In September of 2001, an idea to promote philanthropy among women formed in the mind of Wendy Steele… and it all started in Cincinnati, Ohio.

With the help of Wendy’s close friends and business associates, that idea became the nonprofit organization operating as Impact 100. The original notion: Impact 100 would consist of at least 100 women members, each contributing $1,000. These funds would be pooled and fully donated as transformation grants of no less than $100,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Eastern Indiana.

One year later, the first transformational grant was awarded, and a women’s giving movement was born. Fast forward to today, and there are over 75 Impact 100 chapters around the world. This collective force has given $160 million in nonprofit grants.