Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant 2025

Grant Overview

$1,000 Micro Grants for Veteran Entrepreneurs – 25 Awards Available Nationwide

Donor: Founders First CDC

About: The Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant comes from a deeply personal place, named after Kim Folsom’s brother who served in the U.S. Navy. Kim Folsom, CEO of Founders First CDC, established this $25,000 fund specifically to honor her brother Stephen L. Tadlock, recognizing the vital contributions veteran entrepreneurs make to the small business community. What you get is simple: $1,000 micro grants distributed to 25 veteran business owners across the country who are already running employer-based operations.

Here’s something most people don’t realize about this grant – it’s part of a recurring program that’s been running since 2022. Previous years have seen recipients announced on Veterans Day, showing the organization’s commitment to honoring military service through business support. That consistency matters when you’re planning your funding strategy, especially if you compare it to other veteran opportunities like the Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant, which offers $10,000 but has much stricter requirements.

What Makes This Different from Other Veteran Grants

Most veteran business programs either focus on startups or massive scaling operations. The Tadlock Grant hits that sweet spot where you’ve already proven your concept but need that extra push to reach the next level. As Kim Folsom explains, “I’ve seen firsthand through my brother’s experience in the U.S. Navy and reentry into civilian life, that American veterans give back to our country each and every day, and following their service it’s critical that they receive support from family, friends and local communities to thrive.”

The eligibility requirements tell the real story here. You need between 2 and 100 employees, which automatically excludes solo entrepreneurs and huge corporations. Your annual revenue has to stay under $5 million, meaning you’re in that growth phase where traditional bank loans might not make sense yet, but you’ve got enough traction to show serious business potential. Compare this to something like the VR&E Self-Employment Track which focuses on veterans with service-connected disabilities starting businesses, or the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund which specifically targets agricultural ventures.

Q: How competitive is the Stephen L. Tadlock Grant?
A: With 25 awards available and national eligibility, competition varies by year but having a solid business track record helps significantly.

Q: Can I apply if I’m a veteran but not the majority owner?
A: The grant typically requires the veteran to be the CEO, President, or primary Business Owner.

The Application Process – What Actually Happens

Pre-registration is open now, but applications officially launch September 9, 2025. You’ll need to complete a full application including business information and create a short pitch video. The program enables small businesses to obtain one of 25 microgrants, totaling $25,000, as part of Founders First’s dedication to increasing diverse founder-led companies that generate over $1 million in revenue. That video component isn’t just busy work – it’s where you get to show the leadership qualities military service develops and how you’re applying them to job creation.

The evaluation process involves multiple stages. All completed applications get reviewed, then semi-finalists are selected for final judging. Winners get announced during a live press event, which provides visibility that can be worth more than the $1,000 itself. Smart business owners understand that kind of public recognition opens doors to bigger opportunities down the road.

Q: What should I focus on in my pitch video?
A: Highlight how your military experience translates to business leadership and job creation in your community.

Q: When do winners typically get announced?
A: Previous years have announced recipients on Veterans Day (November 11th), though specific dates may vary.

How to Actually Use the $1,000

The beauty of this grant is its flexibility. You can use the money however your business needs it most, including seeking professional assistance with documents to qualify for additional funding. That last part is key – many veteran entrepreneurs use micro grants like this as stepping stones to larger funding sources. Unlike programs such as the Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant which provides $2,500 but has quarterly cycles, the Tadlock Grant gives you one shot per year to make your case.

Some veterans invest the money in business plan development for SBA loans, others use it for marketing campaigns that demonstrate growth potential to angel investors. The Military Entrepreneur Challenge offers $15,000 but requires a much more complex application process – sometimes the simpler path makes more sense.

Q: Can the grant money be used for equipment purchases?
A: Yes, as long as it’s for legitimate business purposes and growth.

Q: Do I need to provide receipts for how I spend the money?
A: While not explicitly required, maintaining proper documentation is always good business practice.

Who’s Behind This Program

Founders First CDC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation, but they’re not your typical grant-making organization. They run the largest national platform offering business accelerators and grant programs for diverse-led businesses in the U.S. Their mission focuses on increasing the number of diverse founder-led companies that generate over $1 million in revenue and create premium-wage jobs.

Kim Folsom brings serious credentials to this work – she’s a Harvard Business School graduate with over 25 years of experience scaling ventures. When your CEO understands both the business side and the personal motivation behind veteran support, it shows in how the program operates. This isn’t some corporate diversity initiative; it’s personal family commitment translated into systematic business support.

The organization also operates Founders First Capital Partners (the investment arm), so grant recipients potentially get introduced to larger funding opportunities as their businesses grow. That’s different from standalone grant programs that give you money and wave goodbye.

Timeline and Key Dates for 2025

Pre-registration is live right now at the official website. Applications officially open September 9, 2025, though the exact deadline hasn’t been announced yet. Based on previous years’ patterns, expect the application window to stay open for several weeks, followed by a review period and announcement around Veterans Day.

Q: Should I wait until applications officially open to prepare?
A: No, start preparing your pitch video and business documentation now.

Q: What happens if I miss the application deadline?
A: You’d need to wait for the next cycle, as this is an annual program.

