Tag: 3BL

Originally published by The Salvation Army

In the second quarter of 2023, FedEx’s mobile feeding units proved vital in The Salvation Army’s efforts to serve their communities. The mobile feeding units were used in outreach events, disaster relief, and homeless feeding programs, and over this quarter the mobile canteens were deployed to 47 different events, with over 32,562 people served. The Salvation Army is greatly appreciative of the support of FedEx and their donation of mobile feeding units and will continue to utilize them to further support our communities.

Disaster Response

Tornadoes in Indiana: On March 31st, 2023, a tornado swept across Indiana and caused significant damage in several counties. The FedEx canteen was engaged immediately to support survivors, first responders, city workers, and utility crews. In Sullivan, Indiana, the canteen was used by disaster workers for weeks after the tornado. Over 50 volunteers served 6,596 meals, 7,667 snacks, and 6,393 drinks. Additionally, disaster workers provided Bibles, blankets, comfort kits, and toys and 15 survivors were provided with Emotional and Spiritual Care by trained Emergency Disaster Services workers. Over 10,000 survivors were served with the help of The Salvation Army and the FedEx canteen.

Fires in Western Pennsylvania: The Salvation Army FedEx canteens were used by Emergency Disaster Services teams to respond to 8 fires in the following counties in Pennsylvania over the course of April, May, and June (Braddock, Glassport, West Mifflin, East Pittsburgh, and Pitcarin). Salvation Army volunteers and officers spent hours at the scenes of the fires, providing support to both survivors and first responders. Emergency Disaster Services workers provided meals, drinks, blankets, and snacks, reaching over 455 individuals affected by the fires.

Tornadoes in Tennessee: Beginning on March 31st and continuing through the early hours of April 1st, tornadoes blew through Tennessee, ultimately damaging dozens of homes and taking the lives of several Tennessee residents. The Salvation Army Kentucky & Tennessee Division deployed the FedEx canteen to serve those impacted, focusing their efforts on Wynne, Arkansas, and Covington, Tennessee. The FedEx canteen was used by disaster workers to serve for two days in Wynne, Arkansas and for three days in Covington, Tennessee. In Wynne, Arkansas, disaster workers partnered with the fire department to serve meals, snacks, and drinks to survivors and first responders. In Covington, Tennessee, the disaster workers partnered with the police department who were able to escort the team to the most impacted areas where they served first responders. Trained disaster workers also provided Emotional & Spiritual Care to those impacted. Over the course of a 5-day response, over 100 individuals were served by The Salvation Army with the help of the FedEx canteens.

Fires in Chicago: From April to June, The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division responded to 6 fires in Chicago, Illinois and Aurora, Illinois. With the help of the FedEx canteen, Emergency Disaster Service workers provided 247 snacks, 447 drinks, and 29 meals to over 340 first responders actively fighting the fires.

Homeless Feeding and Outreach

Miami Lunch and Love Program: Since 2022, The Salvation Army of Miami-Dade, Florida has been feeding Miami’s growing homeless population through its Lunch and Love program. With the use of a FedEx canteen, volunteers set up their service in one of Miami’s “camp cities” for unsheltered homeless. In this quarter, volunteers engaged with 135 homeless individuals and distributed over 100 meals, 135 snack packs and drinks, and 30 first aid kits. Additionally, The Salvation Army provided 12 people with emotional and spiritual support and referred seven (7) people to additional Salvation Army services. As the number of Miami’s unsheltered homeless continues to grow, the need for this service is vital; The Salvation Army of Miami-Dade hopes to increase this program from biweekly to weekly feedings.

Baltimore FeedMore Program: The Potomac Division of The Salvation Army has established the FeedMore program with the use of a FedEx canteen. Every Friday, the canteen runs a route with 4 set stops throughout the city, so individuals in need know where and when to find the provided resources. 18 Salvation Army officers and volunteers have engaged with over 7,000 Baltimore residents, serving 7,514 meals and snacks, 7,801 drinks, and distributing over 3,000 hygiene kits.

Baltimore Cornbread Café: Twice a week, The Salvation Army Baltimore Temple Corps in the Potomac Division holds a free feeding program for food-insecure residents. Using the FedEx canteens, Salvation Army volunteers and officers have served thousands of meals, snacks, and drinks, and have distributed 250 hygiene kits. This quarter, Salvation Army officers and volunteers have engaged with 1,186 food-insecure individuals in the Baltimore area with the help of the FedEx canteen.

