Business and Legal Toolkit

for Returning Citizens

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR RETURNING CITIZENS|
The Landscape for Returning Citizens?
Why is Returning Citizen Entrepreneurship Critical?

Surround Yourself with Inspiration: Readings and Podcasts
STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN TEN STEPS
CREATING YOUR ONE-PAGE BUSINESS PLAN

FINDING THE RIGHT FINANCING FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Primary Options for Returning Citizens

Additional Options for Returning Citizens
TAX CHECKLISTS FOR NEW AND EXISTING BUSINESSES

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
General Resources
Educational Resources
General Legal and Regulatory Assistance for Small Businesses in the D.C. Area
General Business Resources

Other Useful Resources

ENDNOTES

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INTRODUCTION

This Business & Legal Toolkit for Returning Citizen Entrepreneurs is part of a multi-year action
research project of the GW Law School Small Business & Community Economic Development Clinic
(Clinic). The Clinic provides free legal services to carefully selected small and microbusinesses, non-
profit organizations, artists, and social entrepreneurs

Studentattorneys, enrolledin the clinic for academic eredit, help clients with a broad range of legalissucs
such as creating corporations and limited liability companies, getting business licenses and permits,
writing and reviewing contracts, and helping with tax, copyright and trademark matters. Applicants
must have a written business plan or business canvas map prior to applying for free legal help. This
Toolkit aims to inspire, cducate, and empower returning citizens to leverage their entreprencurial gifts

“This Toolkit, designed to be a basic resource for returning citizen entreprencurs and aspiring entrepre-
neurs, begins with inspiring storics of local successful returning citizen entrepreneurs who leveraged
resources to launch their own enterpriscs. These citizens have turned their passions, skills, hobbics
and concern for social ssues into community-based businesses. It lists and describes organizations that
support returning citizen entreprencurs. Finally, it provides general information about being an entre-
preneur—including business, tax, legal and other resources. By providing the right resources, support,
and some inspiring readings, we hope to help the next wave of returning citizen entreprencurs to turn
their deas into action.

SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
FOR RETURNING CITIZENS

The Landscape for Returning Citizens?

The general public may not always be aware that D.C. has so many returning citizens. The D.C.
Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs estimates that at least 8,000 return home cach year.>
The D.C. Code defines returning citizens as “persons who are residents of the District who were
previously incarcerated,” a terminology, designed to be non-stigmatizing in the aftermath of punish-
ments and debts paid to society A vibrant entreprencurial ecosystem embraces the need for returning
citizens to integrate into their communities, get on with their lives, and become productive members
of society

The world that returning citizens confront, however, is besieged by a rapidly changing economy; low
wage jobs, high rates of joblessness, a decline in middle class jobs, limited opportunitics for cconomic
mobility,* and the rise of automation and technology. The businesses that once offered decent paying
jobs and an opportunity for mobility’ for people with limited skills have largely moved overscas, and
a significant share of new jobs created in recent years offer extremely low wages, no benefits and lttle
opportunity for upward mobility*

While full-time gainful employment is still the aim for returning citizens, in this cconomic environ-
ment, those who previously shunned the idea of starting a business in favor of the safer route of gettinga
job might view entreprencurship in a whole new light. The term “necessity entrepreneurship” has been

3| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
used to describe this form of self-cmployment where entreprencurship is an essential option and often
the most expedient way to carn a living.

Why is Returning Citizen Entrepreneurship Critical?

On the national landscape, the US. Department of Justice made history in October 2015 by announcing
the largest discharge of inmates from federal prisons in America. Prompted by an effort to reduce prison
overcrowding and provide much needed relief to drug offenders who have been incarcerated over the
past four decades, the government released thousands of individuals from federal prisons across the
United States.” Among them are D.C. residents made up of men and women from various backgrounds
who deserve a second chance at life.

Concerns about the over-incarceration of black and brown men and women and the American prison
state are well documented. Sixty thousand people in the nation's capital, or 10 percent of D,
dents, have criminal records, and each year more than 8,000 individuals return to D.C. from penal insti-
tutions * The largest percentage of returning citizens is African-American men twenty-one to thirty
years of age. An October 2014 D.C. Department of Corrections report found that 37 percent of young
men in custody had no education, high school diploma, or GED.

area resi-

Entreprencurship requires hard work, drive, and determination. Returning citizen entrepreneurs have
been successful when turning their legal skills or talents into businesses.

Businesses Started by D.C. Area Returning Citizens
CLEAN DECISIONS®

Clean Decisions, a commercial restaurant cleaning service gives returning citizens the chance to work,
grow,and leave with a plan for success. It offers them jobs, a way to build their resumes, and their carcers.
The program is unique in that returning citizens hired by the company are not expected to stay with it
because the business model rests on the idea of cycling returning citizens in, teaching them practical
skills, and cycling them out with better prospects than when they arrived.

Byhiringa diligent and dependable work force from the returning citizens’ community, the company has
acquired clients such as District Taco, Union Kitchen and One Eight Distilling Company. Ultimately,
Clean Decisions offers returning citizens an opportunity to succeed while offering a service to other
businesses.

FLIKSHOP™®

Flikshop helps familics of prisoners casily send photo postcards to their incarcerated loved ones through
a mobile app. Marcus Bullock, its CEO and founder, lcarned first-hand while incarccrated that mail
time s the best time of the day for prisoners. The business partners with prisoncr advocacy groups to
organize mailing campaigns.

Marcus also designed The Flikshop School of Business, Entreprencurship and Coding Training Center
which offers a 16-week Entreprencurship Launch-Pad, a supplemental workforce and apprenticeship
program.!

4] BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
MISSION: LAUNCH, INC."*

Mission: Launch, co-founded by a directly impacted mother-daughter team, has advocated for civic
technology and inclusive entreprencurship since it's founding in 2012. The organization led The
Rebuilding Reentry Coalition, which brought together directly impacted individuals, corporations,
government agencies and non-profits with the civic coding community through hackathons and collab-
orative workshops.

Several open-source tools were established focused on record sealing/expungement and services coor-
dination leading to national attention for D.Cs reentry community. An MSNBC television crew
attended the Rebuilding Reentry DC Hackathon and the co-founders, Teresa Hodge and Laurin
(Hodge) Leonard, were named a “Foot Soldier of the Week” (11/9/2015) on the Melissa Harris-Perry
show with Ari Melber.

By way of their business and leadership development accelerator for entreprencurs living with crim-
inal convictions, LaunchPad, provides technical assistance, shared workspace and leadership devel-
opment training. LaunchPad was sceded by a local philanthropic partner and the US. Small Business
Administration. LaunchPad has resulted in the formation of worker owned cooperatives, sole propri-
ctorships and limited liability companies throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.

