Small Business Grant Program

The Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program is an initiative by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support small businesses owned by veterans and military spouses. Designed to recognize and elevate these entrepreneurs, the program provides a one-time grant to help strengthen and grow eligible businesses. The grant program is supported by the FedEx Founder’s Fund, part of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and USAA Small Business Insurance, with the Chamber of Commerce Foundation serving as the main sponsor. This program not only showcases the significant economic contributions of veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses but also emphasizes community impact and sustainability. The grant aims to assist small, for-profit businesses that demonstrate financial need or operate in economically vulnerable communities. A total of five grants will be awarded: four grants of $10,000 each and one grand prize of $25,000. These funds are intended to support business growth initiatives such as hiring, marketing, product development, or scaling operations. The applicant's business must have between 3 to 20 employees, including owners, full/part-time staff, and 1099 contractors, and must not exceed $5 million in annual revenue. Businesses must also be majority-owned (at least 51%) by a veteran or military spouse. Applications must be submitted online at the official Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Award page by 11:59 PM Eastern on December 15, 2025. Applicants must be legal residents of the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, or Hawaii. Ineligible applicants include non-profits, businesses exceeding 50 locations under a franchise, those involved in prohibited industries (e.g., tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment), or those owned by employees of the program sponsors or affiliates. Furthermore, businesses associated with controversial or restricted activities are excluded from consideration. The selection process consists of two rounds. In the first round, senior leaders from Hiring Our Heroes will select up to 20 semi-finalists based on leadership, community impact, and strategic business plans. In the second round, a panel including Hiring Our Heroes staff and possibly external experts will select five winners from the semi-finalists. Notification of grant awards is expected by March 29, 2026. Winners will be required to submit verification documents such as proof of military affiliation and business ownership. A public award ceremony will take place in spring 2026, with the finalized date announced in March 2026. Grant recipients will also be required to submit photographs of their businesses and headshots. Participation in the program implies agreement with the terms and conditions, including rights granted to the sponsors for promotional and educational use of application materials. This grant does not require matching funds and is a non-renewable, one-time cash award. There is no specified performance period, though recipients may be asked to provide follow-up information. The program does not recur on a regular basis, and no indication has been made regarding future rounds beyond the current cycle.

Emphasize measurable community and economic impact; show a strong business growth plan.