When founding president Anne Witherspoon first learned about the global nonprofit Impact100, she was so impressed by the model and the great work being done she decided to join the DFW chapter. As it turned out, there was no chapter to join. So, she decided to start one! She reached out to friends and colleagues to tell them all about the mission of Impact100 and encourage them to go on this journey with her. With a founding board of DFW-area women leaders, Impact100 North Texas is proud to be the first chapter in the DFW Metroplex.
As a designated 501(c)(3) organization, they will provide impactful grant opportunities to nonprofit organizations in Collin County. There are almost 1,000 nonprofit organizations based in Collin County and benefiting the DFW Metroplex.
Impact100 is a collective force for good, uniting and empowering women to give together, creating transformational impact locally and globally. Impact100 is a worldwide network of women’s collective giving. The model is simple, but powerful.
In communities around the world, chapters gather at least 100 women who each donate $1,000, pool 100 percent of their donations into grants of at least $100,000, and award them to local nonprofits across five broad focus areas: arts and culture, education, environment, family, and health and wellness.
This innovative philanthropy model was created by Wendy Steele in 2001 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Wendy recognized that the roles of women in philanthropy had not evolved with the times and required a fresh approach to be expanded and encouraged. Wendy thoughtfully designed Impact100 to engage women from across the community, grounded in the guiding principles of inclusivity, empowerment, transparency, and transformational impact.
Since its inception, the Impact100 generosity movement has grown organically and exponentially. To date, the efforts of Impact100 chapters has resulted in more than $178 million invested in local communities through grants by 80 chapters in 4 countries. Dozens of additional communities inspired by the model are actively working to launch chapters in their areas.
There are three signature events which each celebrate a milestone in the cycle:
The Big Reveal – At the conclusion of the membership drive, chapters announce the total membership and the number of grants to be awarded.
Meet the Finalists – At the conclusion of the grant review process, finalists in each of the five focus areas are announced and celebrated.
Annual Meeting and Grant Awards – Finalists present their proposals, every member votes (one woman, one vote), and grants are awarded.
Every Impact100 chapter is encouraged to follow best practices for grant-making, including written grant agreements with project description, budget, milestones and reporting; funds dispersed only when needed, based on documented invoices; periodic check-ins with the chapter liaison on progress; and grant project must be completed within an approximately 25-month performance period.
Impact100 North Texas is currently recruiting DFW-area women who want to be part of this collective effort to positively impact our local community. The sooner the goal of at least 100 members is reached, the sooner the goal of giving at least $100,000 to a deserving nonprofit in Collin County can be achieved.
Membership is not the only way to contribute. “Friends of Impact100” can donate any amount that will go toward the grant awards and toward creating a positive impact within the DFW community. Husbands, brothers, fathers, sons—even corporations—can play a role in this important initiative. All donations are tax deductible.
To learn more about Impact100, visit: www.impact100global.org or email impact100ntx@gmail.com. Stay up-to-date on chapter events by following Impact100 North Texas on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.