MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 3, 2016—FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) today launched its fourth annual Small Business Grant Contest. This year, the contest offers grants to ten small businesses, distributing a collective prize pool of $100,000—the largest sum since the contest’s inception. Among them, one Grand Prize winner of $25,000, one $15,000 winner and eight $7,500 prizes will be awarded.
“Small business owners face a number of challenges, especially when it comes to securing the financial resources needed to take their businesses to the next level,” said Becky Huling, vice president of Customer Engagement Marketing. “The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest was designed to help small business owners unleash their potential and realize their dreams of turning their passion into a successful business.”
The 2015 contest attracted candidates from across the United States and garnered more than one million votes. The Grand Prize winning small business was In Blue Handmade, an 11- person operation in Asheville, N.C., specializing in hand-made, customized leather goods. Through the $25,000 grant and support of FedEx shipping services, In Blue Handmade was able to increase their production capacity and expand their product line. Their products are now available in more than 300 boutiques and shops nationwide and they ship all over the globe via their e-commerce site.
“We worked hard on the entry and video—every person on our team had some part in the creation—but, honestly, we never expected to win. We are so very grateful,” said Mary Lynn Schroeder of In Blue Handmade.
The 2016 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is open to U.S.-based for-profit small businesses that have less than 50 employees and have been operating for six months or more. To enter, participants must visit www.fedex.com/grantcontest and enter their contact information, write a short profile about their business and upload four photos of their business or product, including their logo. While not required, participants also have the option of submitting a 60-second “elevator speech” video to supplement their entry.
The contest entry period is open from May 3 to May 30, 2016, with voting to take place from May 17 to June 13, 2016. Following a judging period, winners will be announced on July 11, 2016 at www.fedex.com/grantcontest.
FedEx. Solutions that Matter.® Helping Small Businesses.
The FedEx portfolio of services allows small business to gain access to the global marketplace and to shipping, logistics and printing solutions. FedEx offers a portfolio of convenient options that make shipping even easier for small business customers, including:
- FedEx Delivery ManagerSM, a feature which allows U.S. package recipients to customize home deliveries to fit their schedules, including changing the time and location of a delivery, requesting a signature upon delivery and leaving instructions for the courier; sign up is free at com/delivery
- FedEx One RateSM, a U.S.-based flat-rate pricing option that combines simplified, predictable pricing with the same reliable delivery and excellent service customers expect from FedEx.
For more information on how FedEx helps small businesses, please visit the FedEx Small Business Center at fedex.com/us/small-business.