Danville Mobile Feeding Program: The Salvation Army FedEx canteen previously located in the Washington, DC area was approved for relocation to Danville, Virginia. The FedEx canteen was quickly integrated into a new mobile feeding program that serves 45 sites per week and works with multiple community partners to serve those experiencing food insecurity in the community. In Danville, The Salvation Army has formed partnerships with local churches to provide daily assistance to food-insecure individuals in the community. The FedEx canteen is used to serve community members in 45 different feeding locations and have engaged with 447 locals by providing hot meals, snacks, drinks, and hygiene kits to anyone in need.

New Orleans Homeless Feeding Program: Every Tuesday and Thursday in New Orleans, Louisiana, Salvation Army disaster workers serve meals to the New Orleans’ homeless population. Since April 1st of this year, The Salvation Army Alabama, Louisiana & Mississippi division has served 1,872 homeless individuals by providing thousands of meals, snacks, and drinks with the help of FedEx canteen.

Trenton Mobile Feeding Program: Every Friday evening in Trenton, New Jersey, a volunteer-led team takes the canteen to multiple locations in the city to provide prepared meals, pantry boxes, and various other items to vulnerable populations. These populations include the homeless, housing and food insecure, low-income, migrants, and seniors. The Salvation Army-Trenton Corps collaborates regularly with other service providers in Trenton such as Trenton Police, interfaith coalitions, Mercer County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), and Trenton Rescue Mission for guidance on which locations to serve and to provide additional resources for clients. In the 2nd quarter alone, the Trenton mobile feeding program has served 2,685 individuals, and has distributed 272 masks, 261 socks, 200 comfort kits, and 14 toys.

San Francisco Homeless Outreach & Food Program: Every Friday night students from The Salvation Army’s Culinary Training Academy prepare and serve food to San Francisco’s homeless population. Most of the Culinary Training Academy’s students were homeless or food-insecure previously and have found new beginnings in The Salvation Army’s rehab and job training programs. This program has served 3,600 meals and drinks, reaching thousands of homeless individuals.

Special Events 

Lawrenceville Police Appreciation Lunch: On June 2nd, The Salvation Army Georgia Division provided lunch for the entire police department of Lawrenceville, Georgia to show their appreciation for their service to the community. 11 Salvation Army officers and volunteers served 75 meals for the entire police force out of the FedEx canteen.

Indiana United Front 23: In Butlerville, Indiana, The Salvation Army Indiana Division provided food and hydration to the Indiana National Guardsman, firefighters, and the Israeli Defense Force during a 24-hour training exercise. The Salvation Army team used the training exercise to simulate deployment to a disaster site and train on the mobile kitchen of the canteen. Captain Vinal Lee, the Public Information Officer for this exercise, shared that “These training moments for FEMA, National Guard, and Israeli military are just as much an opportunity for us to train and exercise our personnel and resources. Our ability to deploy team members from around the state, mobilize resources, and maintain continuity of service around the state is a great opportunity for us to learn and grow as an organization.” Using the kitchen of the FedEx canteen, 12 officers and volunteers served 244 meals, 931 snacks, and 305 drinks to 95 people.

National Donut Day in Pittsburgh: National Donut Day, celebrated yearly on the first Friday of June, is a holiday created by The Salvation Army in 1938. During World War II, The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies” distributed donuts to soldiers as a morale boost and popularized the donut in the United States. The Salvation Army celebrates National Donut Day yearly, and this year in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, nine (9) Salvation Army employees and volunteers distributed 35 dozen donuts to veterans at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Aspinwall with the help of the FedEx canteens.

Service Extension Camp: In Independence, Missouri, the Kansas & Western Missouri Division of The Salvation Army collaborated with their Service Extension Unit and children’s camp. Three (3) volunteers served 120 meals and 150 snacks and drinks to campers and their families, also providing tours of the canteen, and demonstrating to campers and parents alike how the mobile kitchens are used.

Chicago Funerals & Wakes: In April, Emergency Disaster Services workers at The Salvation Army deployed the canteen to serve at firefighter’s funerals and wakes in Chicago, Illinois and Norridge, Illinois. In May, Emergency Disaster Services used the FedEx canteen to serve drinks and snacks to first responders working and attending the wake and funeral of a Chicago police officer. Between the 5 total events, volunteers served 752 snacks and 988 drinks.

