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Our office presents national and district-level awards. Nominees must demonstrate success in business as well as contributions to their local communities. 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 the following eligibility requirements. Please contact our office with any questions.
- Any legal resident of the United States or its territories 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 (4); and
- Individuals who have received at least one type of SBA assistance such as, but not limited to, an SBA loan, SCORE counseling, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) assistance, Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) assistance, Women’s Business Center (WBC) assistance, government contracting assistance, disaster assistance, Emerging Leaders Initiative, or Boots to Business training.
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 Award 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 7:00 a.m. ET on December 8, 2025 (6:00 a.m. CT/5:00 a.m. MT/4:00 a.m. PT/3:00 a.m. AK/2:00 a.m. HI).
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.
Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Any small business that is family-owned and operated, with at least a 15-year track record that has been passed on from at least one generation to another. Nominee must demonstrate: staying power; growth in number of employees and increase in sales over 3 years (2022, 2023, 2024); innovativeness of product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; response to adversity; volunteer efforts to strengthen family-owned businesses within the community; and increased employment opportunities for family members.
Microenterprise of the Year
Any small business with 5 or fewer employees (including all owners) may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: staying power; increase in sales over three years (2022, 2023, 2024); innovativeness of product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; response to adversity; and demonstrated creativity and/or commitment to a social mission in hiring policy, buying local, etc.
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Any individual who is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who owns and operates at least 51% of a small business may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: staying power; growth in number of employees and increase in sales over 3 years (2022, 2023, 2024); innovativeness of product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; response to adversity; volunteer efforts to advance veteran business interests within the community; and increased employment opportunities for veterans.
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
A women-owned small business owner who has experienced the rewards and challenges of owning a business.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Any small business that is at least 51% owned and operated by an individual(s) that are under the age of 30 as of June 1, 2026, may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: staying power; growth in number of employees and increase in sales over 3 years (2022, 2023, 2024); innovativeness of product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; and response to adversity.
Homebased Business Owner
Any small business operated out of a home office location may be nominated. Nominee must demonstrate: staying power; an increase in sales over 3 years (2022, 2023, 2024); innovativeness of product or service offered; contributions to community-oriented projects; and response to adversity.
Financial Services Champion
Any individual who assists small businesses through advocacy to increase usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services. Nominee must respond to the following criteria: outside of regular business duties, the amount and quality of assistance given to small businesses in obtaining financing; advocacy of changes in the financial services industry to assist small firms; encouragement of the flow of investment capital to small ventures; active support for legislative or regulatory action designed to help small firms; and other significant contributions made by the nominee through financial services or accounting industry to advance small business interests.
Small Business Manufacturer of the Year
A small business in the manufacturing sector that has demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation and growth. This award celebrates the vital role small manufacturers play in restoring American economic dominance, technological advancements, national security and more.
Rural Small Business of the Year
A small business that has demonstrated exceptional performance and growth in a rural community. This award celebrates the vital role small businesses play in our rural communities. To be eligible for this award, the business must be located at an address designated as rural by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Property Eligibility search tool.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Rhode Island 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 Katie Charron.