TIGHT SHIFT LABORING COOPERATIVE'®

Tightshift Laboring Cooperative is a growing worker-owned laboring business in D.C. providing a range
of high quality laboring services including moving, hauling, cleaning, or landscaping. The organization
isalso D.C.s first worker-owned cooperative business founded by returning citizens. Tightshift ensures
a thorough, timely, and affordable service “wrapped all in one tight shift.” It aims to promote worker
freedom and provide services with integrity and love for the people, community, and environment.

D.C. Area Organizations Supporting Returning Citizens
ONE DC: ORGANIZING NEIGHBORHOOD EQUITY'*

ONE DCs mission is to exercise political strength to create and preserve racial and economic equity
in Shaw and the District. The organization strives to create a community in D.C. that is equitable for
all. In response to unemployment in D.C., it partnered with Goodwill of Greater Washington and the
‘Washington Marriott Marquis to train D.C. residents in the restaurant industry

It continues to advocate for good jobs recognizing the problem of chronic Black unemployment. ONE
DC Black Workers Center is a member-led platform aimed at building racial and cconomic justice
through education and worker-owned alternatives like worker-owned cooperatives, collectives and
businesses.

BACK ON MY FEET'®

Back on My Feet (BoM) revolutionizes the way socicty approaches homelessness. BoMF recruits
members at homeless and residential facilities (resident members”) around the country and begins with
members’ commitment to an carly morning run three days a week. BoMF welcomes non-resident mem-
bers and volunteers to join in daily runs to motivate, and be motivated by resident participants.

Resident-members with 90% attendance earn the opportunity to move into the second phase of the
program called “Next Steps,” which provides educational support, job training programs, employment

5 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
partnership referrals and housing resources.* BoMT aims to restore confidence, strength and self-cs-
teem enabling participants to tackle the road ahead and move toward jobs, homes and new lives,

COOPERATION DC?

Cooperation DC, a project of ONE DC, helps organize and advance worker-owned cooperatives in
the Districe. The organization hosts a series of events and trainings related to worker cooperatives and
had served as the catalyst for establishing the infrastructure needed to provide technical assistance and
support to emerging cooperatives that are led and owned by communitics of color.

One of the organization’s key goals is establishing an alternative local economy in D.C. that is self-sus-
taining Cooperation DC works closely with the ONE DC Black Workers Center to conduct outreach,
popular education, and organize workers interested in developing their own worker coops.

DC CENTRAL KITCHEN'®

DC Central Kitchen has specialized in cquipping adults with histories of incarceration, addiction,
homelessness, and trauma with the hands-on training and support they need to begin a culinary carecr,
since 1989, The organization offers a 14-week, intensive training program which provides culinary arts
education, career readiness training, and realworld internships, at no-cost. It has helped 90% of its
graduates find jobs after program completion.

The Culinary Job Training program is certified by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education
(OSSE) and recognized by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation as a Quality
Program. Graduates work across Washington, D.C.s, thriving culinary industry in top restaurants, large
hotels, corporate cafeterias, and in hospitals, schools, and universities.

FREE MINDS BOOK CLUB & WRITING WORKSHOP'*

Free Minds uses books, creative writing, and community support to empower incarcerated and for-
merly incarcerated youths and adults to transform their lives. Free Minds provides book clubs in the
D.C.jail, correspondence-based programming in federal prisons, and literacy and job readiness services
for returning citizens. An award winning re-entry program, Free Minds helps young men and women
see their potential and achieve new educational and career goals, including entreprencurship for those
uniquely suited to it

LIFE ASSET INC.2*

Life Asset aims to “help alleviate poverty in Washington, D.C., through affordable financial products,
services, and education, thereby promoting self help and self-respect and expanding social and eco-
nomic opportunities for lower income residents.” It provides ongoing financial and business training
to low-income entreprencurs. Modeled on the world renowned Grameen Bank, founded by economist
and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, Life Asset has trained more than 1,500 entrepre-
neurs and made 215 business loans averaging $1,050 each.

Life Asset provides a pecr group training model to help people get out of bad debr, save, invest, and
give back to the community. Its “Debtors Anonymous” (modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous), helps
improve practical steps, financial steps, and behavioral changes.

6] BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
PROJECT JUMPSTART?'

Project JumpStart provides an 87-hour pre-apprenticeship training program with rigorous classroom
and hands-on training to Baltimore City and Prince George’s County residents annually: Its mission s
to “train low-income city residents to enter the building trades on a construction career track that will
help them advance beyond the entry-level.” The organization has more than 650 graduates who are
rebuilding local communities, by foraging the workforce.

Non-D.C. Area Organizations Supporting Entrepreneurship for Returning Citizens
DEFY VENTURES?? (NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO, AND OMAHA)

Defy Ventures helps former drug dealers and gang leaders by recognizing they can become sucecssful,
legal entreprencurs. The organization serves returning citizens by offering intensive leadership develop-
ment with “Shark Tank-style business plan competitions,” mentoring, financial investment, and startup
guidance. It strives to provide returning citizens with a life-giving, authentic community along with
strong relationships with exceutive volunteers,

LAST MILE? (CALIFORNIA)

The Last Mile (TLM) is a technology accelerator that prepares incarcerated individuals for successful
reentry through busincss and technology training. The program allows incarcerated persons to pitch
business ideas to investors before their release from prison and gain a broader context for the possibil-
itics for returning citizens,

RISING TIDE CAPITAL? (NEW JERSEY)

Rising Tide Capital (RTC) serves struggling individuals and communities to help build “strong busi-
nesses which transform lives, strengthen familics, and build sustainable communities.” RTC has a
12-week business academy that takes participants through the phases of starting and successfully man-
aging a business. In 2009, former President Obama applauded RTC’s success.*

Surround Yourself with Inspiration: Readings and Podcasts

Regular support, inspiration, and encouragement are going to be essential to your success. You can
borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and more from your local public library. Below are several recommended
titles. All you need is a library card and you will be able to access thesc items with ease.

* Readings: You will find cach of the D.C. area library locations listed here:2¢

hetpsi/iwwwdclibraryorg/hour: ion:

* Hlegal to Legal: Business Success For The (Formerly) Incarcerated—Mr. R. L. Pelshaw

* The Big Leap—Gay Hendricks

* ASetup s a Setup for a Comeback—Willey Jolie

* Redemptive Soul—Yusef Shakur

* The Untold Story of the Real Me: Young Voices from Prison—Free Minds Book Club Writers

* Law Man: My Story of Robbing Banks, Winning Supreme Court Cases, and Finding
Redemption—Shon Hopwood and Dennis Burks

* Beyond Bars: Rejoining Society After Prison—Jefirey lan Ross

* Getting Out & Staying Out: A Black Man's Guide to Success After Prison—Demico Boothe

7| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
« Podeasts: You can find a number of relevant podcasts, at the intersection of entreprencurship
training and support for returning citizens.

