The Sandbox Impact Award: In Partnership with Savvy Financial & Empower-Her
Fueling Women Who Lead With Purpose
In The Sandbox, we believe that real change starts when belief meets action—and the Sandbox Impact Award is here to ignite that spark.
Created in partnership with Leah Williams of Savvy Financial and the Empower-Her community, this nomination-based award is designed to uplift women in the Charlotte area who are building businesses that do stuff that matters. Whether you’re launching, scaling, or recalibrating your mission, this award offers the financial boost, mentorship, and recognition to keep you moving forward.
Leah knows firsthand the courage it takes to lead with heart. As a Sandbox Professional Scholar, she’s expanding her impact by building a bridge between encouragement and action—supporting changemakers who are ready to step into the next bold chapter of their purpose-driven work.
What the Impact Award Offers
The Sandbox Impact Award provides:
- Funding to help amplify your work
- Encouragement and mentorship from The Sandbox + Savvy Financial
- Community support through the broader Empower-Her network
This is more than a financial award—it’s a vote of confidence, a spark of momentum, and a seat at a table where your work is seen and celebrated.
Key Dates
- May 22 – Application announced at Empower-Her Dinner
- May 23 – July 19 – Application window open
- July 22 – August 2 – Application review
- August 5 – August 16 – Finalist interviews
- Week of August 19 – Winner selected and notified
- Late August/Early September – Public award announcement
How It Works
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Tell us your story—your mission, vision, and the work you’re doing to create real impact. Be honest. Be bold. Be you.
Step 2: Application Review
You’ll receive a confirmation email. Selected applicants will be invited to a 1:1 conversation with Leah (Savvy Financial).
Step 3: Interview
Shortlisted applicants will join a 20–30 minute virtual conversation to go deeper into your goals and how this award can help you level up.
Step 4: Finalist Celebration
Finalists will be invited to an Empower-Her x Sandbox event to connect, be celebrated, and witness the award reveal.
Step 5: Winner Announced
The 2025 Sandbox Impact Scholar will be officially honored and gifted their award—along with ongoing support to grow their reach and impact.
FAQ: You’ve Got Questions? We’ve Got You.
How much funding does the award provide?
The exact award amount will be shared during the finalist stage, but it’s designed to offer meaningful momentum.
Are there restrictions for how the award funds can be used?
Our goal is to support you in creating measurable impact in the Charlotte community. Funds may be used for general operations or other business needs—as long as you can demonstrate how you’ll ultimately contribute to community impact. Tell us what you plan to measure and what your goals are for making a difference in Charlotte.
Is this award limited to women-owned businesses?
Yes, this award is specifically focused on supporting women entrepreneurs and leaders in the Charlotte area.
Do I need to be a nonprofit to apply?
Nope! Whether you’re running a business or a mission-minded brand, you’re eligible if you’re making a difference.
Will I need to report how I used the funds?
Think of it less like reporting and more like having a true partner invested in your success. At the start of your journey, we’ll meet with you to review or co-create a 100-day plan tailored to your goals. From there, we’ll check in quarterly to provide encouragement, track milestones, and adjust as needed. We’re here to celebrate progress and offer meaningful support.
When will the award winner be announced?
The winner will be revealed in late August/early September at our EmpowHer x Sandbox event.
Can I apply if I’ve received other grants or funding?
Absolutely. If this award will help you move forward, we want to hear from you.
Will there be future rounds or additional award opportunities?
That’s the plan. We’re building something that lasts—one bold step (and one Impact Scholar) at a time.
Ready to Apply?
Let’s make sure purpose-driven work gets the support it deserves.
Apply Here
