Hey Helen Grant

Grant Overview

The Hey Helen Grant awards $10,000 in unrestricted cash to one US woman founder every cycle. CeCe Cheng’s ShareWell expansion demonstrates how winners allocate funds to Spanish-language peer support features. Three application cycles run yearly, with the next deadline on July 31, 2026. One winner each time.

The $15 non-refundable fee filters serious applicants, which sounds harsh until you consider the alternative: hundreds of rushed submissions that waste everyone’s time. Which matters.

Key Grant Information

Active

80 days left

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Hey Helen Grant

Funded by Visionaries Media LLC

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Grant Snapshot

Grant Award

$10,000

Application Deadline

July 31, 2026 80 days left

Eligible Region

United States

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Eligibility and Benefits

Eligibility Criteria

• 100% women-owned or nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth or aligned with the grant's intent for-profit
• US business registration and bank account required
• Annual gross revenue under $1,000,000
• Revenue verification only if selected as winner

Grant Benefits

• $10000
• Unrestricted use with 80% alignment to application purpose

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Focus Areas

Hey Helen Grant women entrepreneur grant unrestricted business grant

Before you wonder if your business qualifies, let me show you what the Hey Helen Grant actually funds. Quick check. Unrestricted doesn’t mean “spend it anywhere” – it means you decide how the $10K creates impact, with at least 80% aligning to what you described in your application. Which gives you room to pivot when real business needs shift. The remaining 20%? That’s your buffer for unexpected costs or opportunities. I like that balance because it acknowledges planning matters but so does adaptability.

Checking your fit takes seconds with our interactive tool. Seconds, not hours.

If the tool shows you’re eligible, the next step is submitting your full application through our intake modal – that’s where our experts can review your narrative before you pay the $15 fee. Unsure about a requirement like revenue verification timing? Our grant experts offer live 1-on-1 video or phone consultations to walk through your specific situation. And if this grant isn’t the right match right now, we’ll route you to related opportunities that better fit your business stage and goals.

What the $10K Hey Helen Grant actually funds

CeCe Cheng’s ShareWell expansion wasn’t theoretical – she used the $10K to hire developers for Spanish-language peer support features, allocated 20% to community outreach, and kept 10% for legal and operational setup. That breakdown came straight from Visionaries’ press release about the first winner. So when the application asks how you’ll use the funds, think concrete milestones, not vague inspiration. Because reviewers prioritize feasibility and mission alignment in their decisions. Which means your six-month plan needs specific, measurable outcomes.

Wait – I almost forgot to mention the application format itself. It’s text-only, no file uploads at submission, with three narrative questions. That detail matters because you can’t just attach your pitch deck and hope. Every word carries weight when there are no visuals to back you up. So drafting your responses outside the portal first isn’t optional – it’s essential, especially since the form requires focused attention. Because the portal demands your full narrative in one session, losing progress means starting over. Which is why I recommend drafting your responses in a separate document first, then copying them into the form when you’re ready to submit. And remember: applications submitted after 11:59pm EDT on a cycle deadline automatically roll to the next cycle – you don’t re-apply or pay the fee again. That rollover policy is a safety net worth knowing about if your timeline gets tight. Every word counts.

Hey Helen Grant eligibility: who truly qualifies

The core requirements are specific but not narrow: your business must be 100% women-owned or led by a nonbinary person assigned female at birth or aligned with the grant’s intent, legally registered in the US or its territories, generating under $1M in annual gross revenue, and operating as a for-profit entity. Pre-revenue businesses can apply if they demonstrate activity through online presence or client work. Pre-revenue counts. Revenue verification only happens if you’re selected as a winner – you’d have 10 days to provide documentation after notification. That timing detail reduces upfront friction, which I appreciate because sharing financials before knowing if you’ve won feels risky for many founders.

Because eligibility isn’t just about checking boxes. The grant explicitly welcomes nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth or aligned with its mission, which expands access beyond a binary definition while staying true to Helen’s story. And the US bank account requirement for ACH disbursement isn’t bureaucratic – it’s practical, ensuring funds reach winners quickly once verified. If you’re borderline on any requirement, our consultation service connects you with a grant expert for a live 1-on-1 video or phone call to review your specific situation before you invest time in the application. Also note: disputing the $15 fee triggers permanent disqualification from all Visionaries programs.

