Meet the small businesses building a brighter future

After thousands of inspiring submissions, these five businesses earned our $50,000 grand prize, each extraordinary in their own right. Check out their stories below.

5

grand prize winners

$50K

awarded per winner

1,000s

nominations received

150

runners-up honored

And the winners are...

5 businesses. 5 communities. All making their cities better.

Northeast

4MyCiTy

"It's not always about money and big infrastructure. It's really about small organizations like ours making big impact."

— Christopher Dipnarine, Founder & Executive Director

Founded on one simple act of rescuing surplus food, 4MyCiTy has grown into Maryland's only full-service "Zero Waste to Zero Hunger" Sustainability Hub, turning rescued food into nourishment and waste into workforce opportunity.

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West

Chess4Life

"Imagine a future where millions of kids all grow up not necessarily great chess players, but great problem solvers."

— Elliott Neff, Founder & CEO

For more than 20 years, Chess4Life has used the game of chess to help over 100,000 students build skills that last far beyond the board.

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Midwest

Greene Thumb Landscape

"A lot of times people measure business success off of revenue. For us, it's really important to think about who we're employing and how are we making our community better."

— Kirsten Davenport-Norwood, Executive Chair

A second-generation, Black-owned, woman-led landscaping company, Greene Thumb has served Indianapolis since 1992, growing stronger communities alongside every lawn they tend.

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West

Hello Brew Co.

"Giving our space, the value is much more than we could ever give monetarily."

Operating out of a 130-year-old house in downtown Fort Collins, Hello Brew Co. treats their taproom as an open invitation for artists, musicians, nonprofits, and neighbors who need support.

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Southeast

The Motherhood Village

"The fact that I actually won solidified that I'm doing the work that I should be doing, that it is necessary work."

The Motherhood Village is a community space built for mothers and a model Nicole is working to bring to cities across the country.

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