* The Returning Citizen Podeast: A resource for people coming out of prison, and their fam-
ilies. Ttis “designed to be a focal point for sharing stories, connecting resources, and building
community” The link can be accessed here, as well as on i Tunes. hetp:/Avwwpodcastdetrot.
comartist/the-returning:citizen

« AEI Events Podcast, Opportunity and reentry: Creating pathways for returning
citizens in Maryland and beyond: Conversation about reentry and works to convene
people, provide rescarch, and influence public policy with the goal of reducing recid-
ivism for the formerly incarcerated. AET and the University of Baltimore’s School of

Criminal Justice partnered for the following podeast. hutpi//wwwaci.orglmultimedia/
ryland-ang

STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN TEN STEPS

‘Every time 1 see a problem, I create a business to solve it”
— Muhammad Yanus

Tor inspiration, about the type of business you want to start, consider the things you enjoy doing, and
look around your community for problems that nced to be solved. Please sce below for the ten steps for
starting a business as you rescarch your idea and consider what tools and resources you will need to make
your idea into a real business, and what challenges you might face. In the next scction, youwillalso find
an infographic explaining cach step.

L Create Your One-Page Business Plan: A business plan is a roadmap for business success. It can
also help investors, partners, and suppliers to understand your business.

2. Get Business Assistance and Training: Participate in training and counseling services to assist
youwith your business plan:

3. Weigh Pros and Cons of a Physical Location: Plan and research before choosinga physical
business location.

4. Fund your business: Find funding for your business. You may be able to find it from a.
‘micro lender.

5. Select the Best Legal Structure for Your Business: Decide what type of business you want to
start. The appropriate legal entity will be governed by state law and influenced by the many legal
and tax considerations of the business. See the list of legal clinics that can help after you have a
business plan.

6. Legally Structure Your Business: You may have to file several documents like Articles of
Organization, for an LLC.

7. Register for State and Local Taxes: File federal taes (with the IRS), state taxes and other local
taxes. If you are starting a SO1() nonprofit, you will need to file a 1023 form with the IRS to
become tax-exempt.

8 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
8. Obtain Business Licenses and Permits: You will likely need to decide on a business entity
before getting business licenses or permits.

9. Understand Employer Responsibilities: Familiarize yourself with key federal and state regula
tions before starting the hiring process.

10. Open for Business: (1) Pursue Partnerships and Workforce (2) Protect Your Brand (3) Consider
Taxes: Be sure to keep up with your business filings and your taxes.

Infographic for Starting a Business in Ten Steps

Step 1: Create Your One-Page | A business plan s a roadmap for business success. It can also help investors,

Business Plan pariners, and others to understand your business.
Step 2: Get Business. Participate in training and counseling services to assist you with your
Assistance and Training business plan.

Step 3: Weigh Pros and Cons.

i " Plan and research before choosing a business location.

Find funding for your business. You may be able to find it from family, friends,

Step 4: Fund yourbusiness | . oo e nment, or investors.

Decide what type of business you want to start. The appropriate legal entity il
be governed by state law and influenced by the many legal and tax consider-
ations of the business.?*

Step 5 Select the Best Legal
Structure for Your Business

File several documents like Articles of Incorporation for a corporation or
Asticles of Organization or for an LLC.

File federal taxes (with the IRS),state taxes and other local taxes. I you
are starting a 501(c) nonprofit, you will need to file a 1023 form with the IRS.
to become tax exempt.

and Local Taxes

Step 8: Obtain Business

s Decide on a business entity before abtaining business licenses or permits.

Step 9: Un¢
Responsi

rstand Employer | Familiarize yourself with key federal and state regulations before starting
the hiring pracess.?

(1) Pursue Workforce Partnerships, (2) Protect Your Brand, and, (3) Consider

Step 10: Open forBusiness | 7., .. . sure to keep up with your business filngs and your taxes

9| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
CREATING YOUR ONE-PAGE BUSINESS PLAN

Abusiness plan s a clear and comprehensive description of your business that helps lenders or investors,
partners, and others understand how it will make moncy, and how investors can expect to be repaid. Six
of the critical components of a business plan are listed below

6.

‘The Big Picture/Executive Summary: This section identifies the type of business you have, who
your clients are, how you will make money and the services you provide and for whom.

Targeted Audience and Impacts/Business Operations: In business you generally focus on
filling a need, solving a problem, or improving someone’s life

Profit/Financials. To be successful in business, you must make a profit. Making a profit means
your revenues are greater than your expenses.

Marketing Strategies. People need to know about you and your product or service.

Climbing the Mountain/Management. You cannot do everything yourself. Outsource tasks

or projects where you are weak or get help with those tasks that can be accomplished better by
someone clse

Achieving Goals and Successes. Make sure you know when you achieve your goals, when to
re-evaluate them, and to celebrate successes.

While an extensive business plan®® may be uscful to the business as it grows and develops moving for-
ward, a one page document, using the critical questions below is often cnough to get your business up
and running. Please take a moment to complete the following worksheet to get started with your one-
page business plan worksheet and businss canvas map below:

10| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
One-Page Business Plan Worksheet

I

1L

11

v,

V.

VI

The Big Picture/Executive Summary: This identifies what you actually do and for whom.

1. Tselliprovide

2. To people who

3. My target audience is generally frustrated or challenged by

4. My simple solution addresses this by

Making Life Better/Business Operations: In business, you generally focus on filing a need,
solvinga problem, or improving someone’s life.

1. Myideal target audience is

2. Tam helping

3. Tamincreasing

4. Tam reducing or getting rid of

Profit/Financials: To be successful in business, you must make profit. Making a profit means your
revenues are greater than your expenses.

1. T charge

2. To get paid T

3. Tcan also earn money i

Marketing Strategies: People need to know about you and your product or service.

My top three competitors are Jand

Whatis different about my business is

Customers learn about me through

2
3
4. Tmarket my business by
s

T courage people to refer business to me by

Climbing the Mountain/Management: You cannot do everything yourself. Outsource tasks or
projects where you are weak or those tasks that can be accomplished casily by someone else.

1. Tdo not like doing and Twill get help with

Achieving Goals and Successes: Make sure you know when you achieve your goals, when to
re-evaluate them, and to celebrate milestones and accomplishments.

1. Twillassess my detailed business plan cach quarter.

2. Twill assess my one page business plan once per month.
3. Twill revisit my business goals as frequently as possible.
4

T'll know I am financially successful when I have.
orscll

(# of customers),

# of products)

Pllknow I had a successful year when looking at the plan at the end of the year and assessing
what percentage of my goals have been reached.

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Business Canvas Map

You can take steps on your own to analyze your products, business opportunitics, and market environ-
ment by completing a business canvas map from Strategyzer and taking advantage of the other frec
business-planning resources on Strategyzer's platform for entrepreneurs.