How the application actually works

Three questions, text-only fields, no file uploads at submission. That’s the entire application mechanics, but don’t let the short format fool you. Each response has an informal word guidance, and the selection committee evaluates mission alignment, feasibility of your six-month plan, founder authenticity, and financial clarity. So while you’re not uploading a budget spreadsheet upfront, your narrative still needs to demonstrate how the $10K creates measurable impact. I found that evaluation framework in grant consultant analysis that reviewed winner patterns – it aligns with what Visionaries emphasizes in their communications.

Because the portal has no save-and-return feature, losing your draft means starting over. Which is why I recommend drafting your responses in a separate document first, then copying them into the form when you’re ready to submit. And remember: applications submitted after 11:59pm EDT on a cycle deadline automatically roll to the next cycle – you don’t re-apply or pay the fee again. That rollover policy came from a direct email response from Visionaries support, and it’s a safety net worth knowing about if your timeline gets tight.

Selection criteria: what reviewers actually look for

Mission alignment carries significant weight, which means your application needs to connect your business purpose to Helen’s story of community impact and founder resilience. Feasibility requires a concrete six-month plan with measurable milestones, not just “grow my business” vagueness. Founder authenticity rewards genuine voice over corporate polish – reviewers can spot templated responses. And financial clarity means showing you understand basic unit economics, even if you’re pre-revenue. That evaluation framework emerges from winner analysis and donor communications, which is why our expert review service focuses on translating your story into criteria-aligned language before you submit.

Which brings me to the $15 fee. Non-refundable, mandatory, processed at submission. It’s small compared to the $10K potential award, but it’s real money for a bootstrapped founder. So before you pay, consider having our experts review your narrative draft – they catch phrasing that might trigger rejection even if your business qualifies. Because the fee isn’t the barrier; it’s the opportunity cost of submitting a weak application that wastes both the fee and your cycle slot.

Hey Helen Grant timeline: three annual application cycles

Cycles close at the end of April, August, and December. The current round ends on July 31, 2026. Notification arrives roughly 30 days later with funds via ACH soon after for the winner. Late entries roll forward automatically and stay on file for a year. This rhythm differs from the separate Visionaries Pitch Competition that demands live elements and bigger visibility. You can explore both if your business fits each set of rules.

Explore related women-founder opportunities via Grantaura matching

After you win: what happens next

If selected, you’ll receive notification via email within approximately 30 days of the cycle close. Then comes verification: you’ll have 10 days to provide revenue documentation, business registration proof, bank account details for ACH, and a signed grant agreement. Funds disburse via ACH only – no checks or PayPal – within about 30 days after verification completes. Post-award, you must use the full amount within six months, with at least 80% aligning to your application purpose, and submit a usage report using Visionaries’ provided template. That report keeps the burden light while ensuring accountability.

Because flexibility has boundaries. The 80% alignment rule means you can’t pivot entirely away from your stated plan, but the buffer acknowledges real business needs shift. And the six-month usage window creates urgency without being punitive. I appreciate that balance because it treats founders like adults who can manage funds responsibly while still providing guardrails for donor accountability.

Hey Helen Grant frequently asked questions

Q: Is the Hey Helen Grant legitimate?
A: Yes. It’s a privately funded initiative by Visionaries Media LLC with verified winner announcements and ACH disbursement.

Q: How much is the award?
A: $10,000 in unrestricted cash to one winner per cycle.

Q: Who is eligible?
A: 100% women-owned or nonbinary-aligned for-profit US businesses under $1M annual revenue. Pre-revenue businesses qualify if active.

Q: Is there an application fee?
A: Yes, a $15 non-refundable administrative fee. Disputing this fee results in permanent disqualification from Visionaries programs.

Q: What are the application questions?
A: Three text-only narrative questions about your business mission, fund use plan, and 12-month vision. No file uploads required at submission.

Q: When are deadlines?
A: Three cycles yearly closing April 30, August 30, and December 30. The next deadline is July 31, 2026.

Hey Helen Grant glossary

• Unrestricted cash: Funds you decide how to spend, with at least 80% aligning to your stated application purpose.
• ACH disbursement: Direct bank transfer method used to distribute grant funds to US business accounts.
• Post-award report: Summary of fund usage due within six months of disbursement using Visionaries’ template.
• Nonbinary-aligned: Eligibility category welcoming nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth or aligned with the grant’s mission-driven intent.
• Text-only application: Submission format requiring narrative responses without file uploads or attachments.
• Revenue verification: Documentation proving under $1M annual gross revenue, required only if selected as winner.
• Triannual cycles: Three application deadlines yearly in April, August, and December.
• Mission alignment: Evaluation criterion measuring how your business purpose connects to Helen’s story of community impact.
• Feasibility planning: Evaluation criterion requiring concrete six-month milestones for how funds create measurable impact.
• Founder authenticity: Evaluation criterion rewarding genuine voice and specific examples over templated corporate language.
• Financial clarity: Evaluation criterion assessing understanding of basic unit economics even for pre-revenue businesses.
• Rollover policy: Rule allowing late applications to automatically consider for next cycle without re-application or additional fee.

