CORE: Compliance, Operations, and Readiness Education

CORE: Compliance, Operations, and Readiness Education is sponsored by County of San Diego. The CORE Program provides free bookkeeping support to help small businesses and nonprofits in San Diego County strengthen their operations and training to meet compliance requirements.

SD County Program - Founders First CDC County of San Diego initiative in partnership with Founders First CDC. San Diego County CORE & BUILD Programs Are you a small business or nonprofit in San Diego County? You may qualify for free tools, training, and expert support to help you thrive.

About The CORE and BUILD Programs The CORE Program provides free bookkeeping support to help small businesses and nonprofits in San Diego County strengthen their operations and training to meet compliance requirements. The BUILD Program assists businesses with insurance and bonding needs in pursuing contracting opportunities with the County of San Diego.

Compliance, Operations, and Readiness Education What This Program Supports Built for businesses that want to: Strengthen internal operations Follow labor laws with confidence Build long term financial sustainability Up to 100 hours of bookkeeping support Labor law compliance training Access to the Passport platform Help strengthening financial and back office systems Which Businesses Should Apply Headquartered in San Diego County Small businesses and nonprofits In operation for 2 or more years Employs between 2 and 10 people Bonding and Underwriting Insurance for Local Development What This Program Supports Built for businesses that want to: Overcome bonding and insurance barriers Meet County contracting requirements Prepare to apply for County contracts 1-on-1 bonding and insurance support Help identifying and securing required coverage Subsidies to offset bonding or insurance costs when eligible Access to contract readiness tools Which Businesses Should Apply Headquartered in San Diego County Small businesses and nonprofits Interested in applying for County contracts Especially encouraged for first time or new bidders Be among the first 100 businesses to receive expert guidance and resources to move your business forward.

Is this program available for nonprofit organizations? Yes, both for profit and nonprofit organizations can apply. My business serves clients in San Diego County, but we’re not based there.

Do we still qualify? Unfortunately, no. To be eligible for the CORE or BUILD programs, your business must be headquartered in San Diego County. While we appreciate businesses that serve the region, this pilot program is specifically designed to support companies physically based within the county.

Am I guaranteed a contract with the county by participating? Although you are not guaranteed, you are provided with the resources to support your application should you qualify for an open opportunity. I already have a bookkeeper, will the bookkeeping services replace mine?

It’s great that you have a bookkeeper. The services provided are offered to support your business and guide your team. It is your decision if you choose to change providers, however the program assessments and guidance will be provided from our list of bookkeepers.

I do not have financials available to upload, what options do you have? A template P&L is provided in the application for you to use. Please complete to the best of your ability.

How will I know if I am accepted? A team member from Founders First CDC will connect with you via email and phone on next steps or if any additional information is needed. You can also reach out to info@foundersfirstcdc.

org What is the County of San Diego definition of small business?

Meets at least one of the following criteria: Your main office or headquarters is in San Diego County You have a physical location in San Diego County where regular business work is done You are part of a legal partnership or joint venture where at least one member meets the above criteria and: Performs a commercially useful function Has an ownership stake in the business Is not simply a subcontractor The County defines small businesses broadly so more organizations can qualify.

To qualify as a small business, you must meet one of the following criteria: Have one of the following certifications: California Small Business Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Meet the following employee count and revenue criteria of a Small Business or Small Business for the Purpose of Public Works: Eligibility Small business Small business for the purpose of public works Maximum employee count 100 200 Average Gross Annual Receipts cap over the last three tax years $18 million $43 million Register as a nonprofit organization with the State of California.

Budget at employee count are same as Small Business criteria (see table above) Have a certification from another public agency recognized by the County as part of the Reciprocal Small-Local Business Certification Program: City of San Diego Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) City of San Diego Emerging Local Business Enterprise (ELBE) Social Equity Enterprise (SEE) A SEE is a business or nonprofit deeply rooted in advancing equity.

They operate in and for the benefit of historically underinvested communities. SEEs meet at least one of the following: Has main place of business or headquarters in an area of San Diego County that qualifies for New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) . You can see the areas on the Community Development Institutions Fund Map .

Mainly provided services to Low-Moderate Income (LMI) populations or justice-involved communities in the previous 12 months. Mainly provided services to advance environmental or climate justice in the previous 12 months.

Provides pro bono services in San Diego County: Donates a minimum of 1% of products or services to LMI populations; or Donates a minimum of 1% of gross annual revenue to philanthropy; or, Is at least 51% owned by, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by, persons qualifying as Low-Moderate Income or are justice-involved. County of San Diego initiative in partnership with Founders First CDC.

The County of San Diego is committed to inclusive economic growth and ensuring that all communities have access to the resources they need to thrive. Founders First CDC is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic mobility through innovative training, capital access, and wraparound support. Learn more at foundersfirstcdc.

org. Stay updated on new grant launches by subscribing to the Founders First CDC newsletter. Small businesses and nonprofits based in San Diego County Organizations seeking to grow through County contracts Businesses that need support in compliance, bonding, or back-office operations A breakdown of the high-value support included in the County of San Diego Country BUILD + CORE pilot partnership programs with Founders First CDC.

Contracting & Bid Readiness County Contract Navigation Step-by-step help understanding and applying for County bids. Personalized tips to increase your chances of landing larger contracts. Hands-On Financial Operations Support Get expert 1-on-1 support to set up or improve your bookkeeping system.

Learn wage laws, ethical practices, and how to avoid common violations. Bonding, Insurance & Financial Access Bonding & Insurance Support Help overcoming the costly requirements that prevent many businesses from bidding. Funding Resource Navigation We’ll point you toward grants, loans, and tools you might not know about.

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