Senior Dental Services Program

The Lincoln & Gilbert Small Business Relief Grants are designed to support Black (MBE) employer firms in Cincinnati, Ohio. The primary mission of this initiative is to significantly increase the number of Black employer firms in Cincinnati, aiming to reach over 1,000 within five years. This aligns with a strategic priority to foster economic development and empower minority-owned businesses in the region. The target beneficiaries for these grants are small, medium, and large Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) that are based on revenue. Additionally, the grants are open to MBEs and individuals who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, or those that predominantly serve businesses disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The impact goal is to provide crucial financial relief and support for these businesses, helping them to stabilize and grow during challenging economic times. The program prioritizes businesses based on their revenue tiers, offering different grant amounts accordingly. There are three applicant tiers: businesses with $10,000 to $75,000 in revenue are eligible for a $2,500 grant; those with $75,000 to $250,000 in revenue can receive a $5,000 grant; and businesses with $250,000 to $1.5 million in revenue are eligible for a $15,000 grant. This tiered approach ensures that businesses of varying sizes can access appropriate levels of support. The expected outcomes of the Lincoln & Gilbert Initiative include a substantial increase in the number of Black employer firms in Cincinnati. Measurable results will be tracked by monitoring the growth of these firms and their contributions to the local economy. The strategic theory of change is that by leveraging the knowledge and expertise of established economic development organizations—such as the Urban League of Greater Southwest Ohio, The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, the Cincinnati Chamber USA Minority Business Accelerator, the Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative (GCMI), MORTAR, and Lightship Foundation—the program can effectively provide the resources and support necessary to achieve its ambitious growth targets for MBEs.