The goal of Our Dreams Matter Program is to educate the students on creating business plans based on their desire and dream of owning or working in their business. We do not guarantee that the business plan created by the student will gain funding, however, we believe that it is a “living document” to acquire business funding.

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Upon completion of Our Dreams Matter, each student is expected to produce a business plan based on the desired business.

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Upon completing the enrollment application and paying the registration fee, your application will be reviewed by our Executive Board. The acceptance into the program is based on the applicant's ability to define their entrepreneurial dream and the feasibility of bringing it to fruition. Our Dreams Matter, Inc. does not discriminate in offering equal access to its educational training programs on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, ancestry, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, veterans status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or genetic information.

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The Our Dreams Matter Program Executive Board will evaluate all business plans for authenticity, creativity, and the detailed outlay of the steps needed to bring the business to fruition.

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All plans will be scored based on the criteria developed and shared with the student throughout the semester.  The highest score will receive a start-up business grant. The winner(s) are announced at the Commencement program.

The business start-up grants will be disbursed in 2 separate payments. The following criteria must be met to receive the second disbursement:

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• The business name, location, and resident agent must be recorded in the Maryland Department of Labor.

• An application for an Employer’s Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS must be filed.

• Simple findings that the business is being recorded must be presented.

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The Our Dreams Matter Program is a 12 – week program.  In order to receive a successful outcome, the student is expected to have no more than two absences.  The student is expected to notify all instructors or Class Monitor of an unexpected absence or lateness within 10 hours of the start of class. Please contact them by email at admin@ourdreamsmatter.org.

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The registration fee of $99.99 is non-refundable.

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If for some reason completion of the program is not possible, the student must notify the class Monitor by email at admin@ourdreamsmatter.org as soon as the decision is made. If the student desires to return to the program, the student must submit another registration application and pay the non-refundable fee. The enrollment will be for the next semester.

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Once the Our Dreams Matter semester begins, in the case extenuating circumstances, the Our Dreams Matter faculty and Executive Board will do our best to work with the student to assist in maintaining pace in the class. 

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