Small Business News
FedEx Announces Launch of 2023 Small Business Grant Contest
Attention small business owners: FedEx has announced the launch of its 11th annual Small Business Grant Content. This year’s promotion will officially kick off on January 31st, with the entry period lasting until February 21st. As part of the contest, more than $330,000 will be granted to small business, including $30,000 going to 10 grand prize-winning businesses. After the entry deadline has closed, 100 finalists will be selected and revealed on April 12th. Then, the ten winners will be announced on May 11th.
In addition to the prize money, winning businesses will also receive a $1,000 FedEx Office print credit, a $300 voucher from My FedEx Rewards, access to FedEx Premier Customer Service, and more. Those selected as one of the 100 finalist will enjoy prizes such as a financial consultation with Accion Opportunity Fund. Elsewhere, one winner that is also a veteran-owned business will be awarded an additional $20,000 thanks to USAA. Lastly, in a new addition for 2023, a People’s Choice Award vote will be held. For 10 days, a qualified small business with the highest number of likes on their entry will be awarded a $1,000 digital cash gift card. These votes will take place from February 27th through March 8th.
To apply for the content, business owners can visit the FedEx Grant Contest site before the deadline. As part of their entry, owners will need to write a short profile of their business and upload up to four photos of their business/products — including their logo. FedEx notes that businesses also have the option to submit a short video about their business, although this is not a requirement. Note that the contest is limited to United States-based businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have been operating for at least six months as of the content’s opening.
Announcing this year’s contest, FedEx’s SVP of Integrated Marketing & Communications Jenny Robertson said, “Since 2012, we’ve helped small business owners achieve their dreams by growing and expanding their ventures through our Grant Contest. FedEx will soon celebrate fifty years of connecting people and possibilities with small businesses serving as a crucial part of our success.” Robertson added, “We can’t wait to see who wins this year and what the future holds for these incredible entrepreneurs.”
Interestingly, this year’s Small Business Grant Content is structured a bit differently from years past. In 2022, FedEx awarded three Grand Prize grants of $50,000 plus six $20,000 “first prize” winners and one Entrepreneur Choice Award winner. That installment of the contest saw New York’s Kulture Khazana and Utah-based Niche Snowboards taking home the grand prizes.
Once again, this latest grant contest is another great chance for entrepreneurs to not only show off their business but potentially score some extra funds for themselves and their employees. In fact, the 2023 edition of FedEx’s contest is even more exciting as the People’s Choice Award voting gives businesses yet another chance of winning a prize. For those reasons, small business owners should be sure to check out the FedEx Grant Content site starting January 31st and submit their entry by February 21st.
