2025 Global Citizen-PayPal Small Business Impact Award
Terms & Conditions
The Promoter is Global Poverty Project, Inc. d/b/a Global Citizen, a New York not-for-profit corporation, with offices located at 740 Broadway, Suite 400, New York, New York, 10003 (“Promoter”). The Sponsor is PayPal, Inc., with offices located at 2211 North First Street, San Jose, California 95131 (“Sponsor”).
By entering the 2025 Global Citizen Prize: Global Citizen-PayPal Small Business Impact Award (the “Competition”), entrants accept these Terms & Conditions of entry.
Entry into this Competition is open to owners, CEOs or founders of a Qualified Small Business, who are aged eighteen (18) years of age or older by April 2, 2025, and are still actively involved with the business strategy and/or operations of the Qualified Small Business in which they are applying on behalf of (“QSB Owners”).
For purposes of the Competition, a “Qualified Small Business” (“QSB”) is any independently owned business that
is duly qualified and licensed to do business and operate in the local community of its home country and primarily serve that area;
has fewer than fifty (50) full-time employees;
generates less than one million ($1,000,000) in total annual revenue, subject to local regulations and standards;
have a minimum of three (3) years of operations;
demonstrate significant, tangible contributions to its local community, which may include, but is not limited to: supporting local causes, charities or non-profit organizations, engaging in community development projects or local partnerships, implementing sustainable practices that benefit the local environment or economy, creating jobs or providing educational or training opportunities for community members.
Entrants may be located, and their Qualified Small Business may be operated, anywhere in the world.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Competition is void where prohibited by applicable law, and is not open to: (A) employees of Promoter, Sponsor or any of Promoter’s or Sponsor’s affiliates or related companies, or any of their immediate family members; (B) any individuals who have (or whose Qualified Small Business has) previously received prize funding or any grant or similar funding from Sponsor or any of its affiliates or related companies or foundations; (C) individuals that are the subject or target of, or are from any country, region or entity that is the subject or target of, financial or other sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or other government entity of the United States of America that may restrict the transfer of the Prize (as defined below); (D) individuals applying on behalf of businesses that are part of a franchise, national or international chain of businesses; and (E) individuals who are registered with or whose activities, including participation in the Competition or receipt of the Prize, requires or would require disclosure or registration (or whose Qualified Small Business’ activities or involvement with the Competition would require any such disclosure or registration) under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or who otherwise represent or are acting as agents of any domestic or foreign government, governmental entity, political instrumentality or regulatory body.
To enter the Competition, QSB Owners must follow the instructions at globalcitizen.org/programs/small-business. Entries must be submitted between June 26 10:00AM PST - August 15, 17:00PM PST 2025. Promoter will determine in its sole discretion [(after consultation with Sponsor)] whether any business is a Qualified Small Business and whether any QSB Owner meets the requirements for the Competition and has complied with the entrance requirements and instructions (any such qualifying owner, an “Entrant”). Limit one (1) entry per Qualified Small Business.
Entrants will be evaluated based on responses to the application questions and criteria, which include: “Innovation, Impact, Vision, and Grit”
Up to fifteen (15) Entrants may be selected by Promoter (each, a “Prize Finalist”) for further consideration, and will be required to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. All Entrants should be prepared at the time of entry with letters of recommendation for submission. Additional supplemental information may be requested of Prize Finalists in the sole discretion of Promoter and Sponsor, including but not limited to participation in media assessments and background checks. By entering the Competition, Entrants consent to Promoter, Sponsor or their respective agents or representatives performing any such background checks and acknowledge that the results of the foregoing may be taken into account in determining the Prize Winners. If selected as a Prize Finalist, the application and letters of recommendation submitted will be judged by a panel of representatives from both Sponsor and Promoter, as well as esteemed activists and leaders in the international development field.
