FedEx last week announced the upcoming launch of its 12th annual Small Business Grants Program, which will award more than $230,000 in grants and services to 10 U.S.- based small businesses.
The application period will begin at 12pm ET on March 1, 2024, and close at 12pm ET on April 1, 2024, the company states. After a judging period, the 10 grant recipients will be announced on May 16, 2024. Qualifying businesses can submit their applications and review program rules at fedex.com/smallbusinessgrants.
“Small businesses are a driving force in the success of our economy. They’re also giving back to their local communities and we’re proud to provide this opportunity to fuel their contributions,” said Aimee DiCicco, Senior Vice President Integrated Marketing and Retail Channel Commercial, FedEx, in a news release. “Since 2012, FedEx has been helping small business owners achieve their dreams by growing and expanding their ventures through our grants program, and we are excited to see who will receive grants this year.”
FedEx Grants
One 2024 FedEx Small Business Grant grand prize recipient will receive $50,000 and nine additional recipients will each receive $20,000, in addition to a $500 FedEx Office print credit, a $300 voucher from My FedEx Rewards and access to FedEx Premier Customer Service, the company states. All recipients will also receive a sustainable packaging consult from the FedEx Packaging Lab, a digital consult from the FedEx Digital Sales Solutions team, an invite to attend a Small Business Strategic Insights Forum and a feature on the FedEx Small Business Center.
The grant recipients won’t be the only ones going home with prizes. Up to 100 additional businesses will receive a $300 voucher from My FedEx Rewards, according to the company.
Any U.S.-Based Small Business Can Apply
The 2024 FedEx Small Business Grants Program is open to U.S.-based FedEx customers who are for-profit small businesses, have 1-99 employees, have been in operations selling a product or service for six months or more and have opened a FedEx account prior to September 1, 2023, and currently ship with FedEx, the company states.
To apply, applicants must visit fedex.com/smallbusinessgrants and:
- Enter their business information (including their FedEx shipping account number)
- Write a short profile about their business
- Provide how they would use the grant to enhance their business
- Provide their experience with FedEx
- Upload up to four photos of their business or product, including their logo
- Submit a short video about them as a small business owner and their experience with FedEx
The 2023 program attracted over 8,200 entrants from across the United States. Over the past 11 years, nearly 77,000 businesses have applied in the United States alone, the company states. Over that 11-year span, a total of more than $2 million in cash and prizes have been distributed to more than 120 businesses.