Related women-founder opportunities

If the Hey Helen Grant’s narrative-heavy format doesn’t fit your strengths, or if you missed the July 31, 2026 deadline, other opportunities might align better. Our grants matching tool helps you compare fit before investing application time across different friction points and cycle structures.

How Grantaura strengthens your Hey Helen submission

If you got stuck on crafting a narrative that balances mission alignment with feasibility, our application writing service helps translate your story into criteria-aligned language with the informal word guidance in mind. Because the selection evaluation isn’t published, guessing what reviewers want creates risk – our experts have analyzed winner patterns to identify what resonates. And if you’re anxious about the $15 fee before knowing if your draft is competitive, our expert review catches disqualifying phrasing before you submit. Which means you pay the fee with more confidence, not less.

Because the text-only format means every word counts, and the portal requires focused attention. Our expert review lets you work outside the form, then submit with support when you’re ready. And if you’re unsure whether your revenue documentation will qualify post-selection, our consultation service connects you with a grant expert for a live 1-on-1 video or phone call to review your specifics. These aren’t generic services – they’re targeted responses to the friction points documented in Hey Helen’s application mechanics.

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About the author

I research grants so you don’t have to waste time on opportunities that don’t fit. When I found the Hey Helen Grant’s text-only format and narrative evaluation approach, I dug into winner stories and application walkthroughs to surface what donor pages omit. Because serious applicants deserve transparency about effort, odds, and friction – not just promotional hype. If you want to see how I approach other women-founder grants, visit my author profile. Or if you’d prefer a live conversation about your specific situation, book a consultation with our grant experts.

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  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/visionaries-pitch-competition/",
    "custom_description": "Same donor, Visionaries, offers a complementary path for women founders through a live pitch format with a larger $40K award. Consider this if you prefer presenting your vision verbally rather than through text-only narrative responses."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/chasm-momentum-grant/",
    "custom_description": "Serves women entrepreneurs with similar revenue ranges and a narrative-heavy application approach. The Chasm Momentum Grant offers $25K and may suit founders who want a different evaluation framework than Hey Helen's mission-alignment focus."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/amber-grants-by-womensnet/",
    "custom_description": "Monthly $1K awards for women entrepreneurs provide more frequent application opportunities compared to Hey Helen's quarterly cycles. Amber Grants use a simpler submission process if you prefer less narrative depth per application."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/breva-thrive-grant-5000-quarterly/",
    "custom_description": "Quarterly $5K unrestricted grants for US small businesses share Hey Helen's cycle rhythm but with a lower award amount and broader eligibility. Consider Breva if your revenue exceeds Hey Helen's $1M cap or if you prefer a different donor."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/empower-growth-fund-bbfounders/",
    "custom_description": "Focuses on underrepresented founders with mission-driven businesses, similar to Hey Helen's audience. The Empower Growth Fund offers $5K and may appeal if you want to explore grants specifically targeting diverse ownership structures."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/mona-small-business-impact-grant/",
    "custom_description": "Unrestricted $5K funding for impact-focused small businesses aligns with Hey Helen's flexibility philosophy. Mona's application is also short-form, making it a good parallel option if you want to apply to multiple narrative-based grants."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/her-agenda-breakthrough-grant/",
    "custom_description": "Women entrepreneurs seeking narrative-heavy application processes may find Her Agenda's Breakthrough Grants familiar. The format emphasizes storytelling and mission alignment, similar to Hey Helen's selection priorities."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/stitchcrew-grants-for-female-entrepreneurs/",
    "custom_description": "US-based female founders looking for business growth funding can explore StitchCrew's VESTing Women program. It shares Hey Helen's geographic focus and women-founder audience while offering a different application structure."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/liberte-foundation-beauty/",
    "custom_description": "Beauty industry women entrepreneurs can consider Liberté Foundation's $10K grants, which match Hey Helen's award amount and unrestricted use policy. This is a sector-specific alternative if your business operates in beauty or personal care."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/skip-10000-grants/",
    "custom_description": "Skip's $10K grants award two prizes monthly to US small businesses, offering more frequent opportunities than Hey Helen's quarterly cycles. The unrestricted cash model and similar award amount make this a logical parallel application target."
  }
]