About Grants
Grants Program Mission
The Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation’s mission is to find, honor and empower the very best servant-minded business leaders. For over 40 years, the Texas Business Hall of Fame has honored the most transformative entrepreneurs and innovators in our state and used its resources to award entrepreneurs who are dedicated to enhancing the economic landscape of this state and helping their communities in the process.
Each year, the Foundation’s Board of Directors awards a highly select number of emerging business leaders and entrepreneurs to receive grants in recognition of their leadership and entrepreneurial potential. Hall of Fame grant recipients are also invited to become an active part of the prestigious Hall of Fame network and to be a permanent beneficiary of its programming.
Types of Future Texas Business Legend Grants
Scholar Awards
Veteran Awards
Empathy & Innovation Award
Executive Leadership Award
Teacher of Excellence Award
High School Award
The Future Texas Business Legend Awards program was established in 1986. At the time, we were grateful to support a tiny number of promising MBA scholars with $1,000 grants at a few select universities. Today, we award 35 to 40 $15,000 to $20,000 grants at 24 institutions of higher learning throughout the state of Texas and also fund in the Veteran entrepreneurial community and high school entrepreneurial space. In addition to the financial prize we award, our goal is to provide a bridge between the most transformational servant-leaders in our state and the most promising business leaders of tomorrow who we identify through our competitive selection process. Our hope is this bridge results in a lasting relationship with our organization and the values its people represent.
We are proud to be able to recognize excellence in a wide variety of entrepreneurs and business leaders from different experiences, industries, and skill levels. Currently, we award Texas-based applicants in six categories: Veteran entrepreneurs, Scholar (undergraduate or graduate) entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs advocating for those with disabilities, MBA students pursuing corporate executive leadership roles, a high school student entrepreneur, and a high school business teacher. Please click below to learn more about the types of awards we offer, eligibility, and application timelines.
Future Texas Business Legend Scholar Award
The Future Texas Business Legends Award is a $15,000 grant given to an eligible student/scholar at one of our partner universities that demonstrates an entrepreneurial track record or potential of excellence. Within our higher education awards program, there are university-specific awards and two statewide awards. Our statewide awards include The T.T. & W.F. Chao Chairmans’ Award (a $20,000 grant) and the Brett Wiggs Innovative CEO Award (a $15,000 grant).
Future Texas Business Legend Veteran Award
The Future Texas Legend Veteran Awards Program recognizes excellence in Veteran entrepreneurs across the state of Texas. Any Veteran entrepreneur can apply for this award. Ideal candidates currently lead revenue-generating businesses and can exhibit a successful entrepreneurial track record. We directly solicit applications through the Veteran entrepreneur community. Future Texas Business Legend Veteran Award recipients receive $20,000 awards.
Excellence in Empathy and Innovation
The Shaun D. Kennedy Award of Excellence in Empathy and Innovation recognizes an entrepreneur who is building a company focused on solutions for those with physical and/or developmental disabilities. This award, initiated by Harvey Najim and the Kennedy family, is named in honor of the late Shaun Kennedy, former TBHF Chairman and San Antonio business leader. The Kennedy Award recipient receives a $15,000 grant.
Future Executive Leader of Distinction
Unlike our traditional awards that focus on entrepreneurs, the AT&T Future Executive Leader of Distinction Award (FELD) in Honor of Randall Stephenson awards an MBA student who is a member of a historically underrepresented group and shows record and promise in making impressive contributions in an executive leadership role in established organizations. Candidates must be nominated by the Dean of their business school at one of our partner universities. The recipient of this award receives a $15,000 grant.
Teacher of Excellence Award
The Texas Business Hall of Fame Teacher of Excellence Award supported by Alan and Barbara Dreeben recognizes an outstanding business educator in the greater San Antonio area for their dedication to teaching and inspiring the next generation of business leaders through their innovation and commitment in the classroom. The Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation seeks to award a business, career and technical education (CTE), or entrepreneurial high school educator who is devoted to a career as a classroom teacher. The recipient of the Teacher of Excellence Award receives a $15,000 grant, as well as Hall of Fame promotion to garner broader support for their classroom activities.
Outstanding High School Entrepreneur Award
The TBHF Alumni Association Outstanding High School Entrepreneur Award in Honor of Coulter and Lily Rush Hoppess recognizes a Texas high school student who has demonstrated an early inclination for entrepreneurship and business leadership. The prize comes with a $2,000 grant and an invitation to attend our annual Induction Ceremony and Awards Lunhceon. The award recipient also becomes a permanent part of the TBHF network, with access to events, networking and programming. 2024 High School Award applicants are restricted to the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.
2024 Application Process
Priority Application Timeline: The priority deadline for applications has passed, however, we are still accepting a limited number of interest forms. If you are interested in applying, please complete and submit your online application as soon as possible. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Patrice Bartlett, Director of Scholar and Veteran Programming at pbartlett@texasbusiness.org.
Eligibility: Please carefully review the eligibility requirements before submitting your application. The Future Texas Business Legend Awards welcome applications from individuals and entities meeting the specified criteria. However, past recipients of any award under the program, regardless of category, are ineligible to apply for subsequent editions. We encourage new applicants to showcase their achievements and contributions to the Texas business landscape. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Review & Voting Process: Applications will be reviewed by the TBHF staff and finalists are interviewed by TBHF’s Executive Director and Director of Scholar & Veteran Programming. A ballot voting system will be used to determine the winner. Voting is not open to the public.
Selection Process: Please note: TBHF rotates hosts cities each year for its annual Induction Dinner and Ceremony, rotating between Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. We look for Outstanding High School Award applicants in the corresponding host city. 2024 applicants will be restricted to the Greater Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex area. 2025 applicants will be restricted to the Greater Houston area.