For businesses like the Miami-based Institute for Regional Conservation that rely mostly on grant money to stay afloat, any extra funds are greatly welcomed and appreciated.

The IRC, whose mission is preventing the extinction of rare plants, animals and ecosystems in South Florida and the Caribbean, was the winner of Power Financial Credit Union's first annual small business makeover challenge last year. The business received a $1,000 Staples gift card, private financial consultations with Power Investments, a marketing consultation with the Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based CU's marketing department, a public relations audit from brainstorm2go inc. and financial literacy employee seminars.

The contest's awards went very far, said Patty Castillo, operations director and biologist at the IRC. The business was able to upgrade its front office operations with Staples products, including a shredder, laminator, guillotine paper trimmer, back-up hard drive, zip disks and general office supplies. The rest of the prize will be used to buy a new flat screen monitor, she added.