Campaign update from CEO Julia Roberts: The tremendous results you powered

BY JULIA ROBERTS

I want to thank BRAC’s dedicated donors and supporters for stepping up time and time again. Each one of you play a critical role in our work to unmake poverty. 

This season, we called on our community to help us reach an ambitious goal: to raise $1 million for Extraordinary Women. And our community of supporters answered. 

I’m so thrilled—and humbled—to announce the results of our campaign: Together with your support, we’ve raised $872,791 to power Extraordinary Women like Shahinur, Queenfrida, Selena, Rozina, and Mary.

In December, I had the opportunity to visit Bangladesh for the first time since joining BRAC last spring. I met dozens of Extraordinary Women—women who harness not only the tools, knowledge, and sometimes financing to succeed, but also the hope and self belief to chart ambitious paths for themselves and their families.

Thank you for being part of their story as a BRAC donor.

I learned from women participating in impactful Graduation programs that have enabled them to lift their families out of the most severe forms of extreme poverty. 

I met Rohingya children crowding outside their Play Lab early, excitedly awaiting class. The sounds of the laughter and joy bubbling over.

I spoke with women who have borrowed from BRAC for decades, helping them grow businesses and save large sums of money for their families’ futures.

In 2025, we will continue to face tremendous challenges. As climate shocks push even more families into poverty, we must deliver solutions that help families adapt and recover. As a growing number of young people enter adulthood with limited prospects, we must help youth forge secure, meaningful futures with opportunities for decent work. As extreme poverty persists in many corners of the globe, we must scale the proven solutions that we know work.

Tackling these challenges will be no small feat. But I know that BRAC is up to the task—especially with a strong community by our side.

At BRAC, it’s not just what we do that matters; it’s how we do it. Across every program, every country, and every community, there’s a palpable commitment to serving with care, compassion, and purpose. 

At BRAC, it’s not just what we do that matters; it’s how we do it. Across every program, every country, and every community, there’s a palpable commitment to serving with care, compassion, and purpose.” – Julia Roberts, CEO of BRAC USA

It’s more than just caring about the people we serve: it’s living and breathing that commitment. I believe that BRAC’s uniqueness comes from the deep commitment that staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters bring to our work.

To that BRAC family: You are a vital part of BRAC’s impact. Your commitment propels this powerful work. Thank you for being the committed global citizens you are.

I look forward to continuing our work with thousands more Extraordinary Women alongside committed advocates in 2025.

Learn more about our campaign to invest in Extraordinary Women. If you didn’t have a chance to support the campaign, it’s not too late. Start 2025 off by improving lives: Make a gift to support Extraordinary Women today.
 

 

Julia Roberts is President and CEO of BRAC USA. Pictured above: Julia visits a group of participants from an Ultra-Poor Graduation program in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.