We all know amazing women in our lives. Despite everything, they’re still there, showing up for their communities. Some of them might even be facing financial difficulty, yet they continue to defy life’s hardships and their acts of kindness towards others don’t go unnoticed.
This year, for many, has been challenging and overwhelming — particularly when it comes to finances. Inflation is soaring around the world; energy and cost-of-living crises are widespread; child poverty and hunger rates are increasing; and families globally are finding their finances ever-more strained.
That’s why The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s charitable Archewell Foundation has partnered with VING Project, a US-based giving movement, to give away $1 million in $1,000 grants to women in financial need, nominated by young people aged between 14 and 18 years old.
Launched in October 2022, the aim of the project is to help spread the joy of giving by inviting young people to become philanthropists in their own lives.
“By donating $1 million in grants to women in need,” Meghan said in a statement, “our hope is not to only provide support where it may be felt deepest, but also empower young adults to embrace the gift of giving at an early age. I’m very proud of this partnership and the good we hope to see come from it.”
Here’s everything you need to know about how you as a Global Citizen can nominate an everyday hero in your community and make a difference in her life.
How does it work?
First, you choose a woman in your community who is in need of financial help. Then, nominate them on the website by filling out a quick form and submitting a short video about why you are nominating that person. If chosen, you’ll be able to give a $1,000 grant to your nominee, making a true difference in her life.
Who should I nominate?
There are four main criteria for the woman you choose to nominate: they must be over 18, a US resident, be someone outside of your family, and someone who is in financial need.
What’s a financial need?
If they’d describe their situation using words like “behind on,” “unexpected,” “overwhelmed,” “tight on,” it’s more of a need. But if you’d use more words like “would enjoy” and “dreams of,” it’s more of a want.
There are a number of things the money could help pay for, according to the project, such as a month’s rent, student loan repayments, or even a few months' grocery shopping for a family.
Why women?
The United Nations’ Global Goal 5 is all about achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, by providing equality for women politically, economically, and socially.
Empowering women has long been a passion of the Duchess of Sussex. In fact, the partnership was inspired by Meghan’s Spotify podcast, Archetypes, which challenges harmful labels and stereotypes applied to women.
Announcing the partnership, Meghan spoke of her passion for empowering women and giving back, saying: “Two things that bring me great joy are supporting women, and the spirit of giving.”
What is Archewell Foundation?
Archewell Foundation is an impact-driven nonprofit created by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Foundation’s core purpose is to uplift and unite communities — local and global, online and offline — one act of compassion at a time.
What is the VING Project?
The VING project is a national movement sparking the next generation of givers, giving teens the opportunity to give an individual in need an encouraging boost by surprising them with $1,000.