How can I submit a grant request?

We ONLY accept online applications that are accessible on this website and submitted online. YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE. We DO NOT consider proposals or funding requests received via email. Email requests for partnering will not be considered or evaluated.

Who can apply for a Giving Joy grant?

Women ages 18 and up.  

Do I have to own a business to apply?

No. You can use the grant to start a new business, or expand your existing business. You can also use the grant to start or expand a nonprofit, non-governmental organization (NGO), charity, or propose a specific activity or project you would like to implement.         

Are the grants limited to a certain geography?

No. You can apply for a grant from any country or state or territory in the world.

Are the grants limited to a specific field (like health)?

Absolutely not. You can propose activities in any field, trade, occupation, or craft. However, your business/organization/idea must focus on women, girls and/or families. And all activities must be LEGAL!

What is the duration of the grant?

The grant period is six months.  

Can I submit an application in a language other than English?

Yes, grant applications are accepted in any language that can be translated with Google translate.

What is important to emphasize in the grant application?

• Please make sure you complete all fields in the application form. Applications that are incomplete or too vague to understand cannot be considered.

• Your proposed activities should create clear economic and/or social benefits for women and girls in your community. Giving Joy supports ideas that go beyond personal business growth and instead create opportunities, income, skills, safety, or leadership for multiple women, families, or communities.

When describing your project, try to clearly explain:

1. What you plan to do

2. Who will benefit

3. How women, families, or communities will be positively impacted

We are especially interested in ideas that show initiative, creativity, and real community impact.

• Please be as specific as possible when describing how you will use the $500 grant. Explain exactly what you will purchase or implement and provide an estimated budget. For example, if you plan to organize a training, community event, workshop, or program, include:

1. the activities you will carry out

2. who the participants will be

3. how many people will benefit

4. the estimated costs of materials or activities

• Providing clear and concrete examples of impact strengthens your application. For example: “Training 10 women in construction skills to then support their families.” or “Providing legal workshops for 20 women so they better understand their rights.”

Please note that Giving Joy does not fund activities primarily focused on purchasing merchandise or inventory for resale, advertising, marketing, or personal expenses not connected to broader community impact.

Remember: clear, practical, innovative and creative ideas with real community benefit are more important than polished writing.

Applicants are welcome to respond in any language that can be translated using Google Translate.

I didn’t get a confirmation email after I submitted my application. How do I know it went through?

Once you submit your application online, you will get a message stating that your application was submitted. We do NOT send separate email confirmations. If you do not see a confirmation message, please email info@givingjoygrants.org for confirmation.

How do we score your application?

• Giving Joy reviews each application based on several key criteria to identify projects that will create meaningful impact for women and their communities.

  We consider:

  Alignment with Giving Joy’s mission: Your idea should strengthen and inspire women entrepreneurs and create opportunities for women’s leadership, dignity, and economic independence.

  Social and economic impact: Your project should demonstrate clear potential to benefit women, their families, and their communities.

  Innovation and uniqueness: We look for creative ideas and approaches that stand out and address real challenges faced by women.

  Effective use of the $500 grant: Your application should clearly explain how the grant funds will be used and how they will help move your project forward.

  Clarity and feasibility: Your proposal should be understandable and realistic within the scope of a $500 microgrant.

  We value real impact, initiative, and community benefit over polished writing.

What happens after I submit the application? How am I shortlisted?

• Once you submit your online application, Giving Joy reviews the applications for compliance. A representative from Giving Joy may reach out to you for additional information and/or to clarify your answers. We may also ask for photos of you and your business/organization.

• Giving Joy staff then evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

  o   Proposed grant activities align with the Giving Joy activities

  o   Innovative use of grant funding to achieve activities

  o   Demonstrated grant impact to the applicant, her family, and community (multiplied impact)

• Based on these scoring criteria Giving Joy will shortlist between 10 applications per grant round.

• Due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only inform those who are shortlisted.

• If you DO NOT hear from Giving Joy, your application is deemed unsuccessful. We apologize in advance.  

How do you decide who wins the grant?

Giving Joy Board Members evaluate each shortlisted applicant using the same scoring criteria to identify the initial shortlist. Board members may reach out to individual applicants for additional information and clarification.

Can I apply multiple times for a Giving Joy grant?

Applicants may only apply once per cycle. Once awarded a grant, applicants CANNOT apply again. Applicants who do not receive a grant may apply again in future cycles.

What happens if I win a grant?

• Giving Joy will notify applicants on an individual basis (via email) if their application was successful. Grants are up to $500.00 (five hundred) USD. The award amount will be determined by Giving Joy based on proposed activities and availability of funding.

• Giving Joy will organize a meeting with each awardee to discuss the terms and conditions of the grants, and to review the grant agreement, deliverables, and guidelines.

• Once the grant agreement is signed, grant recipients have up to six months to implement their proposed project.