GCF Grant Application

Greater Cincinnati Foundation — Boots on the Ground

Pre-loaded with your Biz50Startup founder profile & mission data

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📋 Application Summary (Pre-Loaded)

Project: Biz50Startup: The Living Textbook for Cincinnati Entrepreneurs

Request: $25,000

Applicant: Blair Roland Sharp

Org: BRS Software Solutions LLC / Biz50Startup

Smart Goals:

  • Onboard 50 local Cincinnati founders to the platform by September 2026
  • Establish the 'Youth Entrepreneurship Lab' at Xavier Jesuit Academy for 30 students by Fall 2026
  • Achieve 90% 'Ready to Launch' rate — users complete Tier 1 business credit profile within 90 days
💰 Budget Breakdown — $25,000 Total

Technical Infrastructure

Base44/Stripe integration, AI token credits for 50 founders, Youth-Safe dashboard UI/UX

$10,000

XJA Pilot Program

5 tablets for Entrepreneurship Lab, curriculum materials for 30 students (3rd–8th), seed credit for student micro-businesses

$8,000

Workforce Outreach

Community workshops (Bond Hill/Lockland), training video production, local marketing

$5,000

Administrative / Fiscal

Insurance, fiscal sponsorship oversight fees

$2,000
📄Cover Letter
🎯Problem / Solution Statement
📖Full Project Narrative
💰Budget Narrative
✍️Closing Statement
Submission Checklist
  • Fiscal Sponsor: List your church (partnered with Xavier for XJA) as fiscal sponsor. You'll need their EIN and a letter of intent.
  • Tax Status: As LLCs, apply under your fiscal sponsor's 501(c)(3) status.
  • Board List: Blair Roland Sharp (CEO), your mother (Xavier alumna/advisor), church contact (fiscal oversight), 1 veteran peer or mentor.
  • Portal: gcfdn.org/Foundant — create account if needed, then upload PDFs.
  • Submit by 4:55 PM EST to avoid portal traffic at the 5:00 PM cutoff.