Celebrating $10 million in grants awarded by sharing our top 100 stories from a global network of local leaders transforming their communities.
Rise Up Together is celebrating a major milestone in our journey: $10 million in grants awarded to support local leaders and organizations advancing gender equity in health, education, economic opportunity, and climate resilience around the world.
Since 2009, we’ve believed that lasting change begins with local leaders who know their communities best. By investing in their leadership through funding, training, and networks, we help turn bold ideas into meaningful action that strengthens communities and creates opportunities for women and girls to thrive.
Reaching $10 million in grants awarded is an exciting moment in our history, but the true significance of this milestone extends far beyond the number itself. It lies in the extraordinary achievements of the local leaders and communities driving lasting change.
Across Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the United States, Rise Up Leaders are transforming the laws, policies, and systems that shape people’s lives.
Their work is keeping girls in school, expanding access to health care, strengthening protections against gender-based violence, advancing women’s economic opportunities, and building climate resilience. Through locally led solutions rooted in their communities’ needs and priorities, these leaders are creating meaningful, lasting change for millions.
Behind each grant is a leader with a vision for change, a community working toward a better future, and the potential for impact that extends far beyond any single project.
These achievements reflect what becomes possible when local leaders have access to the resources, networks, and support they need to bring their visions to life.
These stories offer a glimpse into the breadth of locally led change taking place around the world. From community-driven initiatives to transformative policy achievements, each one demonstrates how investing in local leadership can help create lasting improvements in people’s lives.
Together, they represent just a selection of the extraordinary work happening across our global network, with countless more stories of leadership, resilience, and impact still unfolding.
This milestone is a celebration of the Rise Up Leaders whose vision, determination, and leadership make lasting change possible, as well as the donors, partners, and supporters who believe in their potential and invest in their success.
To everyone who has been part of this journey, thank you. Your support helps local leaders advance solutions that respond to their communities’ priorities and create opportunities for generations to come.
Here’s to $10 million in grants awarded, the extraordinary achievements of local leaders around the world, and the countless stories of change still to come.
