Many startups say they can’t afford to do social impact work yet. But what if the cost of doing good was less than your team’s Slack or Canva subscription?

There’s a common misconception that social impact requires large budgets or entire CSR departments. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

In fact, with just a fraction of what most startups spend on tools, you can create real, measurable impact — especially in regions like Africa or Asia, where the dollar stretches further due to currency disparities.

What Startups Are Already Spending

Most early-stage companies pay hundreds to thousands of dollars each month on digital platforms — Slack, Notion, HubSpot, Figma, etc.

Sometimes, companies continue paying for tools they barely use — or have forgotten entirely.

To give one example:

• Slack’s Pro plan costs $8.75 per user/month

• The Business+ plan runs $15 per user/month

A 10-person team could be spending over $150/month on just one communication tool.

What $5–$10 Can Actually Do

Now, compare that to what $5–$10 can accomplish in many rural communities:

• $2 = School shoes for a child

• $5 = A complete school uniform

• $5 = Reusable menstrual pad for a girl (so she doesn’t miss school)

• $10 = A full year of basic education in some regions

That’s not symbolic giving — that’s life-changing support.

This Isn’t About Choosing Slack or CSR

Of course, you need your software stack to build and scale your company. That’s valid.

The point isn’t to cut back on essentials. The point is to rethink your priorities.

If you’re already investing in operational tools, what’s stopping you from investing just a little in impact too?

What Startups Can Do Today

Here are a few meaningful ways to begin:

• Sponsor a grassroots cause monthly (even with $50–$100)

• Partner with a local NGO aligned with your company values

• Work with a social impact consultant (👋🏽) to build lean, purpose-aligned CSR initiatives

You don’t need a perfect plan.
You just need a purposeful one.

Dear Startups,

This is your CSR love letter.
Doing good doesn’t have to wait. It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be real.
Startups are shaping the future — and it’s time that future includes everyone.

Let’s stop seeing CSR as a luxury, or a cost center. Let’s start seeing it for what it really is:
A reflection of who you are, what you stand for, and the kind of world you’re helping build.

CSR isn’t a future-budget problem. It’s a now mindset opportunity.

Let’s Talk

If you’re a startup founder or team member thinking about how to align your work with real-world impact, I’d love to support you.

Whether it’s designing a lean CSR strategy, partnering with grassroots initiatives, or building purpose into your operations — you don’t have to figure it out alone.

📩 Reach out: hello@impactwithayo.com
💬 Or connect with me on LinkedIn