Intuit Honors Small Business Heroes with $20,000 Awards, Launches Small Business Hero Program

May 21, 2025 at 08:30 AM EDT

New Grant Program to Honor Small Business Heroes Across the U.S. Year-Round

Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), the global financial technology platform that makes Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, today announced the winners of its fourth annual Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Day – BJ’s Nevada BBQ, the Homeless Garden Project, and Perry’s Joint. The three heroes were honored in a special ceremony at Intuit Dome, hosted by WNBA League MVP and basketball legend Lisa Leslie. During the ceremony, the winners were acknowledged for going above and beyond to serve their customers, employees, and community, and awarded $20,000 each to help fuel their continued success.

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Lisa Leslie presents small business owners with $20,000 at Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp's fourth annual Small Business Hero Day at the Intuit Dome on Friday, April 25, 2025 in Inglewood, Calif. Owners from BJ's Nevada BBQ, The Homeless Garden Project, and Perry's Joint were honored. (Dan Steinberg/AP Content Services for Intuit QuickBooks)

Building on the success of Small Business Hero Day over the last four years, Intuit also announced an expansion of the program into a year-long initiative called the Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program. The program will assist even more small business heroes across the U.S. by spotlighting three winners each quarter who have made a positive impact in their community, while demonstrating courage, perseverance, and integrity. Each winner will receive a $20,000 grant and additional resources from QuickBooks and Mailchimp to help amplify their small business on a larger scale, and support their continued success and growth. Nominations for the inaugural Small Business Hero Program are now open for businesses located in the U.S. To submit a small business for consideration, go to intuit.com/heroprogram.¹

“The Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program will help provide a greater support system for small businesses across the country and the communities they serve,” said Emma Rodgers, SVP, Marketing, Intuit. “These businesses fuel the economy and play a key role in our local communities, but running a small business is not easy. We’ve seen how impactful our $20,000 grants have been to the past recipients, and we’re excited to expand the program and triple the number of businesses who will receive grants and resources each year, as part of our mission to help small businesses thrive and achieve prosperity.”

New data from the 2025 Intuit Small Business Heroes Survey found that nine in 10 respondents (90%) say small businesses contribute to their sense of community.² This year’s Small Business Hero Day winners are a shining example of how local business leaders play a key role in building this sense of community. Each has impacted their respective communities in unique ways and plan to use the grant money to further their positive impact.

BJ's Nevada BBQ in Sparks, Nevada, a family-run business owned by professional chef and community leader Jay Rathmann, is a local staple celebrated for its delicious meals and deep-rooted community involvement. As president of the American Culinary Federation High Sierra Chefs Association, Jay uses his education in culinary arts to mentor students and advocate for culinary and vocational programs in the local schools. This work also includes fundraising efforts, as BJ’s serves its food at a local Food Truck Friday event where all proceeds raised are donated to education, scholarships, and equipment for Northern Nevada culinary programs in schools, further establishing BJ's as a cornerstone of the Sparks community.

“To be part of Small Business Hero Day is amazing for us. I’m amazed that I have individuals in my life who think of me in that facet and that I am worthy of an award like this. That’s huge to me and helps me understand that what we’re doing is actually making a difference in my community,” shared Jay Rathmann. “This grant is going to help me put money towards things that are close to our heart and things that we believe in and are proud of – both my students and my employees love doing that – as well as help with the family as we are ‘for the business.’”

The Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz, California is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide people experiencing homelessness with transitional employment, support services and community building. Located on a 3-acre organic farm, the project aids local food systems with their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, and offers a job training program where trainees gain hands-on work experience and support services that lead to transitional employment and housing. Executive Director Darrie Ganzhorn’s mission is to enhance community engagement and reduce isolation for those experiencing homelessness through educational and volunteer opportunities, underscoring the transformative impact of community support and job skills.

“We depend on the community to make our business happen. It feels really good to be honored and to be seen in the context of a small business that is attempting to have more impact on their community,” said Darrie Ganzhorn. “We work really hard at The Homeless Garden Project and we have an amazing team. We’re providing the opportunity to the people that we’re serving on our crew but they’re the ones that are really doing the hard work of transformation, and I honor that work that they do – and thank Intuit for honoring it as well.”

Perry's Joint, a sandwich shop established over 20 years ago in Southern California, serves as both a cultural hub for its jazz-themed space and a steady pillar for the Pasadena and Altadena communities. Founded by Perry Bennett, the eatery supports local educational and charitable initiatives, dedicating one day's annual earnings to provide scholarships to help local students pursue higher education. In the wake of the recent Eaton fire that devastated the surrounding community, Perry also opened his doors to provide for those in need, offering food, a warm place to find shelter, and a safe place for locals to congregate together amidst the chaos.

“The $20,000 grant means so much, especially as a small business. It’s not like we have unlimited resources. It’s nice to be able, for once in decades, to have a cushion in case something happens - like a slicer breaking or a refrigerator going out – that’s helpful within itself,” shared Perry Bennett. “I’ve been getting flooded with high schoolers asking for jobs. Although I can’t hire everyone, the $20,000 grant will allow me to create more opportunities for summer jobs for kids in the area. I also do the scholarships once a year, so the grant will allow me to bless a couple more kids through my scholarships as well.”

About Intuit

Intuit is the global financial technology platform that powers prosperity for the people and communities we serve. With approximately 100 million customers worldwide using products such as TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to prosper. We never stop working to find new, innovative ways to make that possible. Please visit us at Intuit.com and find us on social for the latest information about Intuit and our products and services.

¹NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sponsored by Intuit. Legal residents of the 50 US (D.C.), 18+ can nominate Businesses that are located and operate in the 50 US (D.C.). Void where prohibited. Enter Contest by 5/15/26. Terms and Conditions Apply. See Official Rules for all business eligibility requirements, phase dates, and entry details, at https://quickbooks.intuit.com/offers/small-business-hero-program.

² Methodology: In April 2025, Intuit QuickBooks commissioned an online survey of 4,000 US consumers age 18+. The survey focused on consumer sentiment towards small and local enterprises. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest decimal place, so values shown in data report charts and graphics may not add up to 100%. Responses were collected using Prodege audience pools and partner networks with double opt-ins and random device engagement sampling to ensure accurate targeting and results. Respondents received remuneration. Results are post-stratified against U.S. Census data.