Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

The Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program is a privately sponsored initiative designed to celebrate and support small businesses across the United States. Backed by Intuit Inc., the global financial software company known for its suite of tools including QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and TurboTax, this grant program recognizes businesses that demonstrate courage, perseverance, and integrity in their communities. With a mission centered on empowering small businesses, Intuit uses this grant as a means to give back to those who play a critical role in driving local economies and fostering community development. This contest-based grant program awards selected small businesses a $20,000 cash grant along with valuable business support resources. In addition to the monetary prize, winners receive one Instagram post each on both QuickBooks and Mailchimp’s official channels, a featured blog article on the QuickBooks website, and a 12-month subscription to both QuickBooks Online Advanced and Mailchimp’s Standard Marketing Plan (for up to 100,000 contacts). These tools aim to help businesses grow their customer base, streamline financial operations, and enhance overall efficiency. The total estimated value of the prize package is over $39,000. Eligible nominees must be small businesses legally operating in the 50 U.S. states or the District of Columbia, with fewer than 100 employees and at least one year of formal registration at the time of nomination. Both for-profit entities and 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible, provided they are active, lawful, and not affiliated with the contest organizers. Nominees must not have won this grant within the past two years. Notably, business owners cannot nominate their own companies, and nominators must not be relatives or employees of the nominated business. The application process is straightforward but structured. Interested individuals nominate a business by completing an online submission form, which includes contact information and a required 50- to 300-word statement describing the business’s impact and alignment with the values of courage, perseverance, and integrity. The judging criteria place 60% weight on community impact and 40% on the passion conveyed in the nominator’s submission. Each entrant may nominate up to five businesses during the contest period. The contest is organized into four phases, each lasting several weeks and concluding with the selection of up to three winners. For the 2025–2026 cycle, the full contest period runs from May 15, 2025, to May 15, 2026. Phases conclude on August 14, 2025; September 5, 2025; December 11, 2025; and March 5, 2026, respectively. Winners from each phase will be notified approximately two months later. All prizes are subject to verification and must be claimed within five days of notification. Prizes will be fulfilled within 8–10 weeks of confirmation. Although the program does not require a match and there are no indirect cost restrictions, winners must accommodate scheduled visits by the sponsor and agree to have their business featured in promotional materials, including video and photography. The grant is non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded. This program reflects Intuit’s broader commitment to supporting the small business community through both financial investment and access to advanced tools for growth.

Emphasize community impact and show nominator's passion in your submission.