Ultimately, five (5) Prize Finalists will be selected as the prize winners for the Competition (each, a “Prize Winner”). A cash prize in the amount of twenty five thousand United States dollars (USD $25,000) will be awarded to the Qualified Small Business of each Prize Winner (the “Prize”), subject to the terms herein, including Section 7. Each Prize Winner will be selected by the Promoter in Promoter’s sole discretion taking into account, among other things, the criteria set forth in section 5 above, and with consideration of the opinions of external judges (selected by Promoter in Promoter’s sole discretion).
To be eligible to receive the Prize, each Prize Finalist must:
at the request of Promoter, be available at a date and time prior to November 10, 2025 selected by Promoter for Promoter’s film crews to film packages featuring the Prize Finalist’s Qualified Small Business, illustrating the impact of the Qualified Small Business and showcasing how Sponsor supports such Qualified Small Business; unless otherwise mutually agreed, such activities will take place at the place of business for the Qualified Small Business for which the Prize Finalist applied; provided that if the Prize Finalist cannot be available on the date and time proposed by Promoted without undue hardship, Promoter will select an alternative date, reasonably acceptable to the Prize Finalist, prior to November 2025;
be available for filming purposes at such other mutually agreed upon times and places in 2025 to be featured in other content, presentations or events promoted by Promoter or Sponsor with respect to the Competition or their respective activities, including to highlight best practices to serve as a resource for other small business owners;
at the request of Promoter, attend and/or participate in the “Global Citizen NOW” and/or “Global Citizen Festival” events to held in 2025 [or 2026]; and, as such, the Entrant must hold a valid passport and will be solely responsible for obtaining any requisite visas and complying with any other requirements for travel and attendance at such event(s), including any applicable travel procedures or protocols that may be issued from time to time by international, national or local authorities or regulatory organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control (our local equivalent);
agree to accept and distribute the Prize to the Qualified Small Business on behalf of which they applied;
agree to provide quarterly written updates to Promoter and Sponsor on the Qualified Small Business’ progress for a period of three (3) years and;
agree to media interviews and appearances for a period of three (3) years, and grant to the Promoter and Sponsor the rights set forth in Section 8 of these Terms & Conditions.
Each Prize Finalist hereby grants to the Promoter, Sponsor, and their respective affiliates, and each of their respective direct and indirect successors, licensees, and assigns, a perpetual, worldwide right to use such Prize Finalist’s name, image, likeness, biographical and professional information, and any related content, including information such Prize Finalist provides to Promoter and Sponsor and any other information about such Prize Finalist that is publicly available, in connection with the Competition and marketing campaigns of or any platforms owned by Promoter or Sponsor, without further consent from or any royalty, payment, or other compensation to Promoter or Sponsor.
In addition to the Prize, Sponsor will pay the following for the Prize Winner (if travel is required by Promoter);
return economy airfare on a commercial flight to any 2025 Global Citizen events that the Prize Winner is required to attend and/or to locations for purposes of filming the broadcast of any such 2025 Global Citizen event(s), with the flight(s) originating from and returning to the Prize Winner’s nearest local or regional airport;
hotel accommodation for attendance at any such 2025 Global Citizen events or for purposes of filming the broadcast thereof, as applicable;
costs on the ground at such 2025 Global Citizen events where attendance of Prize Winner is requested, to be set in sole discretion of Global Citizen and communicated to Prize Winner prior to travel period, as applicable;
ground transportation to and from event(s) hosted by Promoter and/or Sponsor or filming locations, where attendance of the Prize Winner is requested;
visa processing fees for the Prize Winner, not exceeding USD $500 in total, to be reimbursed to the Prize Winner following Sponsor’s receipt of an invoice detailing such fees.
The approximate aggregate value of the expenses outlined in section 9 above is Three Thousand Two Hundred United States dollars (USD$3,200.00) provided, however, that said value may change depending on, inter alia, Prize Winner’s location, point of departure, and time of travel.
If travel is requested, neither Promoter nor Sponsor will be liable for any expenses other than the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by Sponsor as expressly outlined above. The Prize Winner will be solely responsible for, including but not limited to costs for passports, insurance, transport to and from departure point, additional transfers, items of a personal nature, in-room charges and all other ancillary costs. Furthermore, Promoter and Sponsor shall not be liable, and the Prize Winner hereby releases Promoter and Sponsor from any liability for each said party’s inability to obtain the requisite entry documents to travel to the Competition or filming location. The Prize Winner must depart from and return to the same departure point. Itineraries are to be determined by the Promoter in its absolute discretion.
