It started four years ago with a $151 check to Horses Helping Heroes, a therapeutic equine program for wounded warriors.

Since then, the Round Up program at A. Dodson’s — a group of three boutiques that sell artsy, eclectic apparel and home décor — has donated more than $50,000 to 54 nonprofit organizations in Hampton Roads, said owner Alison Dodson.

The community-giving program has also helped earn A. Dodson’s a third nomination as quarterfinalist for Independent Small Business of the Year Award. The award is given annually by Independent We Stand, a Virginia Beach-based organization that promotes small, independent businesses nationwide with the contest based on daily digital media votes.

A. Dodson’s is one of the top 25 businesses nationwide — and one of two in Virginia — nominated for the award by customers via social media, said Tara Mazzarella, account coordinator for Independent We Stand. The other local business is Metamorphosis Salon and Spa in Virginia Beach.

“The contest builds awareness for small, independent businesses around the country … and gets those communities excited about their small businesses,” Mazzarella said.

Voters can go to the organization’s website, www.IndieBizAward.com, to vote for their favorite business once every 24 hours until Dec. 13, Mozzarella said. The winner — which will be determined by the number of votes — will be announced on Dec. 16.

The winner will receive a prize valued at $10,000, which includes a $5,000 cash prize.

If A. Dodson’s wins, the company will donate the $5,000 program into its community-giving program, Dodson said.

“This has become a focal point for our company. It helps us stay grounded,” said Dodson, whose business in headquartered in a bright teal house on Bridge Road in Suffolk. In recent years, she has opened locations in Norfolk’s Ghent and the Hilltop area of Virginia Beach.

When customers are checking out, they are asked if they want to round up their purchase to the next dollar, Dodson said. The company matches employee contributions. At the end of each month, A. Dodson’s writes a check one of three nonprofits voted upon by customers on the retailer’s Facebook page the previous month.