Small Business Accelerator Program allows developers that earn less than 1 million USD in total annual revenue in the previous calendar year to access additional benefits up to or equivalent to 20% of Appstore revenue. If eligible, you’ll receive a 10% increased royalty payment and AWS credits equivalent to 10% of your app revenue. - https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games/small-business-program

Amazon AWS Healthcare Accelerator - Virtual four-week technical, business, and mentorship accelerator that will scale high potential startups focusing on the challenge of healthcare burnout, training, retaining, and deploying the healthcare workforce. Earn AWS credits. Apply by 1/8/2023 - https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/AWS-Healthcare-Accelerator

Antler Global Startup Program - Antler is a global early-stage VC that runs multiple programs for business startups around the world. See the website for more info about the program and application dates. - https://www.antler.co/platform/#apply-now

Awesome Foundation - Foundation distributes $1,000 grants, no strings attached, to projects and their creators. At each fully autonomous chapter, the money is pooled together from the coffers of ten or so self-organizing “micro-trustees”.  Awarded monthly - https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en

Outpost Residency - Outpost is a residency for creative writers of color from the United States and Latin America. Each September, two writers are awarded a $2,000 stipend as well as complimentary travel, lodging, and meals to spend a month cultivating a generative writing community in the mountains of Southern Vermont.  Apply by 1/15/23 - https://www.outposttheresidency.org/

RESPOND Accelerator - The RESPOND Accelerator is a 5-month startup accelerator program that systematically advances how entrepreneurs lead, grow and scale sustainable businesses. While the team is based in Munich, most of the accelerator operates online and they work with startups from across the globe.  Apply by 2/6/2023 - https://respond-accelerator.com/apply/

Tech4Eva Fem Tech Accelerator - All start-ups or projects developing innovative solutions to foster women's health are welcome to apply to this program. Apply by 1/31/2023 - https://app.future-of-health.org/public/application/inc/633ae7b367374ccd3db4f4d8

Techstars Accelerators - Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help entrepreneurs succeed. During each three-month program, they surround companies with the best mentors and an unrivaled network of corporate partners, investors, and alumni.  Companies can receive $20K for 6% of company.  Various locations and due dates - https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/

UNITED STATES

Amazon's Black Business Accelerator - Dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers. Grow your business with access to financial support, strategic business guidance and mentorship, and marketing and promotional support. - https://sell.amazon.com/programs/black-business-accelerator

BK-XL Accelerator Program - BK-XL is an early-stage 10-week startup accelerator program for BIPOC founders.  You do not need to be a current New York resident to apply. However, upon acceptance into the BK-XL program, you must be based out of Brooklyn for the duration of the programming.  Investments up to $500,000. Apply by 1/20/2023 - https://visiblehands.smapply.io/prog/bk-xl/?utm_campaign=BKXL_Lightbox&utm_source=bk-xl.com&utm_medium=web

Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund - The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. Apply by 2/14/23 - https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/

Feed The Soul Foundation Grant - Grant to aid marginalized professionals in the culinary industry who identify as Black and Latinx. Applicant must own a culinary business with at least 4 employees. Grants for $10,000.  Apply by 1/31/2023 - https://feedthesoul.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6gPK0ODLAxlJQRE

FemHealth Accelerator Grant - Applicants should be early-stage women-owned companies in the FemHealth space building technology-enabled products and solutions that drastically improve women’s health and wellness.  Grants for $10,000. Apply by 1/27/2023 - https://www.stitchcrew.com/femhealth-accelerator

Freed Fellowship - Every month, one $500 grant is awarded to an underrepresented founder in the US to invest in their existing business. No strings attached. No equity required. Grant recipients are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500. https://www.freedfellowship.com/grant1

Fruit Guys Community Fund Grant - The applicant farm must be an established working farm with at least 1 year of experience that is looking to improve operations. Projects should help small farms and orchards operate more environmentally and economically, as well as strengthen community outreach. Funding up to $5000.  Apply by 1/30/23 - https://fruitguyscommunityfund.org/apply/

Halstead Grant (jewelry) - Halstead Grant is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists. Applicants submit answers to 15 business questions in addition to their design portfolios. The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers. Grant for $7,500. Apply by 5/1/23 - https://grant.halsteadbead.com/

Juntos Crecemos Hispanic Digital & Delivery Program (PepsiCo) - PepsiCo is inviting Latina entrepreneurs who work in food service to apply for eight weeks of personalized expert consultation, including best practices across operations, technology, marketing and digital presence. https://pepsicojuntoscrecemos.com/jefaowned/

