Giving is Social
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Community Stories

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Chrina Cuna-Henson
Managing Director
Rohei Foundation
Giving is Social Partner

They go deep with their partners in exploring long-term solutions...

Rohei Foundation had the great privilege of working with Giving is Social for an event that launched our 2019 projects. Shamora: Live in Singapore was a 2-night concert that served as a platform for us to share about the state of the orphan crisis in the Philippines and our adoption advocacy while being serenaded by a soulful platinum-selling singer and songwriter from Atlanta. Our work in Manila is in its infancy stage and having Giving is Social create avenues for fundraising has been a tremendous blessing to us.

Joanna's passion and compassion are the driving forces behind Giving is Social. It is so refreshing to see her bring her corporate world excellence into the non-profit space. The results are always innovative and inspiring. They go deep with their partners in exploring long-term solutions to social issues while operating at the highest level of integrity at all times.

We have witnessed how Mike and Joanna have made countless personal sacrifices to accomplish their mission. They are a vision-driven family with clear gifting in gathering people and inspiring them to live generously!

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Lydia Bowden
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Singapore International Justice Mission

Generosity through friendship and community...

In 2019, International Justice Mission (IJM) was privileged enough to work with Joanna and her husband, Mike, through Giving is Social. Our joint Christmas event - "Carols for a Cause" - drew almost 100 people together for dinner and carols and achieved Joanna's vision to facilitate generosity through the medium of friendship and community. The event itself was planned and executed to perfection; guests enjoyed a festive night of food, songs and fellowship while still meaningfully engaging with IJM's mission to rescue and protect those most vulnerable to modern slavery and violent forms of oppression. Carols for a Cause also allowed IJM to reach a new audience of friends and supporters. 

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Irene Catiter - Gutierrez
Autodesk Singapore
Giving is Social Volunteer

Joanna is an amazing connector...

I've known Joanna through a mutual friend who invited me to the launch of Giving is Social in 2013 in Singapore. Since then, I got so inspired and moved by her passion and the work that she does in the giving space. I've been reaching out to her for help with a couple of giving events I organise for the company I work for. Joanna is an amazing connector. She's connected us with groups we can partner with and has guided us on how to roll out programs. Joanna makes it easy for others to start and continue their giving journey. It's a blessing to have Joanna generously share her knowledge on how to give wisely and positively impact the lives of many.

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Harvard Uy de Baron
Founder/Chairman of U! Happy Events
Giving is Social Partner

Joanna is the epitome of volunteerism...

​During the early years of U! Happy, Joanna was a pillar in its sustainability. The NGO has stood the test of time five years after she left the Philippines. We thank her for the systems she developed and the team she inspired to labour volunteer work without expecting anything in return.

Joanna is the epitome of volunteerism. She makes it a lifestyle, a part of who she is. Despite a full schedule, Joanna makes time for the communities she serves. A testament to this is Giving is Social, a platform she founded right away after leaving the Philippines. There is no stopping her.

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Sharmee Mannar
Executive Director, The Oasis Foster Homes for Rescued & Abandoned Babies
Giving is Social Partner

We have Joanna to thank through every stage of The Oasis Foundation's growth...

Joanna Blanding, Founder and Director of Giving is Social, has been essential in the plans for The Oasis Foundation coming to fruition. She has tirelessly laboured with me, Sharmee Mannar, the Founder and Director of The Oasis Foundation, from the dreaming and planning stage to the laying of the foundation, all the way through to waiting patiently for the Foundation's license. She never gave up on us and was always there rallying support, whether in terms of volunteers or donations.

We have Joanna to thank through every stage of The Oasis Foundation's growth from little to big tasks; we could rely on her. Whilst most people would have shied away from the responsibility of speaking about an organisation still awaiting its registration, Joanna was unafraid of stepping out of her comfort zone, juggling marriage and motherhood whilst running Giving is Social; she championed us on consistently like wonder woman. I've never known a woman who can handle so many tasks and do them well like Joanna. Giving is Social empowers people to give where and how they can. Giving is Social matches organisations to people with the heart or capacity to help, and The Oasis Foundation has greatly benefited from it.

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Clarissa Chua
Every Nation Church Singapore Staff
Giving is Social Volunteer

I truly admire her passion and clear vision...

Joanna has been a great help in my giving journey. She's one of the most resourceful people I know when it comes to giving to others generously and well.

I've had the great privilege of working with her on a fundraising project for The Oasis Foundation. It was a great time to learn from her how to manage a project.

Her work, passion and guidance have taught me a thing or two about giving generously and wisely. I've learned how powerful it is to give not just for the satisfying feeling giving gives us but for the empowerment of the people around us. Her platform, Giving is Social, plays a big part in changing the way society gives. I truly admire her passion and clear vision for Giving is Social.

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Kelly Cole
Giving is Social Volunteer

Driven but busy people can work together...

​I was looking for a way to give, contribute, and do something valuable in the world. Then, I ran across Giving is Social online, which totally expanded my networking perspective. Joanna, or "Jo-e", as she used to be called, saw how all of us driven but busy people can work together - leveraging each others' strengths and making the total more than the sum of our contributions.

I'm thankful for Joanna's leadership, gathering people, and harnessing the mass potential. Joanna is out there solving a problem many have in the modern world - people who want to make a difference but don't know how.

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Kelly Cole
UBS Singapore
​Giving is Social Volunteer

She positively impact the lives of people she helps...

​I have always known Joanna as a visionary. She wastes no time executing what she has set her heart to do. She pioneered U! Happy Events in the Philippines at a young age and built a passionate team to take over when it was time to move to Singapore.

As giving is her lifestyle, she soon launched Giving is Social in Singapore. I've had the privilege to volunteer in her projects or fundraising initiatives, and she never fails to accomplish what seems impossible. On top of caring for her beautiful growing family, Joanna Blanding also devotes her precious time to generous giving. She positively impacts the lives of the people she helps while inspiring people around her to embrace the same lifestyle. She is relentless and operates with the purest of hearts. I am so blessed to call her my friend!

Giving is Social is a social enterprise created by The Asian Blandings Collective.
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Our Story
    • Our Partners
    • Community Stories
  • Take Action
    • Shop
    • Become an Advocate
    • Intern with Us
  • CONNECT
    • Events
    • Carols and Cocktails for a Cause
  • Campaigns
    • The #MightyMateo Legacy
    • Rohei Foundation