Any Prize Winner who fails to meet all eligibility requirements or who does not comply with the official rules and regulations of the Competition, as determined by the Sponsor and Promoter in their respective discretion, will forfeit their Prize, and an alternate Prize Winner may be selected. Once a Prize is considered forfeited, neither Sponsor nor Promoter will have any further obligations to the Prize Winner.
Promoter intends to select the Prize Winner(s) at its headquarters, 740 Broadway, Suite 400, New York New York on or around October 2, 2025. Promoter will make commercially reasonable efforts to contact each Prize Winner by email or phone within five (5) business days of selection. The identity of the Prize Winner(s) shall remain confidential until such time as the Promoter, in its absolute discretion, determines an appropriate time and manner for public announcement. Any such announcement shall be considered as approval by the Prize Winner(s) to have their name and/or likeness used in connection with the promotion, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Each Prize Winner agrees to maintain the confidentiality of their selection until the Promoter has publicly announced the results. Prize Winner(s) must not disclose, publish, or share any information regarding their selection, the Prize, or any related matters without the prior written consent of the Promoter. The Promoter shall handle all personal information of Prize Winner(s) in accordance with applicable privacy laws and the Promoter’s Privacy Policy.
This Competition is a game of skill and as such, the winner is selected based on the creativity and qualifications of entries submitted.
The Prize Winner is advised that tax implications may arise from their prize winning and may wish to seek independent financial, tax, or legal advice before accepting the Prize. The Promoter and Sponsor make no representations or warranties regarding the tax treatment of the Prize and shall not be responsible for any tax liabilities incurred by the Prize Winner. Prizes will be paid through wire transfer solely to a bank account registered in the name of the Prize Winner’s Qualified Small Business. The Prize Winner must provide valid banking details that match the registered business name. No Prize shall be paid in cash or to personal accounts. By accepting the Prize, the Prize Winner agrees to assume full responsibility for all federal, state, and local taxes, including income taxes, sales taxes, and any other taxes, fees, or other charges associated with the receipt or use of the Prize. As a condition of receiving the Prize, the Prize Winner must comply with all applicable Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws and regulations. The Promoter reserves the right to verify the identity, business registration, and financial standing of the Prize Winner through appropriate documentation, which may include but is not limited to: (a) government-issued identification of the Prize Winner and/or business owners; (b) proof of business registration and legal entity status; (c) recent bank statements confirming ownership of the designated business account; and (d) any additional documentation as required to comply with applicable KYC and AML regulations. The Promoter reserves the right to withhold, delay, or revoke the Prize if: (a) the Prize Winner fails to provide the required KYC/AML documentation within the timeframe specified by the Promoter; (b) the provided documentation is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or fraudulent; (c) the Prize Winner or their business is found to be engaged in activities that violate applicable laws, including but not limited to financial crimes, fraud, or money laundering; or (d) any other reason that, in the Promoter’s reasonable discretion, raises concerns about legal or regulatory compliance.
Each Entrant hereby grants Promoter, Sponsor, and their respective affiliates, and each of their respective direct and indirect successors, licensees, and assigns, the perpetual, worldwide right to use such Entrant’s name, city, name of the Qualified Small Business and other information as contained in the entry application or provided by such Entrant to Promoter or Sponsor, for publicity and Competition purposes and to generally promote the charitable endeavors and mission of Promoter and Sponsor, without further consent from or any royalty, payment, or other compensation to Promoter or Sponsor.
