FAQ

It’s a $500 grant from Bailee’s Kitchen for one Texas small business. The winner can put it toward a real business need, like licensing, supplies, equipment, booth fees, or marketing.

Sponsored and administered by Penny Blossom LLC d/b/a Bailee’s Kitchen, a for-profit Texas business. This is a merit-based business competition, not a raffle or sweepstakes.

One $500 grant this round. The $500 grant will be awarded regardless of the number of applications received.

The winner is selected solely on merit using the published rubric. Chance plays no part in selection. Ties are broken by a second round of judging.

For-profit small businesses that are established and based in Texas when they apply. The person applying must be an owner of the business and at least 18 years old.

No. Sole proprietors (including those with a DBA), LLCs, partnerships, and corporations are all welcome, as long as the business is established in Texas when you apply.

Not this round. Your business needs to be established when you apply. If you’re a sole proprietor, filing an assumed name (DBA) certificate with your county is a quick, low-cost way to get established.

Not this round. This grant is for for-profit small businesses.

Yes. Upgrading your business, like forming an LLC or getting a license or permit you need, is a great use of the grant. Just list it with its cost in your answer about how you’d spend the $500.

Each business may submit one application.

Nonprofits, businesses that haven’t been established yet, and employees and owners of Bailee’s Kitchen (Penny Blossom LLC) and their immediate family members.

Applications open November 1, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. Central and close November 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central. Late applications can’t be considered.

Some basic information about your business, plus five short questions about what your business does, how you’d spend $500, what difference it would make, the biggest challenge you’re facing, and how your business connects with your community. You don’t need to sound corporate. Write the way you’d talk about your business to a friend.

A nonrefundable $10 application fee is required with each application. Fees are retained by Penny Blossom LLC to operate the program and are not refunded for any reason, including ineligibility or not being selected.

No. Every application is scored on the same rubric.

Each application is scored out of 100 points:

• Business clarity: 20 points
• Use of funds: 25 points
• Expected impact: 25 points
• Drive and resilience: 15 points
• Community connection: 15 points

If two or more applications tie, the tied applications go through a second round of judging against the same rubric.

Bailee’s Kitchen reviews and scores every application. AI tools may help organize or pre-screen applications, but every final score and the winning decision are made by a person.

Be specific. For the $500 question, list each item or service and what it costs. For the impact question, tell us how you’ll know the money made a difference, like more sales, new customers, or time saved.

December 10, 2026. The winner will be notified by email and has three business days to reply with a mailing address and a document showing the business is established in Texas. If the winner doesn’t respond or turns out to be ineligible, the grant goes to the next-highest score.

Any document showing your business was established in Texas when you applied, such as an assumed name (DBA) certificate, certificate of formation, Texas sales and use tax permit, or business license.

By check, mailed by December 15, 2026.

The winner is responsible for any taxes on the award, and we may ask for a completed IRS Form W-9. Check with your tax professional about how to report it.

Yes. We’ll share the winner’s name, business name, city, and a short description of the business.

It’s used only to run the grant. We don’t sell or share it, except with service providers that help run the program.

Only if you choose to opt in.