Giving Joy Grants
Giving Joy is a non-profit organization that helps women entrepreneurs around the world. They believe that financial independence is the key to achieving gender equality. Since 2018, they have supported women-led initiatives in 35 countries to help them start or grow their own businesses.
The organization focuses on how small amounts of funding can lead to big changes in a community. When a woman starts a business, it often creates jobs and services that benefit everyone around her. Giving Joy also provides a network where grant winners can connect, share advice, and support each other.
Giving Joy takes a hands-on, personal approach to philanthropy. Unlike larger organizations, they build real relationships with grant recipients through consistent communication, offering customized coaching and mentorship both during and after the grant period ensuring funds are used effectively.
One of their biggest strengths is efficiency. With zero administrative costs, every dollar donated goes directly to funding grants. Their small, agile structure combined with an experienced international board allows for fast grant processing a prime example being their ability to fund Afghan women entrepreneurs within just 2 months of the Taliban takeover in 2021.
The demand for their work speaks for itself Giving Joy receives approximately 8,000 applications from 70 countries in each application round. These micro grants serve as powerful catalysts, helping women start or grow businesses, build skills, and raise awareness about women's issues on a global scale.
Meet the team
Giving Joy Grants, on LinkedIn
Joy Kolin: Executive Director and Board President
Natasha Kofoworola Quist: Director/Officer
Heather Rafey: Director/Officer
Carla Wahnon: Director/Officer
Sandra Simbiri: Director/Officer
Wendy Voet: Secretary
Beginning in 2026, Giving Joy will move to two global grant cycles per year.
After running multiple regional rounds, we learned that four cycles created unnecessary complexity and stretched our small team and volunteer reviewers. To ensure a fair, smooth, and high-quality experience for applicants, and to strengthen our own operations, we are simplifying the process.
This new structure will allow to:
- Provide clearer timelines for applicants
- Increase the quality and depth of application reviews
- Reduce administrative burden so we can better support grantees
- Focus our communications and fundraising more effectively
- Continue reaching women entrepreneurs in all regions without dividing by geography
Under the new model, each cycle is open to women entrepreneurs worldwide.
Through its micro-grants and mentorship program, Giving Joy helps women establish or improve their businesses and initiatives for their benefit and the benefit of their communities.
