Impact 100 Announces $204,000 in Grants, Schedules Information Sessions for Nonprofits

April 8, 2015

Impact 100 Garden State, a philanthropic women’s organization, is offering two $102,000 grants to nonprofit organizations in New Jersey. The grants must be used to fund programs in Morris, Passaic, Somerset, or Sussex counties. Grant applicants should focus on one of five grant categories—Arts and Culture; Children and Families; Education; Environment; or Health and Wellness.  All applications must be submitted online by May 27, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

To help nonprofit organizations better understand the application process and grant criteria, their staff and leadership are invited to attend one of three Impact 100 Information Sessions:

  • Monday April 20, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Bernardsville Public Library;
  • Tuesday, April 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Sussex County Office of the United Way of Northern NJ,  Newton; and
  • Wednesday, April 29, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Preakness Branch of the Wayne Library.

To register for a session, contact grants.impact100gardenstate@gmail.com or go to www.impact100gardenstate.org for more information. Grant applicants are not required to attend these sessions, but have found them to be helpful in the past.

“Our goal is to encourage the development of programs that make a demonstrable difference in the community,” states Suzanne Herrmann (Morristown), co-chair of Impact 100’s Grant Committee.  “We want to inspire big dreams and big thinking that will result in a better quality of life for New Jersey residents, particularly those who are in need or whose voice is not heard.”

Following an evaluation process and vote by the membership, grant recipients will be announced at the Impact 100 Annual Awards Celebration on November 4, 2015.

“Our members want to support nonprofit programs that change lives in a meaningful way,” emphasizes Elisabeth MacDonald (Mendham), president of Impact 100 Garden State. “Since 2013, they have contributed over $500,000 to the organization.”

Impact 100 is based on a unique collaborative giving process. Each member contributes $1,000 and the entire amount is used to fund nonprofit grants. This year, 204 women joined the organization. Details about membership and the grant application process are available on www.impact100gardenstate.org.

The Community Foundation of New Jersey is pleased to provide significant administrative support for the organization, having incubated the original concept for the organization.