Phoenix Awards

Who is eligible to be nominated?

1. Any U.S. citizen or U.S. national who has their principal residence in the United States, its territories or possessions, who owns 51% of a business and operates a small business for a minimum of three years prior to being nominated 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.
2. Must be in good standing on any federal obligations.
3. Businesses that suffered a physical disaster loss and received an SBA disaster loan during fiscal years 2024 through 2026.
4. Business that suffered losses in a disaster that occurred during fiscal year 2023 or 2024 but did not receive an SBA disaster loan until fiscal year 2025. 

Who is NOT eligible to be nominated for this award?

Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.

Who may submit nominations?

1. 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 for this award.
2. Individuals may self-nominate for this award.

What information must the nomination package contain?

Nominations must contain the information below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

1. A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form. For “team” nominations, a background form is required for each team member.
2. A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
3. A completed SBA Form 3302, Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery nomination form.
4. Documentation supporting approval of the SBA disaster loan.
5. A high-resolution digital photo of the nominee – at least 300 DPI is required. For “team” nominations, a photo of each nominee or group photo is acceptable. If possible, digital photos documenting the disaster damage and digital photos of the rebuilt property.
6. 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.
7. Follow the instructions under Submission instructions and deadline.

What are the evaluation/selection criteria?

1. Resiliency — The business successfully resumed its operations within the same geographic area
2. Extent of damage — The business suffered at least 40% physical damage
3. Staying Power — The business was able to maintain at least 90% of its pre-disaster employment level or has plans to rehire employees, attaining 90% of its pre-disaster employment level
4. Contribution to the local community (e.g., the only supermarket in town, a major source of employment in the city, etc.)
5. Speed of recovery
6. Initiative and innovation displayed during recovery
7. Efforts made by the business to protect the property from future disaster losses

What are the selection procedures?

The Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery winner will be selected at the Field and National levels.

1. Phoenix Award nominees for Small Business Disaster Recovery are selected by the corresponding SBA Disaster Field Operations Center.
2. Winners will be selected by the SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery, based on the recommendations of a panel of judges comprised of federal employees.

Who is eligible to be nominated?

1. Any U.S. citizen or U.S. national who has their principal residence in the United States, its territories or possessions, who owns 51% of a business and operates a small business for a minimum of three years prior to being nominated 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.
2. Must be in good standing on any federal obligations.
3. Businesses that suffered a physical disaster loss and received an SBA disaster loan during fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
4. Businesses in either period specified above that received loss-reduction (“Mitigation”) funding to make their small business more resilient from future events will be given additional consideration.

Who is NOT eligible to be nominated for this award?

Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.

Who may submit nominations?

1. 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 for this award.
2. Individuals may self-nominate for this award.

What information must the nomination package contain?

Nominations must contain the information below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

1. A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form. For “team” nominations, a background form is required for each team member.
2. A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
3. A completed SBA Form 3302, Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery nomination form.
4. Documentation supporting approval of the SBA disaster loan;
5. A high-resolution digital photo of the nominee – at least 300 DPI is required. For “team” nominations, a photo of each nominee or group photo is acceptable.
6. If possible, digital photos documenting the disaster damage and digital photos of the rebuilt property.
7. 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.
8. Follow the instructions under Submission instructions and deadline.

What are the evaluation/selection criteria?

1. Resiliency — The business successfully resumed its operations within the same geographic area Extent of damage — The business suffered at least 40% physical damage
2. Staying Power — The business was able to maintain at least 90% of its pre-disaster employment level or has plans to rehire employees, attaining 90% of its pre-disaster employment level
3. Contribution to the local community (e.g., the only supermarket in town, a major source of employment in the city, etc.)
4. Speed of recovery
5. Initiative and innovation displayed during recovery
6. Efforts made by the business to protect the property from future disaster losses
7. Businesses that accepted mitigation funding to rebuild, using measures to reduce their risk from future events.

What are the selection procedures?

The Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery – Mitigation winner will be selected at the Field and National levels.

1. Phoenix Award nominees for Small Business Disaster Recovery – Mitigation are selected by the corresponding SBA Disaster Field Operations Center.
2. Winners will be selected by the SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery, based on the recommendations of a panel of judges comprised of federal employees.