Strategic Considerations

The $1,000 amount might seem small compared to other opportunities, but think strategically. This grant has a proven track record, reasonable requirements, and connects you to a network focused on scaling diverse businesses to seven-figure revenues. Compare that to programs like the Idea Cafe Small Business Grant which also provides $1,000 but focuses specifically on women entrepreneurs, or the Galaxy Grant which offers $2,450 for minority entrepreneurs.

Veterans have unique advantages in business – discipline, leadership experience, ability to work under pressure. But the civilian business world operates differently than military command structures. Programs like this bridge that gap by recognizing both your service and your business acumen.

Q: Can I apply to multiple veteran business grants simultaneously?
A: Yes, as long as you meet all individual program requirements and can manage multiple applications effectively.

Q: What if my business is less than a year old?
A: Unfortunately, the minimum one-year operational requirement would disqualify newer businesses.

Beyond the Grant – What You Actually Get

Grant recipients join the Founders First family and get access to webinars, networking opportunities, and resources designed for diverse-led businesses. That community aspect matters more than most people realize. Veterans often struggle with the isolation of entrepreneurship after years of military camaraderie. Access to a network of other veteran business owners and diverse entrepreneurs provides peer support that’s often more valuable long-term than the initial funding.

The program was created “with the purpose of providing investments to Veteran entrepreneurs looking to take their businesses to new heights” – and that language is deliberate. They’re not trying to keep you at the micro grant level forever; they want to see you scale up.

Winners also get recognized during a live press event, which provides media exposure you can’t buy. Smart entrepreneurs leverage that kind of visibility for customer acquisition, partnership opportunities, and credibility when approaching larger funding sources later.

Comparing Your Options

Let’s be realistic about where this fits in your overall funding strategy. If you need immediate emergency assistance, something like the VFW Financial Assistance Program might be more appropriate. If you’re in agriculture, the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund provides equipment funding that could be worth more than $1,000.

But if you’re running an established business with employees and looking for flexible capital plus networking opportunities, the Tadlock Grant hits the sweet spot. The key is understanding it as part of a larger funding ecosystem, not a standalone solution.

Q: How does this compare to SBA veteran loan programs?
A: Grants don’t require repayment, but loans typically offer much larger amounts for significant expansion.

Q: Should I consider this if I’m already profitable?
A: Yes, profitable businesses often have the best success with grants because they demonstrate proven business models.

Let’s be honest about something – putting together grant applications takes time that most veteran business owners would rather spend growing their companies. The paperwork, the pitch videos, the follow-up – it all adds up. If you’re serious about maximizing your chances with this opportunity and others like it, that’s exactly the kind of strategic support we provide at Grantaura. Sometimes having experienced professionals review your approach and help position your application makes the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked. Check out our grant writing services if you want expert guidance that treats your time like the valuable resource it is.

Focus: veteran business grants, military entrepreneur funding, small business micro grants, veteran-owned business, employer-based veterans, Founders First CDC, Stephen Tadlock grant, veteran entrepreneurship, micro investment programs

Region: United States, USA, America, Nationwide, All U.S. States, All U.S. Territories, National

Eligibility:
– Must be a U.S. military veteran (any branch of service)
– Must hold position as CEO, President, or Business Owner of the applying company
– Business must be active and currently operating in the United States
– Annual business revenue must not exceed $5 million
– Must employ between 2 to 100 people (including part-time staff)
– Business must have been operating for minimum of one year
– Must be majority-owned by the veteran applicant
– Business must be for-profit entity creating jobs for others

Benefits:
– Financial Award: $1,000 micro grant (non-repayable funding)
– Networking Access: Connection to Founders First community of diverse entrepreneurs
– Recognition: Public announcement during live press event with media exposure
– Resources: Exclusive access to business development webinars and materials
– Community: Ongoing support network with other veteran and diverse business owners
– Potential: Introduction to larger funding opportunities through Founders First Capital Partners

Deadline: Applications open September 9 (specific deadline TBA)

Terms:
– Micro Grant: Small dollar amount funding (typically under $5,000) designed to provide quick access to business growth capital without lengthy approval processes or repayment requirements
– Majority-Owned: The veteran must own more than 50% of the business equity to qualify for veteran-specific business programs and benefits
– Active Business: Company must be currently operating and generating revenue, not just a business plan, concept, or dormant entity
– Revenue-Based Qualification: Annual revenue under $5 million positions businesses in growth stage where they’ve proven market viability but may not qualify for traditional bank financing
– Employer-Based Business: The requirement for 2-100 employees means the business must create jobs for others beyond just the owner, demonstrating economic impact in the community
– Recurring Program: Annual grant cycle that provides predictable opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs to access funding and support on a regular basis

Author: Imran Ahmad gets the unique transition challenges veterans face moving from military leadership to civilian entrepreneurship. Through his work founding Grantaura, he’s seen how the discipline and mission-focused approach that makes veterans excel in service sometimes clashes with the ambiguous, relationship-driven world of small business funding. Veterans are used to clear objectives and defined success metrics, but grant applications require translating military achievements into civilian business impact language that non-veteran reviewers understand. That’s what makes programs like the Stephen L. Tadlock Grant valuable – they’re designed by people who recognize the leadership qualities veterans bring to business ownership and job creation. Imran’s mission with Grantaura focuses on making funding opportunities accessible to entrepreneurs who’ve served their country and are now building businesses that serve their communities. Schedule a consultation to discuss your funding strategy.