Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the University of Southern California and United Airlines will grant $25,000 to four Southern California military veteran entrepreneurs as part of newly developed small business program

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (Aug 16, 2022) — The historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the University of Southern California and United Airlines today announced an all-new initiative, the United Airlines – LA Memorial Coliseum Veteran Small Business Grant Program. This community-driven effort will award a total of $100,000 in grants to four veteran-owned small businesses in Southern California, with each receiving $25,000.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, nearly 10% of small businesses in the U.S. are veteran-owned. They generate $1 trillion in annual receipts and employ nearly six million.

Following the 2019 partnership announcement naming the home of the USC Trojans United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the two organizations have continued to support and honor local veterans.

“We are so proud of this continued partnership and what this new initiative will mean to our community,” says Dan Stimmler, Vice President, USC Auxiliary Services and COO of the Los Angeles Coliseum. “We always strive to serve those who do so much to serve us, and our goal with this opportunity is to give back to our heroic U.S. veterans because a community cannot thrive unless everyone thrives.”

“At United, thousands of our team members across the system are veterans or in the active reserve so this partnership not only deepens our commitment to the LA community but is a tribute to all the men and women who have served in the armed forces and are now pursuing a second career,” said Janet Lamkin, Senior Vice President of Market and Community Innovation at United. “United has always stood by our veteran community and the creation of the United Airlines – LA Memorial Coliseum Veteran Small Business Grant Program will set the recipient organizations up for success in years to come.”

The application process for the United Airlines – LA Memorial Coliseum Veteran Small Business Grant Program is open through Sept. 30. Applicants can be a U.S. veteran submitting their local small business or a supporter nominating their favorite local veteran-owned small business. Applicants can visit United.com/VSBG to begin the process.

The four recipients will be recognized on Friday, Nov. 11 during the USC Trojans’ home game against the Colorado Buffaloes. Additionally, as a part of the initiative, the program will also cover costs for qualified nominees and applicants to become certified as a veteran-owned business.

For more information, please visit United.com/VSBG.