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A $5 donation from Seattle, €10 from Berlin, and £8 from London—small amounts on their own, but together, they just bought seeds for an entire farming cooperative in rural Mali. This is microgiving in action: the power of small donations creating massive impact in remote communities around the world.
In traditional charity, donations often depended on wealthy donors giving large sums. This model limits who can participate and usually involves complex processes. But microgiving turns this model upside down. With microgiving, anyone, anywhere, can contribute a small amount to support a cause. These small contributions add up fast, enabling projects to be funded without minimum donation requirements or lengthy grant applications. It’s an open, simple process that directly connects donors to communities in need.
In Mali, a community farming project needed $1,000 to supply seeds, tools, and training. Within 72 hours, 143 donors from 28 countries funded the project with an average donation of just $7. Thanks to this support, 25 families increased their crop yields by 200%, tried new crop varieties, and gained sustainable access to local markets.
Similarly, in Ecuador, a school library was transformed by microgiving. With a modest goal of $800, they were able to purchase 500 books, create a dedicated reading space, and launch a community reading program—all funded by donations that ranged from just $3 to $15.
Microgiving allows people to make a difference, even if they can only give a few dollars each week. Just 100 people giving $5 each week generates $500, while 50 people giving $10 adds another $500, and 25 people giving $15 adds $375. Together, these small amounts can make a huge weekly impact, adding up to thousands over time to support ongoing needs in education, agriculture, and healthcare.
In Bangladesh, a women’s collective raised $1,200 to launch a sewing business, thanks to hundreds of small donations ranging from $3 to $20. They purchased 15 sewing machines, trained 30 women, and established a reliable source of income for the community. In Peru, a youth group raised funds to build a computer lab. Ten computers and internet access were purchased, providing young people with essential digital skills and opening doors to jobs and educational resources.
Microgiving succeeds because of its accessibility, transparency, and engagement. Small donations make it easy for people to contribute without financial strain. Many platforms offer real-time updates and photo documentation so donors can track their impact. Donors also receive project updates, see photos of the completed work, and, in some cases, hear directly from the people they are helping. This combination of accessibility and visibility creates a sense of connection and community, motivating people to give again.
Microgiving platforms prioritize efficiency, often charging minimal fees, ensuring that nearly all of the money reaches the intended project. With real-time tracking and community feedback, donors see precisely how their contributions are used and the difference they make. Success metrics include monitoring administrative costs, using digital verification, and keeping donors informed on the long-term progress of each project.
Microgiving meets immediate needs but also builds long-term sustainability. Projects often start with essentials like school supplies or seeds for agriculture, but over time, they can evolve into skill-building initiatives, market access programs, and resource management plans. These small initial contributions lay the foundation for growth, allowing communities to become self-sustaining and more resilient.
Microgiving is proof that size doesn’t matter when it comes to making a difference—collective impact does. Small donations are changing lives, creating sustainable improvements, and making philanthropy accessible to everyone. Through small, consistent donations and a direct connection to projects, we’re creating a new model of giving that empowers remote communities and brings us all closer to the causes we care about.
Ready to make a difference? Start your microgiving journey today and witness how small donations can lead to big changes.
Christopher Robison is a San Francisco-based software engineer and tech innovator with 25+ years in the industry. Specializing in blockchain, AI, and robotics, he’s built custom 3D printers, led tech transformations, and created impactful digital solutions for biotech, finance, and beyond. Outside of work, he’s a punk rock karaoke regular, golf enthusiast, and a tinkerer who’s always building something new alongside his cat Otis and dog Yuki.
