FedEx Small Business Grant Contest: What It Is, How to Apply, and Whether It’s Worth It
The fedex small business grant contest is an annual competition that awards cash grants to small U.S. businesses. The top prize has historically been $50,000, with additional prizes ranging from $15,000 to $30,000, plus FedEx print and business services credits. Winners are selected based on their business story, community impact, and growth potential, not simply financial need.
It’s one of the more legitimate and well-known small business grants available – FedEx has been running the contest since 2012, and past winners have used the funds for everything from buying equipment to hiring staff to launching new product lines. Here’s what you need to know before you apply.
Grant Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Sponsor | FedEx Corporation |
| Grand Prize | $50,000 cash + FedEx services credit |
| Additional Prizes | Multiple prizes of $15,000-$30,000 |
| Total Grant Pool | Typically $250,000+ across all winners |
| Eligibility | U.S.-based for-profit small businesses, in operation 6+ months |
| Application Format | Online entry with business description, goals, and use of funds |
| Public Voting | Yes – public votes contribute to finalist selection |
| Annual Cycle | Typically opens January-March each year |
| Where to Apply | smallbusiness.fedex.com/grant-contest |
Who Has Won Before? What Types of Businesses Get Selected
Past winners have spanned a wide range of industries and business sizes. Looking at the pattern of winners reveals what FedEx’s judges consistently reward:
- Businesses with a clear community angle – local employers, businesses that serve underserved populations, or those tied to a compelling personal story.
- Businesses already showing momentum – winners are typically growing, not struggling. FedEx is investing in acceleration, not rescue.
- Owners who can articulate exactly what they’ll do with the money – vague answers like ‘grow the business’ rarely win. Specific plans (‘buy a second oven to fill our wholesale orders’) stand out.
- Diverse founder representation – women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses have historically been well-represented in the winner pool.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Visit the official FedEx Small Business Grant Contest page before the entry window opens – dates change each year.
- Create a FedEx account or log in if you already have one.
- Complete the entry form: business name, type, founding date, employee count, annual revenue range.
- Write your business story (typically 250-500 words) – this is the most important part. Be specific, honest, and human.
- Describe your use of grant funds – what exactly would you do with $50,000? Be specific.
- Upload a photo or video of your business (where required).
- Submit before the deadline – late entries are not accepted.
- If selected as a finalist: mobilise your network for public votes. Past winners actively campaigned via social media, email lists, and local press.
Other Small Business Grants Worth Applying For
| Grant | Amount | Who It’s For |
| Amber Grant (WomensNet) | $10,000/month | Women-owned businesses |
| NASE Growth Grants | Up to $4,000 | Self-employed / micro-businesses |
| Venmo Small Business Grant | Varies | Small businesses using Venmo |
| Hello Alice Emergency Grant | Up to $10,000 | Businesses in crisis or underserved founders |
| USDA Rural Business Grants | Varies widely | Rural-based businesses |
| SBA SBIR / STTR Grants | $50K-$1.75M | Tech / research-based businesses |
Is the FedEx Grant Worth Your Time?
Honest answer: yes, if your application is strong and you’re willing to campaign for votes. The prize pool is real, the contest has been running over a decade, and the application takes a few hours at most.
The main risk isn’t wasted time – it’s writing a generic, corporate-sounding entry that looks like every other submission. Tell your actual story. Judges read hundreds of entries. Authenticity and specificity cut through the noise.
Apply to multiple grants simultaneously – the effort of writing one good application translates to many. Set a reminder for when FedEx’s window opens each year and keep your application materials ready.