The Business Model Canvas o h -
[— I | [ ) ——)
Po——— crames »

[ e P

Alink to the business canvas map and related online resources can be found here:
hetps:/fstrategyzer.com/canvas/business-model-canvas.

12 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
FINDING THE RIGHT FINANCING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

After your business plan, the next step is to detcrmine whether you may need to secure financing or
develop astrategic partncrship. Do not be discouraged if any of thesc resources do not pan out, because
the funding process is different for cach businss. For cxample, if you do not have the personal savings,
there are several resources for you to consider.

The available resources include government funding, as well as private funding sources. The following
general resources are a great place to start your funding search.

Primary Options for Returning ens

* Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFD)s are private financial institutions
that provide responsible, affordable loans to help low-income and disadvantaged people and
communitics by financing community businesses such as small businesses, microenterprises,
‘nonprofit organizations, and other community entities. There are 4 categories of CDFIs: banks,
credit unions, loan funds, and venture capital funds. These CDFIs make loans o investments to
community-based small businesses at affordable rates. D.C. CDFIs made over 41,000 loans or
investments totaling over $3 billion, financed over 12,000 small businesses and supported over
25,000 housing units. Alist of CDFIs" in D.C. is available below:

* Anacostia Economic Development Corporation
1800 Martin Luther KingJr. Avenue, SE, Suite 100 | Washington, D.C. 20020
202-889-5100

* Building Hope—A Charter School Facilities Fund
910 17¢h Street, NW, Suite 1100 | Washington, D.C. 20006
202-457-1999
info@bhope.org

* CFBane Corporation-

1432 U Street, NW| Washington, D.C. 20009
202-243-7100

* Gity First Bank of DC, N.A.

1432 G Street| Washington, D.C.
https:/iwwwcityfirstbank.com

* City First Enterprises
202-745-4490
https:/iwwwcfenterprises.org

+ Community Development Transportation Lending Services
1341 G Street, NW; 10th Floor | Washington, D.C. 20005
202-661-0212

* Cornerstone, Inc.

1400 20th Street, NW, Suite G3 | Washington, D.C. 20036-5963

* District Government Employees Federal Credit Union
2000 L4th Street, NW; 2nd Floor | Washington, D.C.
877-784-5551

13 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
* Government Printing Office Federal Credit Union
202-512-1067
hetps:/iwwwgpofew.org

* Housing Assistance Council
1025 Vermont Avenue, NW; Suite 606 | Washington, D.C. 20005
202-842-8600

* Industrial Bank
4812 Georgia Avenue, NW | Washington, D.C.
202-722-2000

+ Institute for Community Economics
110130th Street, NW; Suite 100A| Washington, D.C. 20007
wwwahtinc.orglice.php

* Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC)
WeWork Wonder Bread Factory
6415 Street, NW | Washington, D.C.
202-588-5102
hetp:/fwwwledemetro.org/contact

+ National Community Reinvestment Coalition
740 15th Street, Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20005
202-628-8866
hetpi/hwwwnere.org

* National Housing Trust Community Development Fund
1101 30th Street, NW, Suite 100 Al Washington, D.C. 20007
*+ Partners for the Common Good, Washington (PCG)
1444 Eye Street, NW, Suite 2011 Washington, D.C. 20005
202-689-8935
peg@pegloanfund.org
*+ Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)
2012 Rhode Island Avenue, NE | Washington, D.C. 20018
202-529-5505
http:/iwaciforg
Aspire to Entrepreneurship, Core Program. The Core Aspire to Entreprencurship program
partners directly with the Department of Employment Services' Project Empowerment.
Accepted applicants enter a sivmonth business incubator program while recciving a Project
Empowerment stipend. Eligible enrollees may also be able to participate in a matched-saving
account program through the Capital Arca Asset Builders. The project is supported by the Officc of
the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity, D.C. Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizen
Affairs and the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, it's non-profit service provider,
Changing Perceptions, and many other community stakcholders from across the District

The Aspire to Entreprencurship program has, from its inception in 2016, been stakeholder driven.
Partner and community stakeholders developed three central principles that drive the program
implementation and design. Those who do not enter the six-month Aspire program are stil cligible

for free and ongoing, onc-on-one dircet technical assistance. Please contact Derrick Colbert at
Derrick.Colbert2@de.gov.™?

14 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
Additional Options for Returning Citizens

+ Grants.gov. This s a search engine that allows users to search and apply for federal grants by
using keywords and other more specific criteria. These services are available at the following link
http:/Avwgrants.gov

* Business USA's Access to Financing Wizard, This resource is an online questionnaire tool
designed to identify potential funding opportunities for your business’s specific needs. You can
access it by visiting the link listed below where you will need to follow the questionnaire prompts
and, answer the questions as accurately as possible. This resource provides results for possible
grants in just a few moments! The Access to Financing Wizard is available at the following link:
hetp://business.usa govlaccess-financing.

* Grants Information Resource Center (GIRC). The D.C. Office of Partnerships and Grant
Services houses the GIRC, which provides one-on-one technical assistance to D.C. community
and faith-based organizations and nonprofits in identifying competitive grant funding and other
resources. The GIRC offers computer stations with access to grant subscription data services.
New clients may schedule a one-on-one appointment. More information on GIRC
registration instructions are available at the following link:
hetp:/fopgs.de.goviservice/grants-information-resource-center-girc

* Grants Information Data System (GIDS). GIDS is a database of current city, federal, and foun-
dation grant opportunities available to D.C.-area nonprofits and community-based organizations.
The system allows viewers to sce grant listings or perform searches based on grant title, grantor
type, issue arca, or grant ID. You can consult the GIDS search engine at the following link:

hetp://app.opgd.de.govigrantautomation/grantfinder.asp.

services and

For minority-owned businesses

* The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The MBDA provides resources to
assist minority business owners to find business loans and grants and supports local minority
business centers that provide financial counseling and financial assistance to minority-owned
businesses. More information is available at the following link: http:/Awwwmbda.gov

+ The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMDC). The NMDC that con-
nects large companies with minority-owned businesses and vendors. It also oversees the Business
Consortium Fund, which provides commercial loans and lines of credit to certified minority busi-
nesses. More information is available at the following link: hetp:/wvwwnmsdc.org.

