Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

The Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program is a private grant opportunity administered by Intuit Inc., a leading provider of financial technology tools including QuickBooks and Mailchimp. This initiative aims to recognize and support exceptional small businesses across the United States that demonstrate courage, integrity, and a meaningful impact on their local communities. The program is structured as a merit-based contest with multiple award cycles, giving small businesses several chances throughout the year to be acknowledged and financially supported for their contributions. The program is open to small businesses operating in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. To be eligible, businesses must have been legally established for at least one year prior to nomination, maintain lawful operations with proper registrations and licenses, and have no more than 99 W-2 employees, including ownership. Both for-profit entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations qualify, provided they have not previously won this contest within the past two years. Businesses owned by government officials, sanctioned individuals, or employees of Intuit or its partners are explicitly ineligible. Nominations are made by members of the public who do not have ownership or familial ties to the nominee. Each nominator must submit a detailed response (between 50 and 300 words) describing how the business demonstrates courage, perseverance, and integrity, as well as their own passion for the nominee. The submission process is entirely online and includes the provision of basic business information and a narrative. Each phase of the contest results in three winners, selected by a panel of judges based on community impact (60%) and nominator passion (40%). Winning businesses receive a $20,000 cash grant, along with marketing and operational support tools valued at over $19,000. This includes 12 months of free QuickBooks Online Advanced and Mailchimp Standard Marketing Plan access, promotional features on QuickBooks’ and Mailchimp’s official channels, and an editorial spotlight on the QuickBooks blog. Winners must agree to participate in promotional media and allow periodic visits from the sponsor throughout the year. The program is divided into four phases annually. Each phase has a distinct application window and notification date. For example, Phase 3 runs from November 15, 2025 to February 14, 2026, with winners announced by March 5, 2026. Given the recurring nature of the program, it provides ongoing opportunities for small businesses to gain recognition and resources to help grow their operations. Non-selected nominations are carried over into subsequent phases, providing additional chances for consideration. This initiative exemplifies Intuit's broader commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and supporting community-rooted businesses. Through structured, transparent judging and clearly defined eligibility, the program ensures that deserving small businesses have a fair opportunity to be recognized and resourced without requiring a purchase or product affiliation.

Focus on describing community impact with specific stories; avoid generic statements. Use clear, authentic language.