Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program 2026 – U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | $10,000–$25,000 Grants for Veteran- and Military Spouse-Owned Businesses

The Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation with help from FedEx by means of the FedEx Founder’s Fund, is now accepting functions for its 2026 grant cycle. This aggressive program will award 5 veteran- and army spouse-owned small companies with one-time grants of $10,000 or $25,000 to help enterprise progress, enhance monetary stability, and acknowledge the financial contributions of the army neighborhood.

Applications should be submitted on-line by December 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT.

---

About the Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program

Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is a nationwide initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation aimed toward connecting the army neighborhood with significant financial alternatives. Through the Small Business Grant Program, HOH highlights the vital position of veteran- and army spouse-owned companies in strengthening native economies, creating jobs, and contributing to neighborhood improvement.

The 2026 program will award:

• Four (4) grants of $10,000
• One (1) grand prize grant of $25,000

The program is funded by means of the FedEx Founder’s Fund, part of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, demonstrating a dedication to advancing the success of small companies created and led by army households.

---

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, companies and homeowners should meet all eligibility necessities outlined under.

1. Residency Requirements

Applicants should be:

• A authorized resident of, and presently dwelling in, the 48 contiguous U.S. states, Alaska, or Hawaii.

2. Ownership Requirements

The applicant should:

• Be a 51% or extra proprietor of a for-profit small enterprise.
• Be a veteran, honorably discharged service member, present National Guard or Reserve member, or a army partner, outlined as:
  • Anyone who beforehand served in lively obligation, National Guard, or Reserve parts of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard and acquired an honorable discharge.
  • Anyone presently serving in National Guard or Reserve models of these army branches.
  • Anyone married to a present service member in any of the above branches.

---

3. Business Requirements

To qualify, the enterprise should:

• Have 3 to twenty whole staff, together with the proprietor, all workers (full-time, part-time), and unbiased (1099) contractors.
• Generate lower than $5 million in annual income.
• Be situated in an economically weak neighborhood, outlined as a ZIP Code with a Distressed Communities Index “stress score” of 40 or better, or be capable of exhibit monetary hardship past the proprietor’s management.

---

4. Ineligible Applicants

The program does NOT settle for functions from companies that fall into the next classes:

• Franchise manufacturers with >25 corporate-owned shops or >50 whole shops
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Government companies, political organizations, NGOs, or public administration our bodies
• Businesses working illegally or engaged in prohibited industries, together with playing, hashish, weight-reduction plan aids, firearms, tobacco, grownup/sexual content material, or weapons manufacturing
• Gas stations or companies on fuel station premises
• Direct sellers
• Religious instruction or indoctrination-focused companies
• Private golf equipment limiting membership past capability
• Applicants or companies related to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation workers, Supporting Organization workers, their households, or family members
• Entities on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Sanctions List
• Any enterprise that would “reasonably be expected to offend a significant portion” of Supporting Organizations’ audiences or stakeholders

All candidates should comply with the Official Rules and could also be required to take part in a public grant announcement occasion if chosen as a winner.

---

Program Details

Number of Awards

• 5 whole grant recipients
  • 4 companies obtain $10,000 every
  • 1 grand prize winner receives $25,000

Purpose of Funding

The money grant should be used to:

• Support or develop the prevailing enterprise
• Expand capability, entry new markets, or enhance operational sustainability

---

Competition Structure

The choice course of contains two rounds:

Round 1: HOH Senior Leader Review

Up to 20 semi-finalists will likely be chosen primarily based on:

• Leadership & neighborhood influence (33.3%)
• Contributions to financial progress (job creation, companies, tax contributions) (33.3%)
• Clear path to long-term enterprise success (33.3%)

Round 2: Panel Review

A judging panel consisting of:

• Hiring Our Heroes workers
• Business and business specialists
• Veteran and army small enterprise leaders
• Non-profit leaders

This panel will choose the 5 ultimate Grant Winners.

---

Odds of Winning

The probability of choice is determined by the quantity of eligible functions acquired earlier than the deadline.

Winner Requirements

Grant Winners should:

• Provide verification of veteran or partner standing
• Submit enterprise pictures and a headshot of the proprietor
• Attend a public award occasion in spring 2026 (date introduced in March 2026)

Winners are accountable for all state, native, and federal tax obligations associated to the prize.

---

How to Apply

Application Method

Applications should be submitted on-line solely by means of the official Hiring Our Heroes portal:

 Application Form:
Click for form

Applications submitted by any methodology aside from the web type won’t be accepted.

Steps to Apply

1. Visit the official grant web page
2. Review the total program guidelines
3. Complete the web entry type
4. Ensure all contact data is correct
5. Submit earlier than the deadline: December 15, 2025

Once submitted, functions can’t be withdrawn or amended after January 1, 2026.

Additional Conditions

• Providing false or deceptive data ends in quick disqualification.
• Sponsor reserves the fitting to terminate, modify, or droop this system.
• Applicants grant the Sponsor restricted rights to make use of submitted supplies for publicity.

Important Dates

Milestone	Date
Application Deadline	December 15, 2025 (11:59 PM EDT)
Amend/Withdraw Deadline	January 1, 2026
Winner Notification	On or earlier than March 29, 2026
Public Announcement Event	Spring 2026 (date introduced in March 2026)
Winner List Available	After May 30, 2026

For a bodily copy of the winner checklist, candidates might ship a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to the handle supplied within the Official Rules.

Official Links

A Major Opportunity for Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneurs

The Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program 2026 gives a strong funding alternative for small companies owned by veterans and army spouses. With grants of $10,000 to $25,000, a clear choice course of, and sturdy help from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and FedEx, this program highlights the important position of military-connected entrepreneurs in strengthening native economies.

Eligible candidates are inspired to submit their entries earlier than December 15, 2025 to be thought of for this nationally acknowledged small enterprise award.

Related