Giving Joy is now more than 100 winners strong! It had been three years since our last survey in 2023, and a lot has changed since then. So this year, we checked in with our past grant winners to hear how the grant has shaped their lives and work.
What the survey found
Three things stand out:
Belonging matters. Nearly 95% feel more connected to a supportive community, the second-highest score after recommending us.
The money moved the needle. About 9 in 10 said the grant had a meaningful financial impact and a significant positive effect on their life and work.
Growth went beyond the grant. Most winners reached new clients or community members, and valued the mentorship and visibility that came with the award.
In their own words
The numbers tell part of the story. Our winners tell the rest.
A door that stayed open. For Shades of Us in Nigeria, Giving Joy was their very first grant.
"It was the boost we needed to feel validated, but most importantly, to grow. We have received other grants, and we know it is in part because we mentioned that we were one of the Giving Joy winners. Thank you for opening the door for us."
They noticed the small things too: "You stayed in touch by commenting on our social media posts, giving us a little like here and there, and encouraging us. They may seem like small acts, but they showed that you cared beyond the grant. It is the real epitome of 'Giving Joy'."
Shades of Us at Movie premiere “Flow”, funded by Giving Joy
Belief, not just funds. WomenasticCO, a women-led sustainability startup based in India, says the backing mattered as much as the money.
"It was one of the early moments someone outside our immediate circle backed the vision, which gave us confidence to keep building."
The courage to keep going. Several winners spoke about motivation as much as money.
"Thank you so much for thinking of Afghan women. This small help really gave me the motivation to not accept defeat at that time and to achieve the goal I had set in advance.It taught me to rise above my challenges and become bigger than my problems."
Keep the joy going
These results tell us a micro grant works best with community around it: a like on a post, an introduction, a word of encouragement. You are a big part of that.
• Know a woman changing her community? Tell her about Giving Joy. All of our past winners would.
• Follow and cheer on our winners. A comment or share helps more than you might think.
• Help us fund the next round. Every gift goes toward another woman's first step.
Thank you for being part of this story.