Main Street Ventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operating as an entrepreneur-support organization focused on economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem building. The organization provides physical infrastructure, funding, education, and networking opportunities for startup and emerging technology businesses in the Greater Cincinnati region. Main Street Ventures is also known as The Brandery, a nationally-ranked accelerator program.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
-21.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$934K
-27.6% YoY
Grant Count
54
-8.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-20.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Main Street Ventures works to become the community-funded initiative that makes entrepreneurship possible for everyone in Greater Cincinnati by supporting entrepreneurs with capital, connections, and education. The organization has a particular focus on women and minority entrepreneurs who have been historically under-represented in the startup community.
Primary Activities:
- Promote regional economic development by providing physical structure to startup and emerging technology businesses
- Educate regional business communities on technology issues and opportunities
- Provide a forum for dissemination of ideas, technology, business practices, and information among regional technology businesses and regional colleges and universities
- Support entrepreneurial ecosystem building and increase access to capital for emerging businesses with job creation potential
Grantmaking
Main Street Ventures operates two flagship equity-free, non-dilutive funding programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus on Greater Cincinnati and the surrounding region, including Northern Kentucky and Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023 (Most Recent Filing):
- Total Assets: $2,671,983
- Total Revenue: $2,249,420
- Total Expenses: $2,121,305
- Total Liabilities: $149,000
- Total Giving: $1,345,886
Rating: Three-Star rating from independent charity evaluator (78% overall score)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,092,338 | $2,671,983 | $2,515,108 |
| Revenue | $980,567 | $2,249,420 | $1,779,738 |
| Expenses | $1,714,825 | $2,121,305 | $1,265,923 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $226,698 | $1,685,798 | $38,404 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
166 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Band Connect ($30,000), Bensuite Llc ($30,000), Bosa Life ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 4 MILE WINE CO MELBOURNE, KY | SEED FUNDING | $8,500 |
| 6 N THE MORNING CINCINNATI, OH | SEED FUNDING | $10,000 |
| AIRTREK ROBOTICS COVINGTON, KY | SEED FUNDING | $10,000 |
| ALMOST VGAN CINCINNATI, OH | SEED FUNDING | $9,701 |
| ANISOPTERA INC LOVELAND, OH | SEED FUNDING | $10,000 |
| BAILOUT SYSTEMS COVINGTON, OH | SEED FUNDING | $10,000 |
| BAND CONNECT CINCINNATI, OH | SEED FUNDING | $30,000 |
| BEARDS AND BELLIES BBQ NEWPORT, KY | SEED FUNDING | $15,000 |
| BENSUITE LLC CINCINNATI, OH | SEED FUNDING | $30,000 |
| BLACK ACHIEVERS CINCINNATI, OH | SEED FUNDING | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sean Parker – Executive Director
- Kelly Bonnell – Board Chair
- Brianna Dzuricsko – Executive Lead, Director of Development & Funding Programs
- Abby Ober – Director of Community Engagement & Entrepreneur Support
Staff Size: 7 employees (as of 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KELLY BONNELL | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| TARA NOLAND | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| ROBERT W MCDONALD | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| TONY ALEXANDER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DAVE KNOX | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| GEORGE MOLINSKY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JB KROPP | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JOHN MOORE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| RYAN WATSON | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JOEL STONE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| PAULA BOGGS MUETHING | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SEAN PARKER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $113,736 |
| SARAH KUBALA | CFO | 5 | $18,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**July 2025:** Main Street Ventures awarded $172,098 in grants to 13 small businesses across Greater Cincinnati through its Launch and Leap funding programs
Main Street Ventures awards $172K in grants to Cincinnati startups**November 2024:** Announced Q4 grant cycle awarding $145,000 to 11 Greater Cincinnati businesses, bringing 2024 total to over $450,000 supporting 30 small businesses
Main Street Ventures awards $172K in grants to Cincinnati startups**Ongoing:** Partnership with Cincinnati State's Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program for student entrepreneur pitch competition and funding
Announcing the 2025 Backing Small Businesses Grant Recipients | Main StreetSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Main Street Ventures fund?
Main Street Ventures works to become the community-funded initiative that makes entrepreneurship possible for everyone in Greater Cincinnati by supporting entrepreneurs with capital, connections, and education. The organization has a particular focus on women and minority entrepreneurs who have been historically under-represented in the startup community. **Primary Activities:** • Promote regional economic development by providing physical structure to startup and emerging technology businesses…
How do I apply for a grant from Main Street Ventures?
Main Street Ventures operates two flagship equity-free, non-dilutive funding programs: **Launch Funding** • Supports pre-revenue startups at the prototype or product stage • Grant amounts: $5,000 to $10,000 • Helps companies move closer to market entry **Leap Funding** • Provides funding to revenue-generating companies • Grant amounts: $10,000 to $30,000 • Supports scaling, expansion of impact, and long-term survival **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2024: Awarded over $450,000 in total grants to 30…
Where does Main Street Ventures make grants?
Primary focus on Greater Cincinnati and the surrounding region, including Northern Kentucky and Ohio.
What size grants does Main Street Ventures award?
In 2024, Main Street Ventures awarded 54 grants totaling $934K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Main Street Ventures's EIN?
Main Street Ventures's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1663711. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Main Street Ventures's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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