Results/Outcomes:

Total number of meals served: 26,302Total number of snacks served: 25,983Total number of drinks served: 29,591Total number hygiene/comfort kits distributed: 3,731Total number of miscellaneous items distributed (blankets, toys, socks): 291Total Number referrals to The Salvation Army programs and Non-Salvation Army programs: 15

View original content from The Salvation Army here. Republished with permission.

Originally published in Bread Financial’s 2022 Report

I’m pleased to share Bread Financial’s 2022 ESG report, which highlights our accomplishments in advancing our ESG strategy and driving responsibility and accountability throughout our organization. Together with our Board of Directors, our leadership team, and all of my colleagues, we have built a solid foundation from which we are accelerating our ESG goals and deepening our commitment to responsible business practices.

We prioritize our ESG strategy across five key areas: Managing Our Business Responsibly, Empowering Our Customers, Engaging Our Associates, Protecting Our Planet, and Creating Possibilities for Our Communities. During the year, we continued to advance initiatives across all of these areas including risk management, financial wellness,diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), human capital management, climate action and community investment.

In 2022, our focus was on ensuring that our ESG strategy and ambitions were manifest in our key business goals and imperatives. We worked diligently on integrating ESG principles into our business strategy and operations, setting new baselines for key metrics to help measure and manage our progress. We infused DE&I more deliberately throughout our workplace, workforce marketplace and community.

During the year, initiatives to support our associates were front and center, including improved competitive compensation, significantly enhanced benefits, flexibility in where they work, and access to a robust mental wellness platform. We relaunched eight associate-led Business Resource Groups (BRGs) and provided them with training and resources to help us build a more inclusive, multidimensional culture.

With the ambition to help build a bright financial future for all, our cross-functional internal teams made progress onlaunching a financial wellness hub with resources intended to educate and empower our customers. We also pledged to invest $1 million in tools and programs that further promote financial inclusion in our community.

We successfully executed against all priorities in our 2022 Climate Action Roadmap, which included a comprehensive energy audit of our facilities, a climate risk assessment, and scenario analysis. Notably, this marks our first year reporting in accordance with TCFD.

With significant success executing on our multiyear business transformation and rebranding to Bread Financial, this is an exciting time for our company. We look forward to communicating our continued progress across all focus areas of our ESG strategy as we work to align our policies and actions with evolving stakeholder expectations and ESG reporting standards.

Dana Beckman
Head of Sustainability

To learn more about Bread Financial’s ESG Governance Strategy, click here to view their 2022 ESG Report.

POWELL, Ohio, September 1, 2023 /3BL/ – Fifth Third Bank teamed up with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to name their first hatchling of 2023 and to provide a chance for the winning name recipient to start their own nest egg. After receiving nearly 700 entries between July 10 and August 9, the winning name of the rose-breasted grosbeak that hatched on May 27 was announced today during an unveiling event. Welcome…Pico!

Elizabeth Salazar submitted the winning name, and her family will receive $530 toward a college savings plan, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank. Fifth Third also made a $530 donation to the Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund.

Fifth Third Bank wanted to build a “nest egg” to not only help with conservation efforts, but to also raise awareness of starting a “nest egg” for college savings. The winner receives a Gift of College gift card to encourage starting a 529 savings program for their family.

“Back to school time is a reminder that each school year brings children one year closer to college,” said Fifth Third Bank Director of Marketing Elizabeth Boyuk. “By providing a “nest egg” opportunity to start saving for college, this family can now build off this contribution and continue to add to it and watch it grow.”

The Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund supports saving wildlife throughout their range locally, nationally, and worldwide, and exists to fulfill the Zoo’s mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.

“We are proud to partner with Fifth Third Bank on this exciting nest egg campaign. Not only does it encourage nurturing families to help grow educational opportunities and knowledge, but it represents our collective commitment to raising awareness about how we can make a difference for the future of wildlife, including songbirds like Pico that we find in our own backyards!” said Dr. Michael Kreger, Vice President of Conservation at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Rose-breasted grosbeaks are medium-sized songbirds with a stocky build and large triangular-shaped beak. Males are black and white with a bright red marking on their chest while females are brown with a white stripe over their eyes. They are found throughout much of North America, particularly in the east, and are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders. Rose-breasted grosbeaks can also be identified by their melodious songs and short, distinctive calls, which are sometimes compared to the sound of sneakers on a gymnasium floor.