15 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
Government Funding

Both the federal and D.C. governments have programs to promote funding sources for small businesses.
Please consult the resources below to see if any of these programs could be the right fit for your business

* United States Small Business Administration (SBA). If you own a for-profit business, explore
the SBAS Microloan Program. The SBAs Microloan Program provides loans up to $S0K to help
small for-profit businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers get started and expand.
‘The average microloan is about $13K. The SBA gives funds to SBA-approved intermediary lend-
exs (non-profit community-based organizations with experience in lending, management, and
technical assistance). These intermediary lenders administer microloans to eligible borrowers.
Because each intermediary has its own lending and credit requirements, you should identify spe-
cific lenders in your area. To identify specific lenders, consult the “SBA Partner Identification &
Management System’” at the following link: https://www:sha govlsites/default/fles/asticles/micro
lenderrpt_16011Lcfm_pdf. *Note SBA now makes business loans to returning citcens

* United States Department of the Treasury—Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF). SBLF is
adedicated fund designed to provide capital to qualificd community banks and community devel-
opment loan funds to encourage small business lending Treasury investments are provided to
community banks and community development loan funds. Small businesses can go to one of the
3,000 participating locations across 47 states and the District of Columbia to apply for funding.
To identify a participating institution, consult the “Map of Participating Lending Institutions” at
the following link: https:/Avwwtreasurygov/resource-center/sb-programs/Pages/sblf-ma

* D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Administers Great
Streets Grants, competitive grants of up to $0K to qualified small business owners who wish to
improve their business property in certain D.C. corridors. Interested business owners must sub-
‘mit online applications Be sure to check the Request for Applications for eligibility requirements
and submission instructions. Consult the Request for Applications and Application at the follow-
ing link: heep://greatstreets.de. gov/page/small-business-business-grants

+ State Small Business Credit Initiative. As a participant in the State Small Business Credit
Initiative, D.C. will use federal funds for programs that leverage private lending to help finance
small businesses and manufacturers that are creditworthy, but do not meet other loan require-
‘ments. D.C.’s Small Business Credit Initiative incorporates several programs:

* The D.C. Collateral Support Program provides collateral support for qualified small business
borrowers who are unable to meet the lender's collateral requirements.

* The D.C. Loan Participation Program provides loan support for qualified small business bor-
rowers who are unable to meet the lender’ capital requirements or the lending institution's
debt service coverage ratio.

+ Morc information on the above programs is available at the following link
ht it wiservice/small

16 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
Private Funding

Ifyour small business is more mature, you may want to consider sceking private funding. Please consult
the resources below for funding opportunities that could be the right fit for your business.
+ Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs). SBICs are privately managed for-profit
investment funds that use privately raised funds and guaranteed SBA loans to provide
Tong-terms loans and equity investments to qualifying small businesses.
hetps:/fwwwsha govlcontentishic-financing-right your business#1)

* Is your business eligible for SBIC financing? Consult these 3 sources to search for active SBICs:

* SBA Directory—https://wwwisha govicontent/shic-directory

* Small Business Investor Alliance—http:/fwwwisbia.org
* National Association of Investment—http:/naicpe.com

Non-Profit Specific Funding
+ Ifyou have a non-profit organization, you may not be cligible for some of the for-profit funding
opportunities lsted above. Please consult the nonprofit-specific resources below to sce if any of
these funding opportunitics could be the right fit for your nonprofit organization,

Fiscal Sponsorship

+ Afiscal sponsorship arrangement is a way for organizations that do not yet have SO1()() non-
profit tax-cxempt status to attract donors by using an already existing S01(c)(3) as an adminis-
rative sponsor for the cause. A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization that provides fiduciary
oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to charitable projects that do
not et have S01(c)(3) status. Donations made from individuals to the charitable project essen-
ially flows through the fiscal sponsor, allowing the donors to treat their donations as tax deduct-
ible. To identify potential fiscal sponsors, consult the fiscal sponsor dircetory at the following link:
‘http:/hwww fisce nsordis ry.org

Crowdfunding
+ Crowdfunding for nonprofits is a way to raisc money, usually through an online platform, from
individuals who simply wish to donate to and support the causc of the charitable project or non-
profit organization. Users can create a profile on nonprofit-specific sites, such as Global Giving

(hetps://wvwwglobalgiving org)), explaining their mission and charitable goals. Individuals can then
choose to make donations to the cause through the site. Informative PowerPoint presentations

created by the Office of Partnerships and Grant Services outlines uscful tips and best practices for
crowdfunding on Global Giving. The slides are available at the following link:
hetpilfopgs.de.goviscrvicc/crowdfunding-nonprofits

17 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
Self-Employment

Chesapeake Business Finance Corp (‘Chesapeake”) s a private non-profit corporation licensed by
the US. Small Business Administration (‘SBA) to make SBA 504 loans to businesses in Maryland, D.C.,
Southern Delaware, Northern Virginia, and eastern West Virginia. Chesapeake’s role is to market the
504 program, assist banks to screen and structure eligible projects, prepare loan packages, negotiate
with the SBA, coordinate the closing, and service the loans after they are funded ** SBA 504 loans pro-
vide financing for: purchase of land, purchase o construction of a building; renovation, including lease-
hold improvements; purchase of machinery or equipment with a minimum useful life of ten years; and
refining of existing eligible debt up to 50 percent of new project costs excluding soft costs.

Chesapeake Business Finance Corporation, Certified Development Company. Chesapeake
Business Finance Corp (‘Chesapeake”) is a private non-profit corporation licensed by the SBA to make
SBA 504 loans to businesses in Maryland, D.C., Southern Delaware, Northern Virginia, and castern
West Virginia. Chesapeake’s role is to market the 504 program, assist banks to screen and structure
eligible projects, prepare loan packages, negotiate with the SBA, coordinate the closing, and service the
loans after they are funded.

* 1101 30th Street, NW, #500 | Washington, D.C. 20007
202-625-4373

hetpilfv m

Community First, Inc., Certified Development Company: Community First is a mission-based
community development bank devoted to alleviating poverty in the District of Columbia that improves
access to loans and capital for entrepreneurs and residents, with a focus on distressed and redeveloping
neighborhoods in the District. It partners with arca banks to operate the SBA's “504 Loan” Program
in the District of Columbia. Community First helps entreprencurs making socially responsible invest-
ments. Please see below for their contact information:
* 5 Thomas Circle | Washington, D.C. 20005
hetp:/fvwcommunityfirst.org

Washington DC SCORE, SCORE Chapter: SCORE, short for the Service Corps of Retired
Executives, is a source of free and confidential business advice for entreprencurs and small businesses.
It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to entreprencur education and the formation, growth and
success of small business nationwide.” SCORE provides low-cost workshops to help start and grow
businesses. Check SCORE' calendar of workshops for dates/times and locations.* SCORE also pro-
vides free one-on-one counseling to help businesses. For more information regarding the workshop
schedule, visit their website: heep:/fevents.r20.constantcontact.com/calendar/monthview?eso=0010v
jRypldyvzCAK Winy YaCGw==4eyear=2016&month=9. Their address is also provided below:
* 409 3rd Street, W, Suite 100A| Washington, D.C. 20024
202-619-1000
hetps:/iwashingtonde.score.org

