If you’re a maker or designer, West Elm is interested in meeting you, checking out your work and considering you as a recipient of a $25,000 small business grant during their We Love Small Business Grant contest. One designer/maker will win the big cash prize, and three runners up with get the chance to be mentored by West Elm and join the ranks of the many local artisans and designers the home décor chain already support in stores and online.

Here’s what you do: Go to westelm.com/localgrant and fill in the form (you have until September 9 to do this. If you’re able, contact the South Lake Union store (206.467.5798) for a short in-person portfolio review on August 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (not required for submission, just a nice way to make a good impression). Come September 30, West Elm will announce the top 20 finalists and open up the voting to the public and then on November 19, the winner and three runners up will be announced.

This contest is part of West Elm’s Local initiative, which includes more than 1,000 products from more than 160 artists, designers and makers available in 16 West Elm stores throughout the nation. By the end of 2014 an additional eight stores will be added to that list and this holiday season, West Elm will launch a Best of Local assortment online, featuring 60 products from 20 of the project’s top selling creators.