Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards 2025

Applications for the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards 2025 are now open! This initiative celebrates small businesses that are revolutionizing commerce and advancing social and environmental impact.

📝 About the Awards

PayPal and Global Citizen have partnered to recognize entrepreneurs and small business owners who are driving positive social or environmental change. The awards aim to honor innovative leaders who have developed impactful products, services, or business models.

Key Details:

• Date Published: July 11, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 15, 2025
• Award Amount: $25,000 USD cash prize for each winner
• Category: Contest, Entrepreneurs
• Sponsor Organization: Global Citizen

Benefits:

• $25,000 USD Cash Prize for each of the five winners.
• A free Masterclass training with Global Citizen's Marketing and Social Teams.
• Access to data, insights, and highly skilled commerce and payments experts.
• Marketing and brand activations to accelerate the winners' work and impact.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the awards, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Active Business Leader

• Must be the business's owner, CEO, or founder.
• Actively involved in business strategy and/or operations.

2. Small-to-Medium Sized Business

• Fewer than 50 full-time employees or annual revenue under $1 million.
• Registered as a small business in its home country.

3. Demonstrate Community Impact

• At least 3 years of operation.
• 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 primarily operate and serve the local community.

5. Business Restrictions

• Cannot be affiliated with any organization 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/international chain. The focus is on independent, locally owned enterprises.

🏆 Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

• 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: A compelling vision and concrete plans for expanding the work in the next 3-5 years.
• Grit: Overcoming obstacles and demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges.

📅 Application Process

1. Submit your application through the official portal.

2. If selected as one of the 15 finalists, you will be contacted on or around September 22, 2025 to submit 3 letters of recommendation:

   • From a colleague.
   • From a funder or operational partner.
   • From a person you’ve impacted.

3. Finalists may also be required to provide supplemental information, including:

   • Business registration details (e.g., certificate of registration, incorporation, or tax exemption).
   • Annual report and/or business plan.

4. Instructions for submitting letters of recommendation and supplemental information will be provided to finalists. Failure to provide the required documents by the deadline may result in disqualification.

📌 Application Deadline

August 15, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards.
• Apply directly via the official application portal.

Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your innovative small business and its positive impact on the community!

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