The Promoter and Sponsor shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, or expense of any kind (including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, special, or consequential loss or damage), whether arising in contract, tort (including negligence), equity, statute, or otherwise, which is suffered or incurred by any Entrant in connection with the Prize, this promotion, or participation in any related activities, except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Promoter and Sponsor shall not be responsible for: (a) any technical malfunctions, interruptions, or failures, including those affecting the submission, receipt, or processing of entries; (b) any incorrect or inaccurate information provided by entrants or third parties; (c) any loss, damage, or injury suffered as a result of accepting, using, or participating in the Prize; (d) any tax implications that may arise from the acceptance or use of the Prize; or (e) any delay, rescheduling, or cancellation of the Prize for reasons beyond their control.
As a condition of accepting the Prize, each Prize Winner and their designated Qualified Small Business must sign any and all legal documentation as and in the form required by Promoter, including but not limited to a legal release and indemnity form.
Each Entrant's personal information ("PI") is collected to enable Promoter to administer and promote this Competition and select the Prize Winner. The PI of each Entrant may be provided to third parties who are assisting the Promoter, including Sponsor, deliverers, and authorities that regulate competitions. Entrants who fail to provide complete and accurate requested PI, may be determined by Promoter, at its sole discretion, to be ineligible to win a prize. Notwithstanding the foregoing, errors and omissions may be accepted at Promoter's discretion. Failure by Promoter to enforce any of its rights at any stage does not constitute a waiver of those rights. The collection, use and disclosure of personal information provided in connection with this promotion is further governed by Promoter’s Privacy Policy to the extent applicable.
Promoter and Sponsor and their respective affiliates and related companies, and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (collectively, “Representatives”) assume no responsibility for and hereby disclaim any error, omission, interruption, corruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, any entries. Promoter, Sponsor and their affiliates and Representatives are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer networks and systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Promoter or Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site, or any combination of them, including any injury or damage to any Entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials related to this Competition. By entering the Competition, to the extent permitted by applicable law, each Entrant expressly and unconditionally releases and holds Promoter and Sponsor harmless from any and all liability for any injuries, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the use and/or misuse of PI or other data provided by such Entrant to Promoter or Sponsor.
This Competition is governed by U.S. law and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This Competition is void where prohibited by law. All issues and questions concerning the validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Terms & Conditions, the conduct of the Competition and the award of any Prize, or the rights and obligations of the Entrant, Sponsor and Promoter in connection herewith or therewith, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, U.S.A., without given effect to the conflict of law rules thereof, and any matters or proceedings, shall take place in the State of New York, in the city of New York, country of New York.
Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who Promoter has reason to believe has breached any of these conditions, or engaged in any unlawful or other improper misconduct calculated to jeopardize the fair and proper conduct of the Competition. Promoter and Sponsor’s legal rights to recover damages or other compensation from such an offender are reserved.
If for any reason the Competition is not capable of running as planned, including due to the intentional infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other causes beyond the control of Promoter, which corrupt or affect the administration security, fairness or integrity or proper conduct of this Competition, Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who has tampered, or otherwise interfered, with the entry process or Competition, or to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition. Furthermore, Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify and individual who fails to comply with the general provisions of these Terms & Conditions and any other policies of Promoter, as applicable and otherwise made known by Promoter, or whose conduct is otherwise misaligned with Promoter’s mission.
Promoter may in its absolute discretion at any time cancel, terminate, modify, suspend or postpone the Competition [for any reason or for no reason] . In such event, Promoter may, in its sole discretion, elect to recommence the Competition [from the start on the same conditions herein at a later date]. For the avoidance of doubt, Promoter may cancel or postpone the Competition upon the occurrence of any force majeure event, including any of the following: technical failure in operating the Competition; fire; threat(s) or act(s) of terrorism; riot(s) or other form(s) of civil disorder in, around, or near the location or venue of the Competition, “Global Citizen NOW” and/or “Global Citizen Festival;” strike, lockout, or other forms of labor difficulties; any act, order, rule, or regulation of any court, government agency, or public authority; act of God; failure of technical facilities; adverse weather conditions; and/or any similar or dissimilar cause beyond Promoter's reasonable control. Furthermore, Promoter and Sponsor shall not be liable, and the Prize Winner hereby releases Promoter and Sponsor from any liability in the event of postponement or cancellation of the Competition.