To learn more about how to start a college education savings account, click here: 529 Education Savings and CD | Fifth Third Bank (53.com)

For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, events, and more, be sure to follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and visit the website at ColumbusZoo.org.

About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide to continue the mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

Sustainability reporting is here to stay. Organizations of all shapes and sizes are under increasing pressure to be open and transparent about the impact they have on the people and places around them. It’s a vital component of any organization’s ongoing success.

However, the global sustainability reporting landscape is changing fast. Navigating what and how to report can be challenging. Which standards should you follow? How do they all work together? What do all the different terms and abbreviations mean? Where do you start?

That’s where GRI comes in – we’re here to help.

The GRI Academy – a world-leading education platform for impact reporting – has developed a new online course to guide you through the world of sustainability reporting.

Transparency for Tomorrow: Decoding the Sustainability Reporting Landscape.

What does the course cover?

Over the course, you’ll learn:

The basics: the why, who, what and how of sustainability reportingCurrent trends in sustainability reporting: including external assurance and important concepts like ‘double materiality’The different reporting instruments shaping the landscape of sustainability reporting: how do they compare? What do they cover? Who do they apply to? How do they work together?Sustainability reporting of the future: how it’s likely to evolve and which reporting approach might work best for your organization to remain fit for the future.

The course will be regularly updated to reflect ongoing changes in the global sustainability reporting landscape.

Who should take this course?

No matter where you are in the world, no matter your level of experience, there’s something for everyone involved with sustainability reporting. This course will give you the in-depth understanding you need to drive reporting within your organization. You’ll be able to decide which approach is the right one for you and how you can play your part in creating a world of shared prosperity and a flourishing planet for future generations.

How do I register?

The course is available online and on demand. That means you can complete it how, when, and where you want, at your own pace and in your own time. It’s available on the GRI Academy, where you’ll also find a wide range of training courses for both new and experienced sustainability reporters. And if you enroll before 1 October 2023, you’ll have access to our special launch price of €149, instead of our normal price of €195.

Sustainability reporting is here to stay. Organizations of all shapes and sizes are under increasing pressure to be open and transparent about the impact they have on the people and places around them. It’s a vital component of any organization’s ongoing success.

However, the global sustainability reporting landscape is changing fast. Navigating what and how to report can be challenging. Which standards should you follow? How do they all work together? What do all the different terms and abbreviations mean? Where do you start?

That’s where GRI comes in – we’re here to help.

The GRI Academy – a world-leading education platform for impact reporting – has developed a new online course to guide you through the world of sustainability reporting.

Transparency for Tomorrow: Decoding the Sustainability Reporting Landscape.

What does the course cover?

Over the course, you’ll learn:

The basics: the why, who, what and how of sustainability reportingCurrent trends in sustainability reporting: including external assurance and important concepts like ‘double materiality’The different reporting instruments shaping the landscape of sustainability reporting: how do they compare? What do they cover? Who do they apply to? How do they work together?Sustainability reporting of the future: how it’s likely to evolve and which reporting approach might work best for your organization to remain fit for the future.

The course will be regularly updated to reflect ongoing changes in the global sustainability reporting landscape.

Who should take this course?

No matter where you are in the world, no matter your level of experience, there’s something for everyone involved with sustainability reporting. This course will give you the in-depth understanding you need to drive reporting within your organization. You’ll be able to decide which approach is the right one for you and how you can play your part in creating a world of shared prosperity and a flourishing planet for future generations.

How do I register?

The course is available online and on demand. That means you can complete it how, when, and where you want, at your own pace and in your own time. It’s available on the GRI Academy, where you’ll also find a wide range of training courses for both new and experienced sustainability reporters. And if you enroll before 1 October 2023, you’ll have access to our special launch price of €149, instead of our normal price of €195.

The North America region for GRI has been piloting a program that would ultimately enable a large number of students in the Sustainability field to graduate with GRI Professional Certification credentials at a substantially reduced cost. Currently in a small pilot program with two leading Sustainability schools in the Northeast and Midwest, the program is designed to provide supplemental learning opportunities for professional growth. Not embedded directly into the curriculum, this program is delivered via the GRI Academy, an on-line learning platform that offers asynchronous on-demand courses and can be taken on a schedule that fits the students’ needs. The program is comprised of four fundamental courses and after completing the courses, passing an on-line proctored exam is required to gain the actual GRI Professional Certification credential.

