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Our office presents national and district level awards. National-level awards, including Small Business Person of the Year, go on to compete for additional recognition and some winners are invited to attend ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The district level winners are honored locally. Read on for general guidelines for all available District Office awards.
General guidelines
Award eligibility
Who is eligible to be nominated for this award?
Nominees for this award must meet both of the following eligibility requirements:
Any legal resident of the United States or its Territories who owns and operates or who bears principal responsibility for operating a small business may be nominated. Partners who jointly own and operate a small business may be nominated as a “team,” so long as the number of individuals in the team nomination does not exceed four (4).
Who is NOT eligible to be nominated for this award?
- Individuals or teams who own or operate a business defined as “other than small” (i.e., large businesses) for its primary industry under the applicable SBA size standards or
- Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.
Who may submit nominations for this award?
- Individuals or organizations dedicated to the support of the small business community in the United States such as trade and professional associations and business organizations, may submit nominations.
- Individuals may self-nominate.
How to apply
What information must the nomination package contain?
Nominations must contain the information below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.
- A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form. For “team” nominations, a background form is required for each team member;
- A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
- A completed SBA Form 3315, District Office nomination form.
- An original 8 in. x 10 in. or 5 in. x 7 in. photo of the nominee or a digital photo – at least 300 dpi is required; photocopies are not acceptable. For “team” nominations, a photo of each nominee or group photo is acceptable; and
- Additional supporting documentation deemed significant by the nominator, including news clips, letters of recommendation, nomination letter (if not self-nominated), and other evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination. Supporting documentation may not exceed 10 pages. Videos will not be considered.
Where are the nominations to be sent?
All nominations must be submitted electronically to the upload link in the "About the District Office awards" section below. Nominations should be scanned and submitted as one full document. Photo should be submitted as a separate attachment.
When is the deadline for nominations?
Nominations must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. ET on December 5, 2024 (3:00 p.m. CT/2:00 p.m. MT/1:00 p.m. PT).
How are winners selected?
What are the evaluation/selection criteria?
In evaluating the nomination packages, the judges will look at the following criteria:
- Business’ staying power, growth in employees, increase in sales, improved financial position, and innovativeness of product or service offered;
- Contributions to community— evidence of the use of his/her personal time and resources to contribute to its community; and
- Additional criteria to be determined by the individual District Office.
What are the selection procedures?
The District Office Award will be selected by the appropriate District Director based on, but not restricted to, the recommendations of the panel of judges of federal or non-federal employees.
About the District Office awards
To be nominated and receive one of the following local awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award, demonstrate success in business, and complete and submit the required nomination package information. Incomplete packages will not be accepted.
Read on for local award nomination criteria and to submit your nomination.
Young Entrepreneur of The Year
To be considered a young entrepreneur, the individual must serve as a majority owner and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with a three-year track record, and who will not have reached the age of 30 by June 1, 2025.
Family-Owned Business of The Year
This award honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to the next. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with at least a 15- year track record.
Minority Small Business Champion or Business of the Year
This award honors an individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for minority business owners may be nominated or a minority-owned small business owner has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. Champion nominees may or may not be small business owners.
Veteran Small Business Champion or Business of the Year
This award honors a veteran-owned and operated business. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. Must be in business a minimum of three years.
Women in Business Champion or Business of the Year
This award honors a woman-owned and operated business. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. Must be in business a minimum of three years.
San Antonio District Office Small Business Champion Awards
To be nominated and receive one of the following local awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award, demonstrate success in business and complete and submit the required nomination package information.
Small Business Champion of the Year
An individual who assists small businesses through advocacy efforts has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
- Volunteer efforts beyond business/professional responsibilities to advance small business interests within the community, state and/or nation.
- Demonstrated efforts to improve conditions in the small business community as a whole, not solely for individual personal advancement.
- Volunteer efforts to provide professional services to the small business community in a legal, legislative, managerial, or financial capacity.
- Demonstrated accomplishments in advising small business groups of opportunities within the overall business community.
- Other accomplishments demonstrating the nominee’s merit as an effective advocate for small business interests.
Small Business Media Advocate of the Year
The Small Business Media Advocate of the Year Award will recognize an outstanding journalist from television, radio, web, electronic or print media whose work supports the growth and expansion of small businesses in the San Antonio district. The nomination package must include a minimum of three of the nominee’s originally authored and published articles or URL links.
- Concerted and demonstrated efforts to increase public understanding of the importance of small business contributions to the economy, in the San Antonio District.
- Contribution of content and feature stories, editorials, columns, and commentary that highlight and analyze small business issues in the San Antonio District.
- Voluntary community service aimed at enhancing small business opportunity and growth. Other achievements that exemplify the nominee’s efforts to improve the understanding and importance of small businesses to the U.S. economy, with a focus on those in the San Antonio District.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the San Antonio District level only. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.
Need help?
If you have questions about our local awards, please contact Cindy Solano.