How small microgrants provide big learner impact

Real stories of overcoming adversity with the support of a donated microgrant

The concept behind microgrants from InsideTrack’s Crisis Support Services (CSS) team is simple: to support learners when they need it most, helping them address the immediate crisis at hand so they can continue on their educational or career path. These small, timely grants cover everything from paying college account holds, providing bus passes, and dealing with emotional health to covering basic needs — like paying an electric shut-off bill, providing a week’s worth of groceries, and temporarily covering safe and secure housing. In each case, the first priority is making sure every individual we work with is safe and supported, which is why our CSS team always provides actionable next steps or connections to longer-term resources to ensure both immediate and ongoing support. The reality, though, is through frontline work with hundreds of thousands of learners each year, we’ve seen firsthand that there are gaps in resources that need attention right away. That’s where you can help.

Since January of this year, the InsideTrack Crisis Support Services (CSS) team has distributed 37 microgrants totaling $7,011.94 — small basic-needs grants at the right time that make a world of difference to the learners they support. And every cent comes from tax-deductible donations from folks like you. 

To fully understand the deeply personal impact of a microgrant, let's meet five learners whose lives have been directly and positively altered by this timely support. Please note that their names and key identifiers have been changed to protect their privacy.

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Janet’s story

Janet, a single mother and online student, faced a challenging time when life circumstances forced her to pause her education and career goals. With an unstable living situation and concerns for her own safety and that of her elderly mother, she found herself in a difficult position. A $324.30 microgrant not only helped her catch up on her phone bill but also provided essential food for her family. The CSS team’s additional support and community resources further strengthened her ability to navigate this challenging period and work toward a more stable future.

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Marcus’s story

Marcus, an adult learner who works full time, was determined to return to school but faced financial challenges. A $290.57 microgrant for groceries helped ease the pressure, allowing him to focus on his goals. When a devastating storm damaged his apartment and further threw off his plans, leaving him living in his car and struggling to find stable housing, he received even more support from the CSS team. Rental assistance and a housing microgrant provided him with temporary shelter and the opportunity to secure a new apartment.

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Ava’s Story

Ava, a hardworking online learner, found herself in financial hardship when she was unexpectedly laid off. As the sole provider for her household and caregiver to her father, she struggled to make ends meet, let alone focus on her education. Though she quickly landed a new job, she found herself further behind on the bills she was already struggling to pay. The CSS team provided her with $456.66 to prevent utility shut offs and purchase essential groceries, including specialty milk for her infant daughter. Her parting words to the CSS team were “God bless your team and your life for helping me.”

Ahsan’s story

A driven young man, Ahsan was working with an InsideTrack re-enrollment coach to return to college and complete his degree. Despite his best efforts, finding stable employment proved challenging. A small yet significant obstacle, his unpaid phone bill hindered his ability to connect with potential employers and follow up on job opportunities. A $144.31 microgrant covered three months of phone service, empowering Ahsan to stay connected and continue forward toward his academic and career goals. 

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Natalie’s story

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Natalie and her husband were doing well — both working, supporting their son with autism, and supporting Natalie as she completed her degree. Then a hurricane hit and everything changed. They lost power and access to water. Washed-out roads made it impossible for Natalie’s husband, a truck-driver hauling local timber, to work. Natalie was doing her best to pick up extra shifts at work to pay for food, putting thoughts of school on the back-burner. InsideTrack quickly reached out to learners affected by the hurricane, including Natalie. The CSS team not only provided a $267.20 microgrant for groceries, but they also took the time to learn about her son’s particular diet in order to reduce the number of changes he would have to deal with all at once. 

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Support learner resilience

These stories are just a glimpse into the lives of countless students who have been helped in a time of crisis by microgrants. By donating to InsideTrack's Crisis Support Services microgrant initiative, you can help ensure that more students have the opportunity to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. Together, we can make a difference.