Mazuma Small Business Grant - Mazuma will select finalists to feature on their website and social media. They will then open the vote to the public to help decide which finalist wins the $10,000 grand prize. They will also provide a $1,000 prize for two additional business owners. Apply by 1/15/2023 - https://mazumausa.com/contest/

Novae Grants Database - Novae Grants database are intended for small businesses with 6-100 employees, though some are also intended for larger businesses and sole proprietor startups - https://grants.novaegrants.com/

Rev Summer Prototyping Hardware Accelerator - The Rev Summer Prototyping Hardware Accelerator is open to anyone with an idea for a product and a passion for entrepreneurship. The program is free and open to the public, and teams do not need to have a legally-formed LLC to participate. The classic track supports product ideas across all industries, and the AgTech and CleanTech tracks offer startups the chance to work with a like-minded cohort and learn from industry experts.  Stipends from $2000-$10,000 are available.  Apply by 3/31/2023 - https://www.revithaca.com/prototyping-hardware-accelerator/

SPUR (Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach) Pathways - Through an integrated and collaborative approach, Macy’s, Inc. and Momentus will provide access to a range of capital options from microloans to growth capital to equity investments. This represents a commitment to underrepresented businesses and aims to galvanize the retail industry to invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs - https://www.macysinc.com/purpose/spurpathways

Square Black Equity Grant program - This program will provide Black-led platform partners with both financial support as well as increased exposure and visibility. Company must have been founded by or have a current CEO who identifies as Black/African American. Company must be US based and its platform must be publicly launched and have at least 5 customers. Funding up to $15,000 - https://squareup.com/us/en/campaign/black-equity-grant-program

Start Small Think Big is a nonprofit that helps small businesses with high potential and limited access to the resources needed to create thriving businesses. They partner with small business owners, providing personalized business support and building connections with local communities.  If you are interested in being considered as a “client” for free services, you can fill out this form https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute (for English) or https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute-esp (for Spanish)  They also offer free webinars (in Eng and Span).  See this link for their upcoming events: https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/events-for-small-businesses

StitchCrew FemHealth Accelerator - Accelerator is seeking early-stage women-owned companies in the FemHealth space building technology-enabled products and solutions that drastically improve women’s health and wellness. Funding of $10,000.  Apply by 1/27/2023 - https://www.stitchcrew.com/femhealth-accelerator

Truist NonProfit Grant - The Truist Foundation supports nonprofits with grants that target leadership development, economic mobility, thriving communities and educational equity. Quarterly deadlines - https://www.truist.com/purpose/truist-foundation/grant-application

Veterans Business Outreach Center - The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program offers resources to veterans who are interested in starting or growing a small business - https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program

Wish Local Empowerment Program - You must be a Black-owned business with a brick-and-mortar shop within the United States and less than 20 employees. Grants for up to $2000 - https://www.wish.com/local/empowerment

Zen Business - For a limited time, Zen Business is giving every mom in America the ability to start an LLC for free. - https://www.zenbusiness.com/moms/

COAACC members have access to a Pooled Employer Retirement Savings Plan through our membership with SOCA.

Many small business owners wish they could provide employees with access to a retirement plan but are unable to due to concerns about

• Lack of time and expertise
• Cost
• Fiduciary Liability

Thanks to legislation passed in 2019, small to mid-sized employers now can pool together their individual retirement plans to provide this benefits that are similar to the largest companies in our country.

Under the SECURE Act, the most significant retirement legislation, employers can offer a cost affordable retirement plan through a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) arrangement. 

Overview and Advantages of a PEP

In a PEP, employers of all sizes, industries, locations etc. can join together and become a "member employer" through the SOCA Pooled Employer Plan (SOCA PEP). The Newport Group the Pooled Plan Provider (PPP) of the SOCA PEP is responsible for establishment, management, fiduciary oversight and operations of the plan on behalf of the member employers. In the SOCA PEP, member employers can take advantage of:

• Cost Efficiencies - Costs are lower because they spread across a larger participant and asset base, thereby reducing the costs for each member of the plan.
• Fiduciary Risk Mitigation - Fiduciary duties are outsourced to a plan advisor serving as an ERISA 3(38) investment fiduciary. 
• Operational Outsourcing - Newport Group is the Pooled Plan Provider (PPP) and assumes many of the administrative burdens on behalf of the member employers including eligibility, beneficiary tracking and plan disbursements. 
• Increased Focus - Member employers use fewer resources allowing more focus on growing revenues and profits in their business. 

