Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards

The Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards were established to celebrate entrepreneurs and small business owners who are revolutionizing commerce and advancing social and environmental impact.

📝 About the Awards

PayPal and Global Citizen have partnered to honor innovative leaders of small businesses and social enterprises. These leaders have developed products, services, and business models that create positive social or environmental impact.

Key Details:

• Date Published: July 02, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 15, 2025
• Category: Entrepreneurs

Sponsor Organization:

• Global Citizen

🎁 Benefits

Winners of the awards will receive:

• $25,000 USD cash prize (five winners).
• A free Masterclass training with Global Citizen's Marketing and Social Teams.
• Access to data, insights, highly skilled commerce and payments experts, and marketing/brand activations to accelerate their work and impact.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Requirements:

1. Active Business Leader

   • The applicant must be the business's owner, CEO, or founder and actively involved in business strategy and/or operations.

2. Small-to-Medium Sized Business

   • Business must have fewer than 50 full-time employees or annual revenue under $1 million.
   • Must be registered as a small business in its home country.

3. Demonstrate Community Impact

   • The business should have at least 3 years of operation and show significant, tangible contributions to the local community, such as:
     • Supporting local causes, charities, or nonprofit organizations.
     • Engaging in community development projects or local partnerships.
     • Implementing sustainable practices that benefit the local environment or economy.
     • Creating jobs or providing educational/training opportunities for community members.

4. Serve the Local Community

   • The business must operate and primarily serve the local community.

5. Business Restrictions

   • Cannot be affiliated with an organization from any country or entity subject to financial or other sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or other U.S. government entities.
   • Cannot be a franchise or part of a national or international chain, as the focus is on independent, locally owned enterprises.

📊 Evaluation Criteria

Applicants will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Innovation: How the business’s innovation supports its mission and creates a positive societal or environmental impact.
• Impact: Demonstrated track record of measurable impact over the last 3-5 years, advancing one or more of the Global Goals.
• Vision: Compelling vision and concrete plans for expanding this work in the next 3-5 years.
• Grit: How the business has faced or is overcoming obstacles.

📅 Application Process

The application consists of four parts:

1. About You & Your Business

   • Submit basic information about yourself and your business.

2. Pitch

   • Explain why you deserve this award and provide a 1-2 minute video of your pitch.

3. Judging Criteria Alignment

   • Answer four short questions (250 words or less each) describing how your work meets the Awards’ criteria.

4. Supplemental Organizational Details

   • Provide additional details upon request.

📌 Application Deadline

• August 15, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards here.
• Apply for the awards here.

This is an incredible opportunity for small business leaders to gain recognition, resources, and funding to further their impact. Don't miss out!

• Each winner (five) will win $25,000
• a free Masterclass training with Global Citizen's Marketing and Social Teams.