18 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
Anacostia Economic Development Corporation (AEDC): AEDC is a community development
corporation that was established to meet the overall economic needs, and to improve the quality-of life
circumstances of District of Columbia residents, specifically those residing in the Anacostia/Far
Southeast community™® The AEDC, through its affiliation with the DC Small Business Development
Center (DC-SBDC) Network, provides free management, technical assistance and affordable train-
ing in all phases of business development to District of Columbia based small businesses. AEDC
DC-SBCD's certified, trained and skilled business consultants provide confidential one-on-one man-
agement assistance in a myriad of areas, at no cost to the client. Business Consulting Services include,
but are not limited to: Cash Flow Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Market Research, Federal and Local
Government Certification, Procurement Assistance, Overall Business Assessment, Start-up Feasibility
Analysis, Business Plan Development, Strategic Planning, and Business Start-up Information. Contact
information is provided below:

* 1800 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, #100 | Washington, D.C. 20020
202-889-5090
hetp:/Avwwanacostiacde.com

DC Women's Business Center/National Commaunity Reinvestment Coalition: The Washington,
D.C., Women's Business Center (DCWBC) is a business development organization that serves women
entreprencurs in the Washington, D.C., Capitol Region. The DCWBC is managed by the National
Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC). The DCWBC provides training and consulting to assist
in the growth of women-owned businesses in federal procurement opportunities. The DCWBC is
funded in part by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide trainingand counseling to women
entreprencurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged. The DCWBC has
partnered with Minority Business Enterprise Center of Washington, D.C., (DCMBEC) to provide
additional management and business consulting assistance to increase economic parity in performan
between minority and non-minority companies. Contact information is provided below:
* 72715th Street, NW; 5th Floor | Washington, D.C. 20005
202-393-8307
hetpi/Avwnedewbe.org

DreamBuilder: DreamBuilder is an intensive online business skills development curriculum that
guides women entreprencurs through interactive exercises and videos, including stories from real-
world, successful women entreprencurs to achieve economic sucess. S The program is not only relevant
for women who are thinking of starting a small business, but also those who are secking to grow their
existing small or medium-sized businesses and simply need additional support to increase their succss

and income.“ You may access their resources here: http:/dreambuilder.orgisba

The DreamBuilder online business skills development curriculum will be taught in a “flipped class-
room” model* During the first session, participants will receive their login credentials and an over-
view of the online platform. 1 They will then be able to work at home, at their own pacc on the cloud
platform. Participants will have the opportunity to work on the online curriculum using a laptop pro-
vided during these sessions.* This enables any technical issucs to be handled by the WESST trainer.’”
The DreamBuilder online training curriculum is available to women entreprencurs in both English
and Spanish.

19 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
TAX CHECKLISTS FOR NEW AND EXISTING BUSINESSES

Starting a Business: Tax Checklist and Considerations

Yes | No

N/A

Have you considered if your wark is a hobby, rather than a business?™

Have you considered how the form of business you select (.. sole proprietorship, partner.
ship, corporation, LLC) impacts which income tax return you must file?”"

Have you applied for an Employer Identfication Number (EIN) to identify your business?*

Have you considered the types of business taxes you would be required to pay (e.g.,income
tax, estimated taxes, self-employment tax, employment taxes, and excise tax)?">

Do you know your tax year?™*

Have you identified various considerations for starting a business?>

Have you reviewed the small business tax publications and recommended readings for small
businesses on various tax topics?*

Operating a Business: State and Local Tax Checklist

Yes [ No

N/A

Have you sought an overview of the necessary information that taxpayers need ta comply with
D.Cis tax laws?”

‘Are you withholding, depositing, reporting, and paying employment taxes?"

Have you filed the Form FR-500 Combined Business Ta Registration Application?”

Have you reviewed the lst of other tax forms from the Office of Tax and Revenue?*

f you are a business paying independent contractors, have you accessed the appropriate
1099-MISC form for your tax filing2¢"

Have you evaluated whether your income is taxable and nontaxable, to include employee
‘compensatian, fringe benefits, business and investment income, royalties, etc.?*

Have you identified forms and instructions necessary” while fling, reporting, and paying.
business tates pertaining to

«Starting and operating a new business?
«General Business Expenses?
*Specialized forms, if any?

< Employee benefits?

Have you sought guidance concerning estimated tax, the method used to pay tax on income
thatis not subject to withholding?**

Have you identified your costs of carrying on business which may be eligible for a tax
deduction?

Have you sought a lst, alang with the respective forms, for the various business tax credits you
may be eligible for?

Have you sought guidance on Section 179, which allows businesses to deduct purchases of
qualifying equipment or software sacured for the business during the tax year? &

‘Small Business Tax Workshops and Seminars

* For resources and workshops to help small business owners understand and fulfilltheir fed-

eral tax responsibilities, visit: hetps://wwwirs. gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/

small-business-tax-workshops-and-webinars.

« For resources to virtual workshops, videos, and webinars to help small business owners under-

stand and fulfill their federal tax responsibilities, visit: https:/vwwirs.gov/businesses/small-

mployed-virtual-small-business-tax-workshoy

20 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

The following community resources include legal assistance, skills workshops, membership groups,
and organizations that may be of assistancc.

General Resources

DC Small Business Development Center

2600 6¢h Street, NW | Washington, D.C.

202-889-50901202-806-1550

hetps://desbde.org

For events and workshops to assist with business planning, budgeting, marketing, financing, and tips
for starting and growing your business, visit https://desbdc.orglevents

Collaborative Solutions for Communities
1816 12th Street, NW, Suite 201 Washington, D.C.
202-518-6737

hetpi/lwearecsc.orgiworkforce-development

Services: training, technical assistance, workforce development

Center for Entrepreneurial Education & Development
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 850 North | Washington, D.C.
202-727-3900

The Center for Entrepreneurial Education & Development (CEED) provides information and
services to entreprencurs and companies looking to launch, strengthen, and grow their business
in the District.

Flikshop School of Business
Youth Entrepreneurship Training Center
htp:/fwww flikshopschoolofbusiness.com

Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs

Brian Ferguson, Director (orca@dc gov)
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, Suite 100 | Washington, D.C. 20020

Mon-Fri 9am to Spm
2027157672

http:/forca.de.gov

L (Commercial Driver’s License) Training Program
iminal Justice Coordinating Council Resource Locator
* Education, Training Assistance and Employment

* Health Care, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Assistance
* Housing Assistance

* Record Sealing and Expunging

21| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
Educational Resources

Pre-GED & Beginning Readers
‘Washington Literacy Center

1816 12th Street, NW | Washington, DC.
Mon-Fi 9am to Spm

2023879029

wwwwashingtonliteracycenterorg
Services: Basic reading classes and tutoring for adult learners

GED

Adult Literacy Resource Center at MLK Public Library

901G Street, NW, Room 300 | Washington, D.C.