The GRI Academy offers not only a pathway to gain the GRI Certified Sustainability Professional credential, but also courses on GRI Sector Standards such as Oil & Gas and GRI Topic Standards such as Tax and Waste

As of July 2023, 517 GRI Sustainability Professional Certifications have been achieved in North America, 82.5% of which are from the US. The interest in sustainability reporting know-how and the credential’s relevance in North America continue to grow with more stakeholders demanding increased transparency and accountability. Regional Sustainability and ESG reporting proficiency is strengthening as a result of these accessible courses and the certification program. Individuals in all stages of their career, from students through various management levels, disciplines and industries are enrolling in the courses and certification program and increasing their value and impact in their sustainability roles. GRI Sustainability Professionals are helping their organizations take steps to strengthen their sustainability practices while enhancing their career prospects.

GRI in North America is looking to expand the pilot to include a much wider number of Sustainability schools in the coming weeks and months. In addition, GRI in North America is developing plans to expand access to this opportunity to Alumni networks as well, though no formal program is in place for this. If these opportunities sound of interest to your university, please reach out to Gina Lee at wu@globalreporting.org.

You can learn more about GRI Professional Certification and all the GRI courses available through the GRI Academy at www.globalreporting.org/reporting-support/gri-academy/ . As the leading global provider of impact reporting standards, GRI remains steadfastly committed to raising the awareness and knowledge of the GRI Standards to enable organizations to report on their impacts in the economy, environment, and human rights.

The North America region for GRI has been piloting a program that would ultimately enable a large number of students in the Sustainability field to graduate with GRI Professional Certification credentials at a substantially reduced cost. Currently in a small pilot program with two leading Sustainability schools in the Northeast and Midwest, the program is designed to provide supplemental learning opportunities for professional growth. Not embedded directly into the curriculum, this program is delivered via the GRI Academy, an on-line learning platform that offers asynchronous on-demand courses and can be taken on a schedule that fits the students’ needs. The program is comprised of four fundamental courses and after completing the courses, passing an on-line proctored exam is required to gain the actual GRI Professional Certification credential.

The GRI Academy offers not only a pathway to gain the GRI Certified Sustainability Professional credential, but also courses on GRI Sector Standards such as Oil & Gas and GRI Topic Standards such as Tax and Waste

As of July 2023, 517 GRI Sustainability Professional Certifications have been achieved in North America, 82.5% of which are from the US. The interest in sustainability reporting know-how and the credential’s relevance in North America continue to grow with more stakeholders demanding increased transparency and accountability. Regional Sustainability and ESG reporting proficiency is strengthening as a result of these accessible courses and the certification program. Individuals in all stages of their career, from students through various management levels, disciplines and industries are enrolling in the courses and certification program and increasing their value and impact in their sustainability roles. GRI Sustainability Professionals are helping their organizations take steps to strengthen their sustainability practices while enhancing their career prospects.

GRI in North America is looking to expand the pilot to include a much wider number of Sustainability schools in the coming weeks and months. In addition, GRI in North America is developing plans to expand access to this opportunity to Alumni networks as well, though no formal program is in place for this. If these opportunities sound of interest to your university, please reach out to Gina Lee at wu@globalreporting.org.

You can learn more about GRI Professional Certification and all the GRI courses available through the GRI Academy at www.globalreporting.org/reporting-support/gri-academy/ . As the leading global provider of impact reporting standards, GRI remains steadfastly committed to raising the awareness and knowledge of the GRI Standards to enable organizations to report on their impacts in the economy, environment, and human rights.

As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative

Venture Forward is a research initiative launched in 2018 that quantifies the presence and impact of over 21 million online microbusinesses on their local economies, providing a unique view into the attitudes, demographics, and needs of these entrepreneurs.

The Venture Forward Report is published annually. It offers a deep dive into the latest trends of online microbusinesses, their outsized impact, and hotspots of growth by city.

Our goal is to empower anyone who advocates for entrepreneurs with robust data and insights that can’t be found elsewhere.

