Sometimes the simplest ideas grow into something really powerful.
Talley Baratka had exactly that idea:100 women donating $1,000 each to transform 1 nonprofit with $100,000 grant.
Now in it’s fifth year, Impact 100 has doubled the impact with 200 women (both individuals and circles ) giving $1,000 each to present two nonprofits with $100,000 grants.
By pooling the money together, Impact 100 is able to make a stronger impact to organizations which focus on women and children’s issues in the areas of: Education, Family, Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, and the Environment and Sustainability.
The yearlong process culminates with the Big Give, happening Tuesday, May 13, where members will hear brief presentations from the finalists – then vote and award the grant on the spot.
The four local nonprofits will be hoping to receive the generous grant:
Education: Higher Achievement, which is striving to close the educational opportunity gap during the pivotal middle school years. As a grant recipient, Higher Education would partner with the MathScience Innovation Center to update the science, technology, engineering and math curriculum. Aimed at better preparing underserved students in grades 5-8 for today’s rapidly changing careers, updated offerings would include new field trip opportunities and hands-on elective classes.
Environment: Boaz & Ruth, which offers training, transitional jobs and economic revitalization to rebuild lives in Highland Park. Boaz & Ruth would use the funds to restore, preserve and enhance the physical and natural surroundings of Highland Park’s North District to create a sustainable community. The grant would help revitalize a 10,000-square-foot row of historic buildings along Meadowbridge Road.
Family: Greater Richmond ARC, which works with families to create life-fulfilling opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. ARC would use the grant to build Richmond’s first all-inclusive park. Located on 2.4 acres in Northside, the park would fully accommodate individuals with disabilities and welcome those without.
Health & Wellness: Faison Centers of Excellence, which aims to maximize the long- term potential of people with development disabilities through research, training, and job and residential opportunities. The grant would support the July launch of the Faison Residence, where 30 percent of the 45 apartment units will be rented to tenants with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurological needs. The gated complex will feature a “virtual village” that leverages state-of-the-art technology to connect on-site, trained professionals with these tenants as they pursue semi- independent lives.
Impact 100 begins in May raising money for the 2015 Big Give.
After the Big Give event, Richmond women will have invested $600,000 in the community in it’s five years. Impact 100 invites all women who want to make a difference in their community to become a member.
