Kenneth B. and Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Small Business Grant
Founders First CDC
$1,000
$1,000 micro-grant plus a free Founders First business program for 25 U.S. veteran and military-spouse business owners. The 2026 application is open until October 15, 2026.
Founders First CDC's Kenneth B. and Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant selects 25 finalists from U.S. military veterans and military spouses running employer-based small businesses across the country. Each finalist receives a $1,000 micro-grant plus free access to one Founders First program (Passport Community or Zebra Leadership). The fund was created to honor U.S. Navy Veteran Stephen L. Tadlock and supports veteran founders with non-dilutive capital. The 2026 full application opened September 15, 2026 and closes October 15, 2026.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Foundation
- Amount range
- $1,000 – $1,000
- Realistic amount
- $1,000 fixed award
- Deadline
- October 15, 2026 (full application opened September 15)
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
Who qualifies
- U.S. military veteran or military spouse
- CEO, president or owner of an employer-based small business (2 to 100 employees)
- Business operates in the United States
- At least one year in business, with annual revenue of no more than $5M
- For-profit business
Who is not eligible
- Businesses not owned by a veteran or military spouse
- Solo businesses with no employees (must be employer-based)
- Nonprofit organizations
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital
- Marketing and customer acquisition
- Technology or equipment
- Hiring or contractor support
- Operations and growth initiatives
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses
- Debt repayment
- Activities unrelated to the business
How to apply
-
1
Confirm you meet the published criteria
Check that you are a U.S. military veteran or military spouse and the CEO, president or owner of an active U.S. business with 2 to 100 employees, at least one year in business and annual revenue of no more than $5M.
~0.5 hrs
-
2
Complete the full application by October 15, 2026
Submit the full application, including business details, veteran status documentation, and intended use of funds. The 2026 window opened September 15 and closes October 15, 2026.
~1.5 hrs
-
3
Watch for the announcements
Founders First CDC announces semifinalists on October 22, 2026 and finalists on November 10, 2026 at a virtual press event.
Don't leave it to the last day: the window closes October 15, 2026, and the published criteria (2 to 100 employees, at least one year in business, revenue of no more than $5M) work as hard filters, so check them before you start.
Deadline & timing
Founders First CDC's published 2026 timeline: full application opened September 15, 2026 and closes October 15, 2026; semifinalists are announced October 22 and finalists November 10, 2026 at a virtual press event. Re-checked against foundersfirstcdc.org/stephen-tadlock on October 1, 2026.
Deadline: October 15, 2026 — put it in your calendar before you close this tab.
Includes reminders one week and one day before. Verify on the official program page — funders move dates.
Not accepting applications right now — get one email when it reopens
GrantCompass tracks Kenneth B. and Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Small Business Grant’s application windows in the live catalog. Leave an email and we’ll tell you the day the next window opens.
Free. One email when the window moves, deadline warnings on your watchlist, and the monthly closing-soon digest. Unsubscribe anytime.
Required documents
- Proof of veteran status (DD-214 or similar)
- Business information demonstrating employer-based operation
- Use-of-funds narrative
Related programs
This program is not taking applications today — these are
Alternatives computed from the live GrantCompass catalog on October 1, 2026 — all 162 open grant programs · filter the database.
Explore more funding
Last updated October 1, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.