Download the Full Report

Snapshot of the State of Microbusinesses

Venture Forward quantifies the presence and impact of over 21 million online microbusinesses on their local economies. This provides a unique view into the attitudes, demographics, and needs of these entrepreneurs. GoDaddy knows that in order to truly advocate and empower entrepreneurs, you first have to really understand them. So in 2018, we began studying closely and analyzing millions of microbusinesses. A microbussines is defined as a discrete domain name with an active website. Our team has found that the majority of whom have fewer than 10 employees. We measured their effect on incomes and unemployment, together with leading academics at the University of Iowa and University of Arizona, and found outsized impact.

In 2019, we began surveying the entrepreneurs who own these ventures nationally and across cities at least once a year. These surveys help us better understand their mindsets and circumstances. In 2020, we built a proprietary Microbusiness Activity Index with economists at UCLA Anderson Forecast. We created a data hub to update and share our data publicly so those advocating for and studying entrepreneurs could access more information, including measurements of microbusiness density, updated every quarter.

In 2021, we expanded our research to the United Kingdom, and are working now to broaden our coverage internationally. For more details on our research methodology and other findings, please read on the Venture Forward website or see our FAQs.

Each additional microbusiness per 100 people in a county increases household median income by almost $500/year. Also, about seven new jobs are created by each microbusiness entrepreneur on a county level.

Microbusiness Activity Index

GoDaddy Venture Forward and UCLA Anderson Forecast economists come together to develop a way to capture microbusiness activity via the Microbusiness Activity Index (“MAI”), which is contains three sub-indices:

Infrastructure Index – Measures how ready for microbusiness entrepreneurship an area is, as indicated by the level of physical infrastructure (internet) and intellectual capital available in the area.

Participation Index – The number and growth rate of both GoDaddy online microbusinesses in the area and the entrepreneurs who create them.

Engagement Index – A combination of 7 activity measures, such as economic footprint and website traffic levels.

Download the Full Report

U.S. National Microbusiness Survey Results

Since 2019, Venture Forward has surveyed over 30,000 online entrepreneurs. Ahead are highlights from the survey of U.S. microbusinesses in February 2023. It also features highlights from a fresh GoDaddy survey of small businesses on their perceptions of the American Dream.

In February 2023, Venture Forward completed its sixth national survey of 3,600+ entrepreneurs who own microbusinesses. These are a few highlights; the full report can be found here.

1 in 7 microbusinesses started since the pandemic were founded by black women95% of microbusinesses have less than 10 employees73% of microbusinesses have a positive outlook for their business

Entrepreneurs tend to have a more positive outlook on the next six months for their businesses compared to the economy. This finding has been true since we started asking in 2020.

GoDaddy Special Report

The Changing American Dream

GoDaddy surveyed online and brick-and-mortar U.S. small business owners in June 2023 to understand their motivations behind entrepreneurship and the latest perceptions of the American Dream. The following are some highlights; the full report is available for download here.

Where We’ve Been… and Where We’re Going

Timeline: Venture Forward Microbusiness Reports

Over the years, we’re proud to have published and partnered on key reports. View more data downloads, recent press, and our research methodology at Venture Forward.

We’re here to support entrepreneurs. Contact GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research team at VentureForward@godaddy.com.

Download the Full Report

About Venture Forward 
Venture Forward is a research initiative GoDaddy launched in 2018 to quantify the impact of more than 20 million microbusinesses on the economy and spotlight the attitudes, demographics and needs of the entrepreneurs who launch and grow them. GoDaddy regularly publishes updates of this data, localized to the city level, and offers it as a resource to all who support and advocate on behalf of small businesses worldwide.

More Articles by Venture Forward

As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative

Venture Forward is a research initiative launched in 2018 that quantifies the presence and impact of over 21 million online microbusinesses on their local economies, providing a unique view into the attitudes, demographics, and needs of these entrepreneurs.

The Venture Forward Report is published annually. It offers a deep dive into the latest trends of online microbusinesses, their outsized impact, and hotspots of growth by city.

Our goal is to empower anyone who advocates for entrepreneurs with robust data and insights that can’t be found elsewhere.

