Women entrepreneurs running U.S.-based businesses can apply for the Hey Helen Grant, a recurring funding opportunity from Visionaries offering $10,000 in unrestricted cash to one founder each month.

Following its August 2026 round, the Hey Helen Grant moved to a true monthly funding model.

The November 2026 cycle closes November 30, 2026 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.

Even better, founders do not need to complete a new application every month.

One application remains eligible for 12 monthly grant rounds.

What Is the Hey Helen Grant?

The programme was created by Visionaries Media to support women entrepreneurs building for-profit businesses in the United States.

The grant is named after founder Adriane Galea’s grandmother, Helen Roberts.

Its philosophy is simple: provide promising founders with flexible capital they can use wherever their business needs it most.

Each monthly recipient receives $10,000, with no repayment requirement and no equity exchange.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

• Identify as women and own at least 50% of the applicant business;
• Be legal U.S. residents;
• Be 18 years or older;
• Operate a legally registered U.S. for-profit business;
• Generate less than $1 million in annual revenue;
• Have a U.S. business bank account capable of receiving ACH transfers.

Nonbinary applicants who align with the grant’s stated intent are also welcome under the programme rules.

Can Pre-Revenue Businesses Apply?

Yes.

Visionaries explicitly states that pre-revenue founders may apply.

However, the founder should still demonstrate genuine business activity or preparation.

This may include:

• A product or service;
• Customer work;
• Waitlist;
• Website;
• Pre-launch activity;
• Financial activity;
• Other evidence that the company is real.

A founder with nothing beyond an untested idea will naturally have a weaker case than someone already executing.

Which Businesses Are Not Eligible?

Nonprofits are not eligible.

The official terms also exclude certain categories, including gambling, adult-content businesses, cannabis businesses, multi-level marketing businesses and passive investment vehicles.

How Much Is the Grant?

One monthly founder receives:

$10,000 in unrestricted funding

The recipient can use the money for appropriate business needs such as:

• Hiring;
• Marketing;
• Technology;
• Inventory;
• Operations;
• Infrastructure;
• Product development.

Visionaries does not require equity in exchange.

Is There an Application Fee?

Yes.

The programme charges a $15 administrative fee.

There are no additional fees if you win.

The full $10,000 award is paid to the recipient’s business bank account, although winners remain responsible for any applicable tax obligations.

Your Application Stays Active for 12 Months

This is one of the strongest features of the current grant structure.

Once you apply, your application remains under consideration for twelve monthly rounds.

For example, an application submitted during November 2026 can continue to be considered for later monthly awards even if it does not win immediately.

You do not need to pay another fee every month simply to remain in the pool.

What Do Judges Look For?

The official criteria include:

• Founder drive and determination;
• Clear use of funds;
• Evidence the business can build on the grant;
• Strong business foundation;
• Compelling vision for the future.

The application includes several business questions and three longer responses.

Be specific.

Instead of saying you will use the grant for marketing, explain which marketing activity, how much it costs and what result you expect.

November 2026 Deadline

November 30, 2026 at 11:59pm ET

Applications submitted after that monthly cutoff automatically move into the following round.

Official Application Link

Apply for the Hey Helen Grant

Read the official Hey Helen Grant terms

For women founders seeking flexible business funding rather than a narrowly restricted project grant, the Hey Helen Grant is one of the more accessible recurring $10,000 opportunities available in the United States.