Mon-Thu 9:30am to 9pm; FriSat 9:30am to 5:30pm

202-727-2431

wwwdclibraryorg/services/adult

Services: Referral to pre-GED and GED classes, studying help, practice tests, ESL classes and tutoring

Academy of Hope
2315 18th Place, NE | Washington, D.C. 20018
202-269-6623

wwwaohde.org
Services: Free GED prep, computer classes, and other courses

College & Advanced Degrees

UDC Community College Workforce Development Program and Lifelong Learning
202-274-7T181

heg
Services: Free classes to help develop career skills in many felds including: health care, construction
trades, hospitality, office technology

du

Job Training

Lift DC

Perry School

28 M Street, NW; Suite 335 | Washington, D.C.
202-289-2525

THEARC
1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE | Washington, D.C.

202-450-2787

wwwliftcommunities.org

Services: Student Advocates meet with clients one-on-one to create resumes and apply for jobs.
Requirements: Call ahead to schedule an appointment.

22| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
Strive DC
7151 Street, NE | Washington, D.C.
202-484-1264

wwwistrivedc.org

Service: Intensive job prep training course and skill building program

DOES Job Centers (One-Stops)
Locations around DC.
2027247000

Services: Job search workshops, referrals to job training, and hiring employcrs

$.0.M.E. (So Others Might Eat) Center for Employment Training
2300 MLK Avenue, SE, 4th Floor| Washington, D.C.

202-292-4460

Mon-Fi 9am to Spm

wwwsome.org

Services: Certification for medical, building maintenance and other trades

Jubilee Jobs

2712 Ontario Road, NW | Washington, D.C.

202-667-8970

jubileejobs.org

Services: Resume help, job readiness, and connections to entry-level jobs

Computer Access & Classes
Byte Back

2025622636
wwwsoutheastministrydc.org
Services: Free computer classes

Project Reboot
4 Chocke Cherry Road | Rockville, MD
301-330-0034

Mon Ipm to Spm; Wed 10am to 4pm

wwwprojectreboot.org

Services: Low cost computers and printers
Requirements: need referral from partner organization (call ahead)

23| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
General Legal and Regulatory Assistance for Small Businesses
in the D.C. Area

Small Business Legal Clinics

There are a few clinical programs at law schools in Washington, D.C., that specialize in assisting small
businesses and/or nonprofit organizations. Ifone of these clinic is unable to accept new cases or there is
an ethical conflict that precludes representation of a potential client, applicants may be referred to one
of the other clinics.

American University Community Economic Development Clinic
https:/iwwwwel american edu/academics/experientialedulclinical/theclinics/community

David Clarke/UDC School of Law Community Development Law Clinic
4340 Connecticut Avenue, NW;, Room 316 Washington, D.C. 20008
202-274-5122

hetpi/fwwwlawude.edulpage=CommunityDevelopment

The Georgetown Law School Social Enterprise and Nonprofit Clinic
Georgetown Law

600 New Jersey Avenue, NW | Washington, DC.
202-661-6545

0001

clinics/social-enterprise-nonprofit-clinic.cfm

The George Washington University Law School Small Business and Community Economic
Development Clinic

2000 G Street, NW | Washington, D.C. 20052

202-994-7463

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Main Office: 409 3rd Street, SW | Washington, D.C. 20416
202-205-6600 or 202-205-67711800-827-5722

District Office: 740 15th Street, Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20005
202-272-0345

24| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
Local Bar Associations

The followingis lst of bar associations i the D.C. metropolitan arca,

Virginia (703)
* Lawyer Referral Service:
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (Alexandria)
Fairfax County Bar Association: 703-778-6800703-548-11051703-246-2740
* Legal Aid (for indigent clients unable to afford a private attorney): Arlington County
(only civil cases)

Maryland GOD)
* Lawyer Referral Service:
Montgomery County Bar Association
Prince George’s County Bar Assoc. 301-532-25251301-279-91001 301-952-1440

* Legal Aid (for indigent clients unable to afford a private attorney):
Legal Committee Montgomery County Bar Association
Legal Aid Prince George's County

District of Columbia (202)
* Bar Association Referral Service Legal Aid Society 202-424-34541202-927-6800 |
202-626-34991202-628-1161 10

Legal Aid
Legal Aid Socicty of DC
2026281161
wwwlegalaidde.org

Services: Pro bono direct legal services in domestic violence/family, housing, public benefits,
and consumer law.

Bread for the City

NW Office: 1525 Sth Street, NW | Washington, D.C.

202-265-2400

SE Office: 1640 Good Hope Road, SE | Washington, D.C.

202-561-8587

Office Hours: Walk-in Monday Ipm to 3pm

wwwhreadforthecityorg

Services: Provide vulnerable residents of Washington, D.C., with comprehensive services, including
food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services.

PDS Community Defender Division

680 Rhode Island Avenue, NW | Washington, D.C.

202-824-2801

Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 9am to 4:30pm

wwwpdsde.org

Services: Free legal and social service advice for recently released Returning Citizens.

25 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
General Business Resources
The Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

In addition to sponsoring many of the classes on the SBA's Small Business Management Training
Calendar, the SBDCs offer free individual counseling to small businesses.

Howard University

Main Office: 2600 6th Street, NW, Room 128 (6th and Fairmont Streets, NW)
Mailing Address: PO. Box 748 | Washington, D.C. 20059

202-806-1550

hetps:/idesbdc.org

Arlington SBDC, George Mason University

Mason Enterprise Center School Of Public Policy, George Mason University
901'S. Highland Street, Room 326 Arlington, VA 22204

703-892-1528 | Fax: 703-892-1542

wwwarlingtonsbde.org/index-htm

University of Maryland SBDC

Van Munching Hall, Room 4358 | College Park, MD 20742
301-403-8300

7000 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 402 | College Park, MD 20740
301-403-0501

wwwcapitalregionsbdc.um.edu

Other Useful Resources

Job & Interviewing Clothing
Strive DC

7151 Street, NE | Washington, D.C.
202-484-1264

Mon-Fri 9am to Spm

Clothing for men and a small selection for women

Workspace Organizations

HIVE 2.0 (fee)

1213-B Good Hope Road, SE | Washington, D.C.
202-733-6810

Membership provides co-working space, 24/7 access, meeting space, and access to office equipment

IMPACTHUB DC (fee)

419 7th Street, NW, 3rd Floor | Washington, D.C.

2025456745

Impact Hub DC is a co-working & events space for a membership community for entreprencurs,
activists, creatives, and professionals taking action to drive positive social and environmental change.

26| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
ENDNOTES

Susan R.Jones, Reprsenting Returning Ciizen Entropreneursinthe Nations Capital, 25:1 ABAJ AR Hous & Comm Dev Law
46-59 (2016). The action research project began in 2010 and is a way of educating law students aboutlaw and social policy
while hlping individuals and comunitics. Many clinic students contributed to this publication but it would not have been
fnalized without the assistance of the Andrea Johnson, Prof Jones'research assistant.

