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By Pat Frey, Impact 100 member
An Impact 100 member since 2005, Donna Broderick is one of the dedicated women who keep the organization vibrant and improving in a variety of ways. But then, giving comes naturally to her.
“My parents strongly believed in philanthropy. They had a ‘charity jar,’ where 10% of what we earned from babysitting or other jobs went into that jar to be donated. Our parents were always giving back. Dad always told us that the definition of love is ‘to will and work toward the good of another.’”
She and her husband, Joe, are both from big families. This summer there was a family reunion with 80 people! Part of that big family is her sister, Jenny Berg, who will serve as Impact 100 president next year. Academically, Donna went to Ursuline Academy, then Xavier University for a BA in Physics and an M.Ed. She’s been a teacher and tutor.
Over the years, she has served as Impact 100 Treasurer (2012-2015) and President (2016-2017). Donna also works on the Annual Awards Celebration and manages OpaVote, the digital balloting process for members to select grant recipients. This past year, she was the Emerald Grant Review Team (GRT) Lead. Emerald GRT member Gail Barker says, “Donna was a terrific grant leader. Very responsive, available and kind.”
“I’ve met so many amazing women in Impact 100,” Donna says. “I’ve learned much about nonprofits. Serving has stretched me and taught me new skills. I’ve always been a numbers person, but I learned a lot as treasurer for three years. In leadership roles, I’ve had to learn public speaking, how to manage people, negotiate, encourage others. (My teaching background was helpful here.)
“I’ve also been inspired and humbled by the many different nonprofits we serve. Finally, I like Impact 100’s collaborative grant process, allowing women to connect and help others.”
Donna believes that Impact 100 has become more accessible to many women through establishing the Young Philanthropist Scholarship as well as creating different levels of membership. “I tell young people that it’s important to develop relationships, learn from others, and give to those needing help. Impact 100 can help you accomplish all of this if you get involved.
“As Impact 100 celebrates 25 years, my hope is that we continue to increase membership so we can award more grants. The need in our community continues to grow, as shown by the number of letters of intent we get each year.
“Our organization has continued to grow and benefit our community for 25 years. We are open to change, and willing to try new things to meet changing needs. Impact 100 is unusual, I think, in that we follow up with the grantees throughout the lifetime of the grant. Our awardees benefit from our promotion of their mission, and we offer them access to a legal check-up through Pro Bono legal services, and, often, member volunteers.”
Donna’s life philosophy is, “Whose day can I make today?” She is an avid volunteer for her church (All Saints) and DePaul Cristo Rey High School, where she’s been a volunteer since its inception in 2011.
Beyond serving others, Donna loves to play tennis and pickleball, but most importantly loves being a wife, mom and grandma.