Advantages Include: 

For Member Employers

• 402(a) named fiduciary
• integrated 3(16) administrative fiduciary
• 3(38) advisor support services
• Integrated trust and custody services
• Digital access to all plan functions and information
• Payroll contribution tracking and integration
• integrated non-qualified plans

For Individual Employee Participants

• Full-function participant website and call center
• Spanish website
• Full suite participant education seminars
• Financial wellness program
• Integrated managed account services

Click here to learn more!

MORPC is currently accepting new applications from those who wish to serve on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). CAC provides the opportunity for residents and other interested groups to review and offer comments on many aspects of our transportation system – including recommendations on whether to adopt, modify or reject plans, programs, and projects. Public participation from those who live and work in our community is an important part of the planning process and it’s critical that diverse audiences are represented.

Committee members meet eight times per year, located at MORPC (111 Liberty Street, Suite 100). Meetings take place on Monday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in order to accommodate working professionals.

If you are interested, attached is more information and please see the link below to apply. We encourage you to share the opportunity, if you would like to recommend an individual. The deadline to apply is April 21, at 5:00 p.m.

www.morpc.org/committees/community-advisory-committee/

A new request for proposals (RFP) has been posted to support the Ohio Health Improvement Zones (OHIZ) Pilot Project.  Organizations are invited to submit proposals focused on establishing or expanding place-based initiatives seeking to address social determinants of health and improve healthy behaviors of residents.  The primary goal of this RFP is to increase meaningful community engagement and cross sector collaboration, develop community driven solutions, and create meaningful and lasting change needed to improve health of the community.  

To review the RFP, instructions, and associated deadlines, please visit https://odh.ohio.gov/about-us/funding-opportunities/resources/oi-23-ohio-health-improvement-zones-pilot-project 

Important Date Reminders:  

• Bidders’ Conference— Monday April 4, 2022, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am  
• Notice of Intent to Apply for Funds (Appendix A)—Monday, April 08, 2022, by 4:00 pm  
• ODH GMIS 2.0 Form (Appendix B), if applicable—Monday, April 08, 2022, by 4:00 pm  

• Applications Due—Monday, May 9, 2022, by 4:00pm  

ODH encourages the immediate submission of the Notice of Intent to Apply for Funding.  If you have questions, please contact Lei’Ana Riggs at Leiana.Riggs@odh.ohio.gov.

On June 18, 2022 from 12p-6p, the Columbus Urban League, Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce, Maroon Arts Group, King Arts Complex and the Ohio History Connection will be featuring Black-owned food trucks and vendors in celebration of Juneteenth and economic freedom. Interested in participating? Complete this interest form and we'll be in touch! Selected vendors will have to pay a $25 reservation fee and must agree to vendor rules/ responsibilities to participate.

Apply here.

Franklin County announces $23 million in federal funding for families, child care providers

"As part of the $23 million investment, more than $11.3 million will go to supporting child care providers. That includes up to $3,000 in incentives for providers to accept low-income families and up to $5,000 per year to expand hours."

Read More

Dear Business Leader,

You're invited to an exclusive briefing with Minyon Moore, Nomination Adviser for Engagement, The White House, to discuss confirming Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States. The discussion will be followed by a panel with small business leaders.

Please join us on Friday, March 25th at 1:00 PM ET for this important event.

Click here to register

ABOUT THE SPEAKER Minyon Moore is considered one of the nation’s top strategic thinkers with extensive experience in political and corporate affairs, as well as public policy. She is currently the Nomination Advisor for Engagement for the White House's effort to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Under President Bill Clinton’s administration, Minyon served as Assistant to the President and Director of White House Political Affairs, in this capacity, she served as the principal political adviser to the President, Vice President, First Lady, and senior White House staff, with primary responsibility for planning outreach and directing the political activities of the White House.  A noted speaker and filmmaker, Minyon has lectured at Yale University and Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. About Business Leader Briefing (BLB)   The Business Leader Briefing (BLB) is a series of events from Public Private Strategies Institute which focuses on providing educational resources and connecting business leaders with policymakers, thought leaders, and market influencers. About Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) The Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) is an independent research and education organization. PPSI engages in educational activities concerning the public and private sectors’ roles in advancing societal change. PPSI explores best practices and trends through research, publications, and educational events. Additionally, it produces educational and informational content that will educate public and private sector actors about their capacity to be agents of social change; and conduct research into the existing landscape of public and private social responsibility and the potential for the future. Learn more by visiting www.ppsi.org