Episode #10: Giving Joy

Join us on this empowering episode of the Leap to Success podcast, where host Mary Gaul introduces us to inspiring stories of fearless female entrepreneurs. Today’s special guest is Joy Kolin, founder of the nonprofit organization Giving Joy. Together, they explore how even the smallest actions can lead to massive ripple effects of change, impacting women and their communities worldwide.

Episode Highlights

1. Meet Joy Kolin & Her Leap to Giving Joy

Joy shares her incredible background in international development, managing large-scale projects. While these initiatives brought systemic change, Joy identified a gap in direct individual impact, particularly for women.

Learn how her “a-ha” moment led her to create Giving Joy in 2018, focusing on awarding $500 microgrants to women who show how their ideas will create a “multiplier effect” of positive change.

2. Overcoming the Challenges of Starting Giving Joy

Starting a nonprofit wasn’t easy. Joy candidly shares how, at first, no one applied for her grants and what she learned about outreach and building trust within the global community.

Balancing a demanding career with Giving Joy’s growth required persistence and leveraging lessons from her day job. She offers actionable insights on how to pace yourself when starting something new.

3. Transforming $500 into Long-lasting Impact

Get inspired by real-life success stories of Giving Joy’s grantees. From a drone pilot training women in Malawi to an engineer in Pakistan teaching girls about solar power, these stories highlight the incredible power of small grants to create large-scale change.

Joy proudly shares that since its inception, Giving Joy has awarded 88 grants across 26 countries, impacting over 24,000 lives through the multiplier effect.

4. Actionable Insights for Aspiring Change-makers

Joy’s advice for listeners who feel like “just one person” is simple and profound: You can make an impact when you start small, stay consistent, and connect with others.

Whether you’re running a business, working in a corporate role, or managing a household, Joy explains how even small acts of generosity and community support can have massive ripple effects.

5. The Role of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and support women making waves globally. Joy talks about how Giving Joy’s mission aligns with the spirit of this important day.

Host Mary plans to harness the occasion by hosting a luncheon where proceeds go toward funding a grant, showcasing how we can all contribute meaningfully to causes that empower women.

How You Can Help Support Giving Joy:

If Joy’s story has inspired you, there are many ways you can get involved and help drive Giving Joy’s mission forward.

Spread the Word:

Follow Giving Joy on social media at @GivingJoyGrants.

Share their impactful stories and help amplify their message.

Donate:

No contribution is too small! Whether it’s $10 or $500, every dollar helps support a grant.

A $500 donation can be personalized as a named microgrant, helping a woman spark change in her community while celebrating your support.

Collaborate as a Business:

Work with Giving Joy as a sponsor, just like other women-owned businesses have done. Joy shares how partnerships amplify their reach, making it truly a win-win for everyone.

Want to Learn More?

Head over to GivingJoyGrants.org to read more inspiring stories, subscribe to their newsletter, or contribute to their cause.

To connect with the host: Mary Gaul

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://successmagnified.com/

Check Out Our Latest Events: https://successmagnified.com/upcoming-events/

Join The Leap Community: https://successmagnified.com/leap-for-ladies/

Finding and pursuing what fills your heart with joy is both a personal act of self-care and a way to impact the world. Whether it’s starting a nonprofit organization or something as simple as building community in your neighborhood, we all have the ability to create change in our own unique way.