Cohort 6 Application 2024 Cohort 6 Long-form Venture Application 1. About Your VentureVenture Name* Name of Founder*PrefixFirstLastOther Team MembersPlease list your other team members and their roles/titles in the venture.PrefixFirst NameLast NameRole/Title Venture Website PhoneEmail* Headquarters Location*The OU Impact Accelerator is open to entrepreneurs who serve the Orthodox Jewish community and can be in NYC for special events throughout the year. Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands Please indicate if the above contact information:* Personal Business How did you hear about the OU Impact Accelerator?*Past Cohort Participant / AlumnieJewishPhilanthropyFacebookImpact Accelerator Newsletter / EmailInstagramJewish LinkLinkedinMishpachaJewish ActionOnline researchOU Email (Women's Summit, Communal Services, etc.)OU Shabbat ShalomOU StaffShul emailTorah To GoWord of mouthOtherIf other, please specify:* What is your venture's mission and vision?*If you do not yet have a formal mission and vision statement, please describe your mission and vision as best as possible. A mission defines who you are and what you do. A vision states what the world would look like if you succeed.Describe your venture in 1-3 sentences.*This is what we will include on press releases, media, and more. It should be concise and CLEARLY explain what your venture does. 2. Why and HowWhat issue area do you address?*Abuse Prevention, inc. Domestic ViolenceAdvocacyArts & CultureAt-Risk YouthCoexistenceCommunity Building / EngagementDisabilities & InclusionEconomic Security & AffordabilityFamilyFertilityGeneral EducationHealth & WellnessHolocaustJewish Education & TorahLeadership DevelopmentMedia & TechnologyMental HealthMulticulturalOutreach & Engagement (inc. Kiruv)PhilanthropyPovertyProfessional DevelopmentPublic SafetyRelationship (inc. Shidduchim)SeniorsService & VolunteerismSocial ServicesWomen & GirlsOtherIf other, please specify:* What challenge do you address? Why does the Jewish community need your venture?*Share relevant statistics about this issue area that explains the need. Which populations do you serve? (Choose up to 3)* Adults Babies & Toddlers Boys Children College Students Educators Families Girls Institutions Jewish Professionals Men People living with disabilities Schools Singles Seniors Teens Women Young Families Young Professionals Other If other, please specify:* List other organizations addressing this issue.*Identify how you are unique amongst other organizations in this space. How are you addressing this issue in a new or innovative way?*Do you have an organization that you look to as a business model? (ex: "AirBnB" of pools, or the "Warby Parker" for socks.)* 3. To DateWhat year was your venture founded?*The OU Impact Accelerator will ideally select ventures in existence for 1-5 years. If a venture is still in the "idea stage" it will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.20242023202220212020201920182017 and earlierIdea / not yet launchedThe venture is:*Check all that apply. 501(c)3 Intrapreneurial project in an existing organization. Which organization (please list below)? Fiscally sponsored Idea stage/ none yet Other (please specify below) If other, please specify the organization status* What services and programs have you provided, over the last 18 months? (add a row for each service/program)*Ex. Service / Program = Support Group, Mode of Delivery = Zoom/ In-person, Frequency = Weekly, # of Clients = 10, Client Units = families, individuals, schools, shuls, etc.Service / ProgramMode of DeliveryFrequency# of ClientsClient Units Name the communities and/or institutions you currently serve.*List the communities you work in, the schools/institutions that are your clients, etc. The list does not have to be exhaustive, it is meant to give us a sense of your clients. How many employees do you have? Please input a number*Full TimePart TimeContractorsVolunteersPlease list 2-5 of your organization’s milestones since inception (dates and brief description)*4. Growth and Forward ThinkingWhat is the size of your target market?*Ex. 861 Jewish day schools in the USA, 5.3 million Jews in the United States, # of families, etc. Where do you turn to for support of your venture (other local organizations, lay leaders friends, advisors, colleagues, etc.)?*Please list each resource, a brief description (if not self-explanatory), and how often you turn to this resource. What metrics do you use to evaluate your success? When and how do you currently evaluate your venture on these metrics? (ex. user growth, program growth, user satisfaction, donor base, etc.)*What are 2-5 goals that you hope to accomplish over the next 5 years? Your goals should be specific and measurable.*What are your venture's biggest current or upcoming challenges? What is your plan towards approaching these challenges?*If you are selected for the Accelerator, this information will help the OU staff identify an appropriate mentor match and tailor curriculum specific to your venture needs.5. Compatibility with OU Impact AcceleratorThe Orthodox Union's mission is to enhance Jewish life by supporting, advocating, and elevating the Orthodox Jewish community. Please explain how your venture fits into the broader mission of the OU.*How do you envision the OU Impact Accelerator contributing to the progress of your organization? Why would it be game-changing for you and/or your organization?*What are the best ways the Orthodox Union can support your venture?