*See Clinton Yates, Returning citizens are still one of D.C's most marginalzed and motivated groups, Wast. Post. (Jan. 16,2015),
hipsisnrwashingronpost com/newslocal wp/2015/01/16 rerurningcitizens-are-sill-one-of-d-c-s-most-marginalized.

SDC. Code Section 24-13016).
“Beyond Scond Chance: Returning Citizens' Re-cntry Strgles and Suceesss in the Distict of Columbia, Council for Coure
Excellence, hitp:vwwcourteacellence.orgluploads/File BSC-FINAL:web.pdf Gast visited Mar 1, 2018).

S The Exonomic Impactof Microbusiness In the Unitd States, Ao Wons, https:fscoworks.orglpd/Bigger20Than%20 You%20
Think#320-620 The%20Economic?20 mpact#%2(00f#620Microbusiness?%20in%20the#20United%20States paf (ast
visited Feb. 8, 2018)

“Seeid

“Incarceation & Reentry, ASPE, hespss/laspe bhs govlincarceration-reentry last visited Oct. 4, 2017,

See Clinton Yates, Returning ctizens ar tllone of D.C's most marginalzed and moticated groups, Wasti Post. Jan. 16, 2015),
hipsirwashingronpost.com/newslocal wp/2015/01/16 rerurningcitizens-are-sill-onc-of-d-c-s-most-marginalized.
and-motivated-groups/utm_tesm=05393be2elck

*Home, Cueax Dicisions, huspsiivcleandecisions.com ast visited Oct. 4, 2017,
9 Who arewe?, FLixsmon, hetps: s likshop.com/#overview (last visited Oct. 4, 2017,

" Curricullm, Fiikshop, hetps:/ e fickshopschoolofbusiness.com/curriculum (st visited Feb. 28, 2018).

= Home, Misston Lauxcu, huep:wwwemission-launch.org (ase visited Oct. 4, 2017).
1 Home, Ticitr Sy, hesps:hwvwtighsshif.com (ast visited Oct. 4, 2017,
¥ About, ONEDC, hetp/hwsonedconline.osg (ast visited Oct. 4, 2017,

5 Mision-Vision, Baci ox My Fee, hitps:sowwsbackonmyfect orglmission-vision (ast visited Oct. 4, 2017),
16S¢e id The Organization indicates that nearly 80% ofindividuals who start the program move into Next Steps

7 Home, Coovextio D, hitp:llwvscooperationde o (sst visited Oct. 4, 2017)

eras Krene, hetps:/idccentralkitchen.org (ase visted Oct. 4,2017).
1 About Us, et Mixos, hetps/ffseemindshookeluborg (ast visited Oc. 4, 2017,

5 Our Social Vintures, DC

Abou, Lisw Assir, hepslfwlifeasset g (st visited Oct. 4, 2017
4 About, Progec Josrs s, bl fprojestiumpstarttsining g (st visited Oct. 4, 2017

2 About U, Ders Vaserones, hetpsddefiventures.org (st visieed Oce. 4, 2017,

2 Take Acion, Tue Last Mavs, htps:helastmile g (ast visited Oct. 4, 2017,

108 Cavrra, s wsrisingtidecapital orgshout (st visited Oct. 4, 2017

de Capita,htepseyoutube comeatchv-x9mIDbIDAeM 0:00-L0L

#Please note MLK is currently closed for renovations. The library closed on March 4, 2017 and construction has begun.
The new library will open in 2020.

U tbout Us, RisixG.

*President Obama Talks about Rising’

“The SBAalso provides several loan prograrms, such ss the “Microloan Program,” and the “General Small Business Loans:
70 loan,” which sceks to provide fnancial help for businesses with special requirements. For more information on loans
and grants, please visi: httpsi/snwvisha.gov/loans-grants/sce-what-sha-offerssbaloan

27| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
“Determining whether it will be a Sole Proprietorship, Parenership, Limited Liabilty Company (LLC), Nonprofie,
Cooperative, or Corporation will be cssential

29SBA, Unenstanoin ExtrLoves Resronsiiuiries, hespsihnsba govistarting-business hire-retain-cmployces hire-
yousfirsemployee (st visited Oct. 4, 2017).

4"This plan communicates your business strategy and serves as the primary document detailing your rescarch about your
business and how your product or services stand out, and how yors will eacn money:

See CDFI List, hpihvsnnedf ongéup-content ploads2013/02IDC..pulfGase visieed Oct. 4,201,

2 Aspie Entreprencursbip, Dir's or Suats ax Locat Bustss Devevorwes, heeps/idslb de govlervicelaspice-
entreprencurship (ast visied Oct. 4, 201).

Robet Jay Dilger, Small Busines Administration Microloan Program, Congressional Research Service, htsps: s orglsgplersimiscl
R410S7pdfase visted Oct. 4,2017). LR 2056, the Microloan Modernization Act of 2017, and 5. 526, its companion bill
i the Senate. HLR. 2056 was amended in committee to require intermediaries to spend no more than 50% of Microloan
technical assstance grant funds on technical assistance to prospective borrowers and no more than S0% of those funds on
third-party contracts for technical assistance. The bill as amended, was favorably reported by the House Committee on
‘Small Business on July 12, 2017, and agreed to by the House on July 24, 2017, by voice vote.

4Sce Chesapeake Business Fnance Corp, but/smaechesapeake 04 comfaboutus b Gase visted Oct. 4, 2017
Seeid

St Community First, hup:vscommunityfirstorg (as visited Oct. 4, 2017,

¥ See Home, Waswixiron DC Scone, butps:washingsonde score.org (as visited Oct. 4, 2017,

Secid

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(ast visited Oct. 4, 2017) A" tax year”is an annoal accounting period for reporting income and expenses. Tasable income
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28| BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW
See Checklit fo Starting a Busines, Ixrexas Revexus Sewvice, hutps:vsesies. govibusinesses/smallbusinesses-self-
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Business Tax-Credits (ase visted Oct. 4, 2017).

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section 179_deduction html (ast visited Oc. 4, 2017); Detailed information on Section 179 from the IRS tps:/fwss:
irs gov/publications/p946/ch02 heml; See also nfographic of Section 179 available at hetps: fassets entreprencur.com/
staric/20160128020658-scction-179-tax-deduction-infographic pg Gast visited Oct. 4, 2017,

“The library closed on March 4, 2017 and construction has begun. The new library il open in 2020.

The SBA also provides several loan programs, such as the “Microloan Program,” and the “General Small Business Loans:
7@ loan,"which secks to provide financial help for businesses with special sequirements. For more information on loans and
grants,please visit: http: ba govllaans-granesisce-what shi-offers/sha-loan-

“Determining whether it will be a Sole Proprietorship, Parenership, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Nonprofie,
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yourfirstemployee (last visited Oct. 4, 2017,

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29 | BUSINESS AND LEGAL TOOLKIT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS | GW LAW