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Funding your vision. Fueling your future.
The Hey Helen Grant gives $5,000 in financial support to women founders building impactful, mission-driven businesses in the U.S. Deadline to apply: August 29, 2025.
Open to businesses making $25,000 - $1,000,000 per year.
What Is the Hey Helen Grant?
The Hey Helen Grant is a privately funded initiative by Visionaries that invests in women entrepreneurs building impact-driven, for-profit businesses in the U.S.
Each grant cycle, one founder will receive a $5,000 unrestricted cash award — designed to fuel whatever moves your business forward, whether that’s operations, growth, marketing, hiring, or infrastructure. If more than 1,000 qualified applications are received, an additional $1,000 award may be unlocked.
This grant is open to businesses that are 100% women-owned, generate between $25K–$1M in annual revenue, and are legally registered in the United States. Nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth or who feel aligned with the intent of the grant are also welcome to apply.
If you’re building something with purpose, grit, and integrity — and just need a little extra backing to take the next leap — you’re in the right place.
How It Works
We’ll ask a few quick questions about your business, revenue, then ask you to tell us more about your vision, how you’re making an impact, and what this funding would help you do next. This round of applications closes August 29, 2025 at 11;59pm EDT.
Step 2: We’ll review all submissions
Our internal team will assess applications based on clarity, alignment with values, and demonstrated potential.
Step 3: Winners are notified and funds are distributed
Two recipients will be selected by September 19, 2025, with funds distributed via ACH by October 3, 2025.
What You’ll Get
You’ll also receive:
- A feature on Visionaries platforms
- Optional opportunities for press and visibility
Who Should Apply
- Identify as women and own 100% of the applicant business
- Are legal U.S. residents, age 18 or older
- Are actively operating a for-profit business generating between $25,000 and $1 million in annual revenue
- Have a U.S.-based business bank account capable of receiving ACH transfers and impact
We welcome applications from across industries — tech, education, retail, service, products, and more.
Meet Helen
Meet my grandma, Helen Roberts. She was equal parts sass and class, fiercely loyal, independent (sometimes to a fault), and incredibly generous — the kinda gal who’d give you her last dollar and then offer to share her plate of PB & crackers. To everyone — my friends, my students, my colleagues — she was gma.
I ran my first business out of her house for many years, and she was an eternal supporter of what I was building. As a kid, she supported my crazy dreams of helping pop musicians get discovered and growing a music magazine, driving all over the country with me to festivals and concerts before I could drive myself. (Which my grandpa and mom weren't always thrilled about, to which she'd stubbornly reply, "I'm a grown woman and I'll do what I want!")
She wasn’t a traditional entrepreneur, but she understood what it meant to believe in people before the rest of the world caught up. She taught me how to follow my instincts, back my ideas, and never let anyone else define what’s possible.
The Hey Helen Grant is named in her honor because she embodied the kind of support and belief that every founder deserves. She didn’t need a pitch deck to back you — once she believed in you, she was in.
This grant does the same.
Me and gma Helen
You've got questions? We've got answers.
Who can apply for the Hey Helen Grant?
Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria: You must identify as a woman and own 100% of the applicant business, be a legal U.S. resident aged 18 or older, operate a for-profit business generating between $25K–$1M in annual revenue, and have a U.S. business bank account.
How are recipients chosen?
Applications are evaluated through a qualitative review process by the Sponsor or designated selection panel. We're looking for clarity of vision, demonstrated or potential community impact, and a clear, intentional plan for how the funds will be used within six months to move your business forward. No purchase, affiliation, or promotion of Visionaries is required to be considered.
Will I need to verify my revenue?
Yes, but only once you’re selected as a recipient. If chosen for a grant, you’ll be required to submit documentation confirming your business’s annual revenue falls between $25K–$1M. If you're not able to provide verification within 10 days of notification, the award will be offered to another applicant.
What can I use the grant money for?
Pretty much anything that supports your business growth — marketing, hiring, tech, operations, inventory, etc. You’ll need to have a plan for how you want to use it when you apply (nothing overly detailed, just a summary).
Is there a fee to apply?
Nope. The Hey Helen Grant is completely free to apply for, at least for this round.
What’s the deadline to apply?
Applications for the Q3 grant close on August 29, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT. No late submissions will be accepted.
When will winners be announced?
Recipients will be notified by September 19, 2025, and funds will be distributed by October 3, 2025.
Will I be notified either way?
As long as you remain on our email list, yes, all decisions and final outcomes will be sent to subscribed audience members.
Who are the past winners?
This is the first round of the Hey Helen Grant. There are no past recipients… yet!
Do Visionaries Collective members or Visionaries clients get preference?
No. The Visionaries Collective is our paid networking membership for business owners — but all applications are reviewed equally. Being a member or client does not impact your chances.
Who selects the winners?
Recipients will be chosen by an independent selection panel. Panelists for this round are still being finalized.
Can I get feedback on my application?
Due to anticipated volume, we’re unable to provide individual feedback.
Are nonprofits eligible?
No. Only for-profit businesses are eligible to apply.
I haven’t started my business yet. Can I still apply?
This grant is for businesses that are already operational and generating revenue. If you're still in the idea or pre-revenue stage, you won't be eligible this round.
Can I apply again if I’m not selected this time?
Yes! You’re welcome to reapply in a future round, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
Where can I see the full rules rules, eligibility requirements, and details?
Click here for full terms and conditions.
Ready to do this? Say Hey Helen, and let's get started!
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