Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. (“Pekin Hardy”), is an SEC-registered investment adviser with its principal place of business located in Chicago, Illinois. The firm began conducting business in 1990. The company also operates under the brand name Appleseed Capital. Listed below are the firm's principal shareholders who directly or indirectly control more than 25% of the company:
• Joshua Strauss
• Adam Strauss
• William Pekin Pekin Hardy offers the following advisory services to our clients: INVESTMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICES INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. serves as the investment manager to the Appleseed Fund (“Appleseed Fund”), a mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and provides investment management services to separately managed accounts, retirement plans, and other client accounts. We provide investment management services based on the needs of each client. Through discussions with the client, we strive to understand the client’s goals and help them develop their investment strategy and target asset allocations. During our discussions, we determine the client’s objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. As appropriate, we also review the client’s investment history. Our goal is to construct investment portfolios that are consistent with a client’s stated investment objectives and tolerance for risk, liquidity, and suitability. A client may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities, asset classes, and industries. Once we establish a client’s investment portfolio, the portfolio manager reviews the portfolio on a periodic basis, and if necessary, rebalances the portfolio based on market conditions and the client’s needs. Our clients’ investments generally include, but are not limited to, the following securities:
• Exchange-listed securities
• Securities traded over-the-counter
• Warrants
• Corporate debt securities
• Commercial paper
• Certificates of Deposit
• Municipal securities
• Mutual fund shares
• United States Government securities
• Agency securities
• Options contracts on securities
• Interests in private partnerships, pooled investment vehicles (PIV’s)
• Government securities issued by countries other than the United States
• Futures
• Non-traded REITs.
• Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
• Foreign government securities.
• Short positions FINANCIAL PLANNING Pekin Hardy provides financial planning services. Financial planning is a comprehensive evaluation of a client’s current and future financial state by using known information and making certain assumptions to predict future cash flows, asset values, and withdrawal plans. Through the financial planning process, we consider various questions, information and analyses as they impact the financial and life situation of a client. A client requesting this service receives a report that provides a detailed financial plan designed to assist clients in achieving their financial goals and objectives. A financial plan addresses some or all of the following areas:
• Personal: We review household budgets, assets, liabilities, estate information, and financial goals.
• Tax & Cash Flow: We analyze the client’s income tax and spending patterns (past, current and future years) and we illustrate the potential

impact of various investment strategies on the client's current and future income streams.
• Investments: We analyze investment alternatives and their potential effect on the client's portfolio.
• Retirement: We analyze current strategies and investment plans to help the client achieve their retirement goals. In developing a financial plan, we gather required information through in-depth interviews. Information gathered might include the client's current financial status, tax status, future goals, return objectives and attitudes towards risk. We carefully review documents supplied by the client and prepare a written report that includes our financial plan recommendations. Implementation of financial plan recommendations is at the client's discretion. MUTUAL FUND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT Pekin Hardy serves as the investment adviser to the Appleseed Fund, a mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Our firm manages the Appleseed Fund’s assets based on the investment goals and objectives as outlined in the Appleseed Fund's prospectus. Interested investors should refer to the Appleseed Fund's prospectus and Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") for important information regarding objectives, investments, time-horizon, risks, fees, and additional disclosures. These documents are available on-line at www.appleseedfund.com. Prior to making an investment in the Appleseed Fund, investors and prospective investors should carefully review these documents for a comprehensive understanding of the terms and conditions applicable for investment in the Appleseed Fund. RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES Pekin Hardy offers retirement planning services as defined under Section 3(21) and 3(38) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). The firm is responsible for recommending or selecting investment options for company retirement plans, monitoring the investment options, and providing education to participants. When Pekin Hardy provides services as defined under Section 3(38) of ERISA, Pekin Hardy will have discretionary authority to determine investment choices for the retirement plan. When Pekin Hardy provides services as defined under Section 3(21) of ERISA, the plan sponsor or trustee retains decision making authority and responsibility for determining investment choices for the plan. We will generally limit investment options for retirement plan services to mutual funds and exchange traded funds. Certain retirement plan sponsors may offer self-directed brokerage accounts for their plan participants. We will offer our investment management services (see description above) to such participants and may assist them in determining securities to purchase, hold, and sell. We will enter into separate investment management agreements with these participants. In some situations, we will initiate the execution of trades on behalf of the participant. MODEL STRATEGIES Pekin Hardy uses Model Strategies in certain client Accounts. The determination to use a particular model or models is based on each client’s individual investment goals, objectives and mandates. Cash Balance Plans are designed and balanced to help ensure that these Model Strategies are in line with those of the respective benchmarks chosen. The Model Strategies may be adjusted from time to time. ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT As of 12/31/2023, Pekin Hardy managed $1,041,169,351 of client assets on a discretionary basis.