Download the Full Report

Snapshot of the State of Microbusinesses

Venture Forward quantifies the presence and impact of over 21 million online microbusinesses on their local economies. This provides a unique view into the attitudes, demographics, and needs of these entrepreneurs. GoDaddy knows that in order to truly advocate and empower entrepreneurs, you first have to really understand them. So in 2018, we began studying closely and analyzing millions of microbusinesses. A microbussines is defined as a discrete domain name with an active website. Our team has found that the majority of whom have fewer than 10 employees. We measured their effect on incomes and unemployment, together with leading academics at the University of Iowa and University of Arizona, and found outsized impact.

In 2019, we began surveying the entrepreneurs who own these ventures nationally and across cities at least once a year. These surveys help us better understand their mindsets and circumstances. In 2020, we built a proprietary Microbusiness Activity Index with economists at UCLA Anderson Forecast. We created a data hub to update and share our data publicly so those advocating for and studying entrepreneurs could access more information, including measurements of microbusiness density, updated every quarter.

In 2021, we expanded our research to the United Kingdom, and are working now to broaden our coverage internationally. For more details on our research methodology and other findings, please read on the Venture Forward website or see our FAQs.

Each additional microbusiness per 100 people in a county increases household median income by almost $500/year. Also, about seven new jobs are created by each microbusiness entrepreneur on a county level.

Microbusiness Activity Index

GoDaddy Venture Forward and UCLA Anderson Forecast economists come together to develop a way to capture microbusiness activity via the Microbusiness Activity Index (“MAI”), which is contains three sub-indices:

Infrastructure Index – Measures how ready for microbusiness entrepreneurship an area is, as indicated by the level of physical infrastructure (internet) and intellectual capital available in the area.

Participation Index – The number and growth rate of both GoDaddy online microbusinesses in the area and the entrepreneurs who create them.

Engagement Index – A combination of 7 activity measures, such as economic footprint and website traffic levels.

Download the Full Report

U.S. National Microbusiness Survey Results

Since 2019, Venture Forward has surveyed over 30,000 online entrepreneurs. Ahead are highlights from the survey of U.S. microbusinesses in February 2023. It also features highlights from a fresh GoDaddy survey of small businesses on their perceptions of the American Dream.

In February 2023, Venture Forward completed its sixth national survey of 3,600+ entrepreneurs who own microbusinesses. These are a few highlights; the full report can be found here.

1 in 7 microbusinesses started since the pandemic were founded by black women95% of microbusinesses have less than 10 employees73% of microbusinesses have a positive outlook for their business

Entrepreneurs tend to have a more positive outlook on the next six months for their businesses compared to the economy. This finding has been true since we started asking in 2020.

GoDaddy Special Report

The Changing American Dream

GoDaddy surveyed online and brick-and-mortar U.S. small business owners in June 2023 to understand their motivations behind entrepreneurship and the latest perceptions of the American Dream. The following are some highlights; the full report is available for download here.

Where We’ve Been… and Where We’re Going

Timeline: Venture Forward Microbusiness Reports

Over the years, we’re proud to have published and partnered on key reports. View more data downloads, recent press, and our research methodology at Venture Forward.

We’re here to support entrepreneurs. Contact GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research team at VentureForward@godaddy.com.

Download the Full Report

About Venture Forward 
Venture Forward is a research initiative GoDaddy launched in 2018 to quantify the impact of more than 20 million microbusinesses on the economy and spotlight the attitudes, demographics and needs of the entrepreneurs who launch and grow them. GoDaddy regularly publishes updates of this data, localized to the city level, and offers it as a resource to all who support and advocate on behalf of small businesses worldwide.

More Articles by Venture Forward

By Kim Borges

During National Black Business Month, Regions Bank is highlighting Black entrepreneurs and organizations like PeopleFund that are helping entrepreneurs build long-term success. Here, we spotlight a Texas small-business owner helping mothers and daughters strengthen their relationships and mental wellness. Learn more about Lacey Tezino’s unexpected path to entrepreneurship and how the Regions Foundation, a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank, is elevating small-business owners like her.

“Why did it take a terminal illness for us to get there? Why weren’t we doing that already?”

These are the questions Lacey Tezino repeatedly asked herself during her mother’s end-of-life journey. The same questions that served as a catalyst behind her launching Passport Journeys, a small business helping others avoid a similar experience.

But before we get to the end of Tezino’s journey with her mom, we need to start at its beginning.

“My childhood was unique in that I was the only Black child in my school, my church,” Tezino said of her small-town upbringing in Southeast Texas. “I was adopted by a gay white man and raised by his parents.”

