WARD 1 SMALL BUSINESS
COMMUNITY IMPACT
CHALLENGE
Funding innovative ideas $15,000 that strengthen local businesses and serve Tucson.
WHAT IS THIS?
Local small businesses pitch projects for how they'd use city grant funding to benefit the public while supporting their own business’s growth. The community votes on their favorites, and a judges panel awards the top project at a live event.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Any Ward 1 small business with a project idea that creates real public benefit. Up to 10 businesses will be selected to participate and all receive recognition at the event.
HOW IT WORKS
1
Apply
Submit application by [Date TBD]
2
Community votes
The public votes on their favorite projectsh
3
Pitch live
Give a 2–3 min pitch at the community event
4
Winners announced
Judges pick the top prize; community votes decide the rest
What the application asks
Your business
What you do, who you serve, and what makes you a valuable part of the community.
Your project idea
What you'd do with the funds and how it benefits both Tucson and your business. The two should be connected.
A simple budget
A rough estimate of how you'd spend up to $15,000. Loose line items are fine — no accounting experience needed.
A rough timeline
When you'd launch and what the key steps look like. A month-by-month overview is all we need.
How projects are chosen
Public benefit
Does it clearly benefit the public or an underserved group?
Community–business alignment
Do the two goals genuinely reinforce each other?
Feasibility
Is the plan realistic within the funding and the business's capacity?
Clarity
Is the idea easy to understand quickly?
Top project is scored by judges at the live pitch.
Other awards are determined by community vote totals.
5–6 PM | Party and community voting
Business booths, food, music. Attendees receive ballots at the door and explore each idea before voting.
6–7 PM | Live pitches
Each business gives a 2–3 minute pitch to the judges panel.
7–7:30 | Deliberation and vote count
Judges score pitches while ballots are tallied.
7:40 PM | Winners announced
All winners and participants recognized. Celebration and photos.
EVENT DAY
READY TO APPLY?
Applications are free and open to any Ward 1 small business.
Deadline: [Date TBD]. Up to 10 businesses selected for the pitch event. 3 projects selected to be funded.
Questions? giselle.taylor@tucsonaz.gov