When we ask about “depth and/or breadth” we are trying to recognize that transformational impact can look different for different types of programs. Some programs may impact great numbers of people (breadth), while others may impact few people but in deeply transformational ways for those people (depth).  Some programs may do both.  In short, the extent of impact is not always measured simply by the numbers of people – a project impacting large numbers of people is not necessarily better than one that impacts few people very deeply.

The program would be eligible for Impact 100 funding if the intent is to grow/expand it over the course of the 3-year grant. If the program is up and fully functioning by the grant award date, and our funding would just be providing funding to sustain it into the next few years, without growing it in some way, then it would not be eligible. We do not provide funding for current expenses, only added expenses for program growth. You would need to be clear about your growth plans in your application.

You may include indirect costs associated with the proposed project.

Yes, if you get to the Grant Application phase you will be required to submit detailed financial information, etc. about the national organization.  Any information that also provides insight into the location organization would be helpful.

In January 2024, we will be partnering with Barnes Dennig to bring “Financial Management 101 for NFP Leaders Who Do It All”. Upon completion, a recording will be posted to our website. In the meantime, there is a Q&A wiki on Barnes Dennig’s website.

We are looking for the metrics used for determining the level of achievement of goals/objections and the methods used to measure those metrics and how you define success.  We also want to understand how the people served will be involved in the evaluation process as well as how the results will be used and disseminated.

For a detailed timeline of the entire Impact 100 grant cycle, please see the timeline sidebar on the Apply for Grants page.

– Agency requested less than $100,000.
– More than one application came from an organization.
– Service is redundant because it is offered by other agencies.
– Program proposed or agency is not viable or transformational.

Yes, if you meet all the eligibility considerations. We have had start-up organizations receive Impact 100 funding. You may want to consider collaborating with another nonprofit to have a greater impact.

No, each organization may submit only one grant application each year.

You may apply again the following year.

When a nonprofit is awarded a grant, then the organization must wait three years before reapplying to Impact 100 for another grant.  The 3 year period for grant recipients to re-apply begins the year that the grant is awarded no matter if the grant money is distributed lump sum or via installment payments according to the terms of the grant agreement.
(Example: Nonprofit X received grant in 2022.  Nonprofit X would be able to re-apply for the 2026 grant cycle. Year 1 = 23, Year 2 = 24, Year 3 = 25).

It is not our intention to try to replicate services that are provided by the government such as, Food Stamps, WIC, and Medicaid.

When we do site visits, we are interested in all this information; however, in the initial steps of our review of the applications, these things are not taken into account so we will not accept these with the original application.

Impact 100 invests the grant money based on the project/program needs in a minimum of 2 installment payments appropriate to the project timeline you specify in your application.

The period of time the money must be spent correlates directly with the project’s intended implementation timeline, but must not exceed three years. Our milestone payment policy requires that the recipient provide Impact 100 with regular interim reports detailing the progress of both the project and its budget while milestone payments (at least 2) are being received.

Indiana – Dearborn
Kentucky – Boone, Campbell, Kenton
Ohio – Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Warren

Yes. Collaborating proposals should meet application eligibility consideration plus the following criteria:
a) Two or more 501(c)(3) or 509(a) nonprofit organizations;
b) Be aware and submit letters of support for the collaboration (Grant Application stage)
c) Engage one of the partners as a lead fiscal agent through which all Impact 100 business is conducted.

If a project application is a multi-agency collaboration, Impact 100 requires financial information from all collaborating partners during the “Grant Application” stage of our process. Please note each partner should submit complete financial data for three years as outlined in the grant application checklist.

Yes! Nonprofits may spread out their award, and in fact it is preferred (but not required). The distribution timetable does not impact your likelihood of receiving a grant one way or another.

No, Impact 100 grants are meant to be transformational. While the definition of transformational varies among members, we will not fund an organization initiative unless it expands programming or delivers services in a new way. An appropriate funding request for Impact 100 would be for services performed in a new way (innovation), more services of the same kind provided more often to their current population (deepening), or expanding their current service to a new population (expansion). Impact 100 would expect the budget to reflect such, which could include additional staff & their resultant operating costs or other capital requests.

Because grant finalists are put forth for membership selection without focus area designation (effective 2015), this information is not available publicly.

Our current membership structure allows women to either join as a full member by donating $1,000, contributing $500 (and consequently receiving a half vote for grantee selection), or being selected for the Young Philanthropist Program.

We also welcome “Friends of Impact 100” and are thrilled when an individual or a foundation wants to help us with our annual expenses (which are held to a minimum since we are an “all-volunteer organization”). Although Grant Review Teams are reserved for Impact 100 members, we welcome volunteers on operating committees such as marketing, PR, web development, nonprofit outreach, and communication.

Impact 100 welcomes LOI’s that are programmatic, capital, start-up, or technical assistance from valid 501(c)3 or 509(a) organizations. Our funding cannot be used to advance faith-based programs (e.g. build a chapel) but can be used by a faith-based organization to address social issues.

All grants are for $100,000. Each time we accumulate 100 donations of $1,000, we are able to grant a $100,000 award.

Yes!  Your Letter of Intent and/or Grant Application will be emailed to the Primary Contact and Executive Director contact information provided in the application.

Our members are advised to look at the impact of a request. That includes both breadth and depth. What resonates with one team may not resonate with another. We ask you to speak from the heart (and back it up with data) what the true impact will be to those you serve.

Yes. Impact 100 is interested in your project budget and even though it is not officially approved, it must still be a realistic budget. Please note that the final question on the LOI asks you to confirm that your Executive Director and/or Board President is aware of the application.  For the Grant Application, the budget must include realistic quotes.

Impact 100 prides itself on its ability to maintain a level playing field amongst all applicants. In addition, due to the ever-changing makeup of membership and team involvement, any advice given might actually be invalid and misleading into the next year. Therefore we do not offer subjective feedback.  Nonprofits are invited to attend information sessions hosted at the beginning of each grant cycle.

We have, many times. If you review our website (See Our Impact), you’ll see that Impact 100 was the catalyst for many capital programs.

Any questions or comments regarding the grant application process are welcome. Please contact us at grants@impact100.org.

(Applicable for the Grant Application stage of the application process)

Impact 100.

We recommend that you connect with an American Fundraising Professional or The Grant Professionals Association.  We also suggest viewing the presentation provided by GrantsPlus.  A link can be found on our website under “Apply for Grants”.