The man who adopted her passed away when she was just six. At 18, Tezino decided to search for her birth mother.

“I met my mom on Mother’s Day,” Tezino said.

Both women had experienced different aspects of anguish.

“I had resentment on my side for her giving me up; she had guilt on her side,” explained Tezino. “It was frustrating.”

They worked toward understanding the other’s perspectives – two steps forward, one step back during the nine years following their reconnection. Then came devastating news.

“She was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer,” said Tezino. “It really woke us up that time was running out.”

The Road to Reconciliation

Tezino moved back to Texas from Qatar, where she’d been climbing the corporate ladder, to take care of her mom. Those initial days weren’t easy.

“There was resentment from her because of the chemotherapy’s harsh effects that led to arguments and underlying feelings,” Tezino recalled. “My mom told me, ‘I’m only doing the treatment for you.’ I also had moments of thinking, ‘How do I take care of someone who wouldn’t have taken care of me?’”

But the two began making the most of their remaining time through deep conversations.

“She wanted to be sure she had a legacy she could leave,” said Tezino. “She was very intentional about sharing stories with me. During her treatments, we leaned into our relationship needing work. When she lost her hair, I shaved my hair. It was us writing the story the way we wanted it to go.”

Those conversations planted a seed that didn’t bloom until after Tezino’s mom died in 2014. The next year, Tezino started conducting mother-daughter workshops and then creating a mother-daughter activity book she sold online.

Her experience as the I.T. director at a psychiatric hospital helped pave the way for her to launch Passport Journeys in 2022. It’s the first teletherapy app promoting intentional bonding, healing and growth between mothers and daughters. 

Each mother-daughter duo works with a therapist assigned to their journey.

“I want therapists who have their own story with their mom or their daughter,” said Tezino.

The Path to PeopleFund

When Tezino began exploring ways to grow Passport Journeys, she turned to Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) PeopleFund for support. The organization empowers under-resourced Texas entrepreneurs through education and training programs, coaching and loans. The Regions Foundation has worked alongside PeopleFund for several years to help small businesses succeed.

Through PeopleFund’s coaching, Tezino met Anthony Lopez, a small-business specialist with the CDFI. Lopez immediately saw something special in Tezino and her business model.

“Lacey’s positivity and ‘never say quit’ attitude are strong attributes for a business owner,” said Lopez. “The services Passport Journey provides can shed some light for those who are going through the same dark journey Lacey did, maybe meaning the road won’t be so difficult for them. By sharing her experience and knowledge, Lacey is shining a light to inspire others.”

Tezino will tell you Lopez has certainly inspired her.

“Anthony is motivational; he’s reliable,” she said. “He listens; he really cares about me; he always sends great notes after our calls to share what we covered. And he gets me pumped up before I pitch my business to others.”

The services Passport Journey provides can shed some light for those who are going through the same dark journey Lacey did, maybe meaning the road won’t be so difficult for them. 

Anthony Lopez, small-business specialist at Regions

Tezino also received a $50,000 loan from PeopleFund to help with expanding Passport Journeys, which now has nine therapists serving mother-daughter duos.

In addition to growing her company, Tezino recently wrote a memoir called “Therapy After Mom Died.”

“I don’t think I properly grieved my mom until 2020 when I began my own teletherapy journey,” she said. “Our last year together was an interesting year, a beautiful year, a painful year. I want to build a business that urges other mother-daughter pairs to build a relationship that doesn’t require a terminal illness.”

It’s a journey Tezino never anticipated. The memories are still painful at times. But the seeds that were sown are still blooming – making relationships brighter for other daughters and mothers whose journeys are far from over.

Capital: Launching A Springboard for Small Business Success

Similar to the mother-daughter relationships served by Passport Journeys, PeopleFund loan officer Cindy Urrutia will tell you each client she assists navigates their own small-business path as well. Urrutia, who worked with Lacey Tezino, shares more here.

“Starting a business is a sensitive time for any entrepreneur in understanding how much capital they need and how to best use it to succeed,” said Urrutia. “The most rewarding part of being a loan officer is having the opportunity to help my client’s idea become a reality! PeopleFund does that by helping small businesses bridge expenses like payroll or buying equipment and furniture to complete their new space.

“We’re here to help business owners start stress free. That matters because small businesses are essential to our communities in creating new jobs and contributing to economic growth.”

About the Regions Foundation 
The Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.