Impact 100 began in Cincinnati in 2001, and the model has since expanded to become one of the largest women’s collective-giving, grant-making networks in the world. We are dedicated to helping women become philanthropists right here in our community. We combine our members’ annual donations to award multiple high-impact grants of $100,000+ each to local nonprofits. Our membership requirements are simply to be female and to make a $500 or $1,000 member donation each year of which 100% goes into the grant pool to fund the important work done by our grant recipients.

Letters of Intent from area nonprofits are accepted each year in December, and members can choose to serve on a Grant Review Team, during the first half of the year, which choose the finalists in each focus area.

In September our members gather at the Annual Awards Celebration to vote on which worthy causes will receive a grant from Impact 100. The finalists make a presentation to the membership, votes are cast (each member gets one vote to rank her choices) and the recipients are announced that evening.

We are volunteer-driven and our members use their diverse skills and talents to make this organization great. Members have many opportunities to participate in Impact 100. From coffees, to event planning, to committee memberships, to reviewing letters of intent or grant applications, we provide a variety of opportunities for members to learn more about local nonprofits and to become knowledgeable philanthropists. However, there is no time commitment required. Some members simply like knowing their donation will be put to good use in the community.