Applications are open for the Hiring Our Heroes' Small Business Grant Program 2025. Hiring Our Heroes' Small Business Grant Program will honor the achievements of veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses, highlighting their impact and contributions to local communities and America's economic growth.
About Hiring Our Heroes' Small Business Grant Program
Opportunity Details
This program was made possible through the generosity of the FedEx Founder's Fund, part of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and USAA Small Business Insurance.
Benefits of Hiring Our Heroes' Small Business Grant Program
- The program will award five such businesses with a one-time $10,000 grant to be used to grow and support their business.
Hiring Our Heroes' Small Business Grant Program Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the Grant Program, an applicant must be:
- A legal resident of and currently reside in the contiguous 48 states, Alaska and/or Hawaii; and
- A 51% or more owner of a for-profit business owned by an honorably-discharged veteran or military spouse with 3 to 20 employees including the owner, all full or part-time employees, and independent (1099) contractors. For the purposes of this program, veteran or military spouse means:
- any person who previously served in the active duty, National Guard or Reserve components of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force or Coast Guard and has an honorable discharge;
- any person who currently serves in National Guard or Reserve component of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force or Coast Guard; or
- any person who is presently married to a current member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, or any National Guard or Reserve components of the military; and
- An owner of a small business with less than $5 million in annual revenue and located in an economically vulnerable community, or the business can otherwise demonstrate financial need brought on by hardship beyond the owner’s control. Economically vulnerable communities are defined as any community in a zip code that receives a “stress score” of 40 or greater, as measured by the Distressed Communities Index.
Ineligible Applicants
Owners of the following types of businesses and organizations are not eligible to participate:
- Franchise brand with more than twenty-five (25) corporate-owned stores, or more than fifty (50) stores total;
- Not-for-profit businesses;
- Any government agency, public administration, political organization, or non-profit of any type;
- Businesses engaged in any illegal activity;
- Gas stations, or businesses located on the same premises as a gas station;
- Shopping property management companies;
- Direct sellers;
- Any business that is primarily in the business of manufacturing, promoting or selling diet aids, cannabis, gambling, tobacco (including tobacco-related equipment, such as e-cigarettes), firearms or other weapons;
- Private clubs and businesses which limit the number of memberships for reasons other than capacity;
- Businesses principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in a religious or secular setting;
- Businesses that derive directly or indirectly more than de minimis gross revenue through the sale of products or services, or the presentation of any depictions or displays, of a sexual nature;
- Businesses owned by employees, officers and directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, FedEx, and any affiliated entities, and their respective immediate families (parents, spouse, children, siblings) or individuals residing in their household (whether or not related);
- Entities listed on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Sanctions List; and
- Any other business that could reasonably be expected to offend a significant portion of FedEx customers or the public.
Applicants agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of these Official Rules and, if applicable, agree to participate in an event announcing the Grant Winners.
Criteria for Selection of Grant Winners
As described below, a Selection Committee, including representatives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes (“HOH”) program, will choose five (5) Grant Winners from among all eligible applicants.
For round 1: A select group of senior leaders at HOH will review all the applications and select up to 20 eligible semi-finalists that meet the eligibility requirements and submit the most compelling applications.
For round 2: A panel of judges comprised of HOH employees and, potentially, business and industry experts, veteran and military small business and non-profit leaders, will review the semi-finalists and select five (5) Grant Winners.
Odds of being selected as a Grant Winner depends on the number of eligible applications received on or before February 28, 2025.
Grant Winners will be notified on or before March 29, 2025, through the contact information provided in the application. Grant Winners may be asked to submit additional information for their application.
Grant Winners will be chosen without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or physical or mental ability.
Requirements for Grant Winners
Grant Winners will be announced publicly at an event hosted by Hiring Our Heroes in spring 2025. A finalized date for the ceremony will be announced in March 2025.
Grant Winners will be required to confirm and supply information as to their qualifications, including proof of military service, as part of the selection process and before the award of a $10,000 grant.
In addition, each Grant Winner must submit photos of their business and a headshot of the business owner.
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
28 February, 2025
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Hiring Our Heroes' Small Business Grant Program
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