*ONLY SELECT 2-3 OPTIONS Accounting and Financial Management Awareness Departmental Networks (Synagogue Services, JLIC, NCSY, Yachad, etc.) Evaluation Fundraising Goal setting Governance and Board Development Grant Writing Human Resources Leadership Legal Considerations Marketing Mentorship Mission and Vision Operations Personal Growth Strategy and Business Planning Team Management 6. All About YouShare your personal biography. It should be no more than one paragraph. If there is more than one founder or senior leader, please include all biographies. This should be written in third person.*Make sure to include any relevant experience you have. This is the type of biography that would be used in a brochure or a media release. Why are you the right leader for this venture? And what does success look like for you in this venture?*Please rate on 0-5, your confidence in your ability to: (Please be honest, as this rating will help us cater the Accelerator curriculum to your needs).*0 - No confidence12345 - Extremely confidentLead your organization (Leadership)Operate your organization (Operations - create budgets, legal compliance, HR, insurance, etc.)Work with a Board of Directors (Governance)Create an actionable strategy for the future (Strategy)FundraiseMarket your venture (Marketing, PR, and Communications)Evaluate your success or impact (Evaluation)Incorporate feedback and guidanceShare how you have dealt with challenges and making difficult decision.*7. GeneralDo you have a Board of Directors / Advisors?* Yes No Please list your board membersPrefixFirst NameLast Name Have you been part of any other fellowship, incubator, or accelerator (Upstart, NextDor, Chesed Leadership Program, etc.)?*Have you or your spouse (if relevant) ever worked at, contracted with or volunteered for the OU or any OU programs?*If so, in what department, who was your/their direct supervisor and what year?Have you or your organization ever published publicly? This includes articles, books, blogs, social media, news outlets, etc.*If yes, please add names you or your organization has been published under (maiden names, other leaders, past names of the organizations, etc.). Optional to provide relevant links.8. FinancialsFor the below, please list your actual and planned revenue for the years. List actual (left) and planned / dream (right). If not relevant, include N/A. 2021*ActualPlanned2022*ActualPlanned2023*ActualPlanned2024*ProjectedPlannedPlease provide a copy of your organization’s FY 23 operating budget or most recent one-year budget document.* Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, gif, png, pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 512 MB. Where do you currently get your funding? Please check all that apply.* Individual Donors Contract Crowd-funding (Kickstarter, etc.) Earned Revenue Foundation Founder(s) Government Corporate Sponsorship Venture Capital Other If other, please specify* 9. Reference and Venture InformationPlease include references for your venture. You can include up to one professional or academic reference. Reference 1*Please provide two references (users, donors, or clients). (Name, Email or Phone #, Relationship)NameContact informationRelationshipThe contact information for Reference 1 is:* Phone Email Reference 2*Please provide two references (users, donors, or clients) (Name, Email or Phone #, Relationship)NameContact informationRelationshipThe contact information for Reference 2 is:* Phone Email Elevator pitch - provide a link to a video about your organization (optional) Does your organization have any social media accounts? If so, please list and provide account names.*If your nonprofit does not have these accounts, please write NAFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterOtherAt this time, can you fully commit to the Accelerator program?*The Impact Accelerator educational program will run from March 2025 to September 2025. You will be engaging in educational workshops, mentorship and coaching, and cohort building activities. There will be both synchronous and asynchronous learning. NYC In-person dates: March 25-26, 2025; May 20-21, 2025; September 9-10, 2025. Virtual Times will be announced upon acceptance into the Cohort. Additionally, there will be monthly half hour check-ins with the Impact Accelerator team and hour meetings with mentors. Please ensure that you will be able to commit to these dates and times.YesNoUnsureResume*Please include your professional resumeAccepted file types: jpg, jpeg, gif, png, pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 512 MB.Headshot*Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, gif, png, pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 512 MB.LogoPlease upload a high-quality version of your company's logo. Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, gif, png, pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 512 MB.Additional Documents (optional)Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, gif, png, pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 512 MB.10. DisclaimerApplications for participation in the OU Impact Accelerator program will be considered on their merits and without regard to the race, color, gender, national origin, marital status, age or disability of the applicants and/or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law where applicable. The Orthodox Union is a religious organization, and this policy may be applied in a manner consistent with religious principles, as permitted by applicable law.
