Small Business Growth Alliance (SBGA) has launched a $2,500 scholarship for students pursuing careers in business, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit work, expanding its efforts to support community development. The scholarship will award one eligible student in the United States, with applications open until January 31, 2027.
Scholarship targets business and nonprofit students
According to the announcement, the award is open to U.S. citizens who are high school seniors planning to enter college or current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at accredited U.S. institutions. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and an academic or career focus on business, entrepreneurship, or the nonprofit sector.
Candidates must also submit an original essay explaining a challenge they have overcome, how the experience shaped their commitment to giving back, and how the scholarship would help them achieve their future goals.
The scholarship builds on SBGA’s existing community support initiatives. Since the organization’s launch, it has contributed more than $300,000 in donations and volunteer support over nearly two decades.
Its charitable efforts have supported organizations including Make-A-Wish, Boys & Girls Clubs, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Doctors Without Borders.
More recent contributions include a $10,000 donation to the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada, support for CASA’s holiday gift drive for children in foster care, and a contribution to Three Square, a hunger relief organization serving Southern Nevada.
Organization extends support to emerging leaders
SBGA said the scholarship aims to help students overcome financial barriers as they prepare to build businesses, lead organizations, and contribute to their communities.
“We’ve spent years helping small-business owners work toward their goals, and we wanted to find a way to extend that same support to the next generation,” said SBGA Vice President Nathan Jurczyk. “This scholarship is one way we can help students take that next step.”
The initiative extends the organization’s work beyond helping small-business owners access business solutions and services. By supporting students interested in entrepreneurship and nonprofit work, SBGA is also investing in future leaders. According to the disclosure, applications close on January 31, 2027.