Showing up for work costs money.

Transportation. Childcare. Meals. Parking. Schedule changes. Unexpected in-office requirements. These costs are rarely accounted for in wages, yet they directly affect not only whether someone can keep a job, but whether they can maintain their household responsibilities, manage stress, and perform sustainably at work. When the cost of showing up exceeds what a paycheck can absorb, the impact ripples far beyond the workday.

New Year, Same Costs is Pay Black Women’s inaugural fundraising campaign to fund Cost of Showing Up Microgrants, offering short-term financial support designed to help people bridge the hidden costs of participating in paid work.

Why This Matters

Many people are paid just enough to work, but not enough to afford the costs of showing up.

A single schedule change.
One unexpected in-office meeting.
A temporary childcare gap.
These moments can destabilize an entire household budget and force impossible choices between work, care, and basic needs.

This campaign exists to reduce that friction.

What We’re Funding

Funds raised through this campaign will support Cost of Showing Up Microgrants, which help cover short-term, work-related expenses such as:

Childcare or extended care due to work schedules
Transportation costs (gas, public transit, parking, rideshare)
Meals required during long or in-office workdays
Temporary expenses caused by changes in work location, schedule, or role

These microgrants are infrastructure support, not emergency aid or income replacement.

Who This Supports

Pay Black Women is a Black-woman-centered organization, addressing economic barriers that disproportionately affect Black women and professionals from marginalized communities.

While the program is informed by these lived experiences, eligibility for microgrants is open and non-discriminatory. Selection is based on demonstrated need and alignment with the fund's purpose.

When systems are designed for those most impacted, everyone benefits.

Grant Details

Microgrants typically range from $150–$750
Funds are distributed within the quarter
Grants are awarded based on the immediacy of need and available funding

Your donation directly helps stabilize access to work for someone navigating short-term financial strain.

Why Now

This is Pay Black Women’s inaugural fundraising campaign.

As we advance, we plan to run quarterly campaigns, each focused on a specific, trackable barrier to economic participation. This first campaign lays the foundation for sustainable, repeatable impact.

How Your Donation Helps

$25–$50 helps offset meals or transit costs
$75–$100 supports gas, parking, or short-term transportation needs
$150 can help bridge a critical work-related expense
$300–$500 can stabilize childcare or transportation during a work transition
$750+ funds a full microgrant, providing comprehensive support for short-term, work-related costs within a single award

Every contribution helps close the gap between employment and affordability. If you believe people should be able to afford the cost of showing up for work, this campaign is for you.

New year. Same costs. Let’s close the gap.

You’re Probably Wondering…

How does Pay Black Women decide who receives a microgrant?

Microgrant recipients are selected based on demonstrated need, the immediacy of the work-related expense, and alignment with the fund's purpose. Applications are reviewed for completeness and clarity, and awards are made based on available funding within each campaign cycle.

Is this program limited to Black women?

No. While Pay Black Women is a Black-woman-centered organization—meaning our work is informed by challenges that disproportionately affect Black women, eligibility for microgrants is open and non-discriminatory. Selection is needs-based and does not consider race, gender, or other protected characteristics.

What does “Cost of Showing Up” mean?

The “cost of showing up” refers to the often-unaccounted-for expenses required to participate in paid work, such as childcare, transportation, meals, parking, or costs created by schedule or location changes. These expenses can create short-term financial strain that threatens job stability and household balance.

What is a full microgrant?

A full microgrant represents the maximum award amount available within a campaign cycle. Full microgrants may cover multiple eligible, work-related expenses for a single recipient, depending on demonstrated need and available funding.

How does Pay Black Women ensure funds are used responsibly?

Pay Black Women prioritizes dignity, trust, and transparency in all of its direct-support programs. Our processes are designed to reduce unnecessary surveillance while still ensuring responsible stewardship of donor funds. We focus on impact rather than excessive verification.

Do recipients have to share receipts or detailed documentation?

We aim to keep requirements minimal. Selected recipients may be asked to provide basic information or a brief follow-up to help us understand the impact of the support, but we do not require exhaustive documentation or invasive verification processes.

Will Pay Black Women report on how funds are used?

Yes. We share aggregate impact summaries at the end of each campaign cycle so supporters understand how funds were distributed and the types of needs addressed. Individual recipient privacy is always respected.

Do recipients have to share their story publicly?

No. Story sharing is optional. Applicants may choose to share their experience anonymously or by name to support community education and impact reporting, but sharing a story is not required to apply or receive funding.

New Year, Same Costs

The Cost of Showing Up