$500 Giving Joy Microgrant (Fall 2026)
- Organization: Giving Joy
- Type: Grant
- Location: Global
- Deadline: September 30, 2026
- Funding: Fully Funded
Giving Joy is a Massachusetts nonprofit that has funded 112 women entrepreneurs across 37 countries since 2018. Its Fall 2026 round awards one-time microgrants of up to $500 USD to women aged 18 and over, in any country, to start or grow a business, nonprofit or community project that benefits women, girls and families. You do not need to already own a business, and an idea you have not started yet is eligible. **What you get:** - A one-time microgrant of up to $500 USD, with the exact amount set by Giving Joy based on your proposed activities and available funding - Six months to carry out your project, running from the signed grant agreement - Coaching and mentorship from Giving Joy, who stay in regular contact with recipients through and beyond the grant period - A place in the alumni community where past winners share resources, advice and support - Between five and ten grants are awarded each cycle **What you'll do:** - Complete a 12 page online application, which Giving Joy estimates takes 10 to 15 minutes - Describe a specific business, organisation or activity that creates economic or social benefit for women, girls or families in your community - Give an itemised budget naming the top three to five things you would buy and their estimated cost - Explain how many women, families and community members would benefit - If selected, meet Giving Joy to review the grant agreement, deliverables and guidelines, then deliver the project within six months and submit a mid term and a final report **Key dates:** - Applications opened September 1, 2026 - Applications close September 30, 2026 - Review period October 1 to November 30, 2026, during which only shortlisted applicants are contacted - If you have not heard from Giving Joy by December 1, 2026, your application was not successful - Awards announced at the beginning of December 2026 **More information:** - The full FAQs, the 2026 cycle timeline and the five scoring criteria are published on the Giving Joy grant application page - Past winners, with their projects and countries, are listed on the Giving Joy grant winners page - Giving Joy publishes a 2025 annual report and displays a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency for 2026 - Giving Joy moved to two global cycles a year in 2026, replacing four regional rounds; the Spring 2026 round closed on April 30, 2026

