Pictured above from L to R: CincySmiles: Sonya Dreves and Susan Laupola, Camp Joy: Jen Eismeier and Casey Miller, Nest: Evangeline DeVol and Amy Van Strein, ABC/FourthWall: Frank O’Farrell and Brian Leshner, St. Vincent de Paul: Mike Espel and Lydia Bailey, Cincinnati Works: Peggy Zink and Matt Mooney.

This past week, Impact 100 has been celebrating! The Focus Area Committees have completed their work of selecting the 2019 Grant Finalists and our Community Investment Review Committee (CIRC) has completed its work of confirming the financial viability of the organizations and grant proposals.

As a result, on June 27th, at Ohio Valley Voices with over 200 guests, we were delighted to announce our six 2019 Grant Finalists.

IMPACT 100 WILL AWARD $436,000 — NAMES SIX FINALISTS(*)
Women-Led Philanthropic Group to Award Four $109,000 Grants Among Six Finalists

Cincinnati, OH – 6/27/2019 – For 19 years, Impact 100 has awarded major grants to local nonprofit organizations in Southeastern Indiana, Northern Kentucky, and Greater Cincinnati totaling more than $5.12 million.  Impact 100 grants serve to support deserving local nonprofit organizations and their commitment to improving and transforming their communities.

Impact 100 was founded in Cincinnati in 2001 as a meaningful way to respond to the needs of local communities through a collective giving concept: people can pool their resources together to make a greater change than often one could do alone.  Every year, Impact 100 members contribute or raise funding to make these impactful grants.

“Impact 100 empowers women to dramatically improve our region by collectively funding grants of $100,000 or more to initiatives that support our local communities,” said Impact 100 President Clare Zlatic Blankemeyer. “Every year, we are grateful to learn from and support nonprofit organizations across our 10-county region, and we invite and seek women from all backgrounds to join our giving network.”

In January, Impact 100 announced that it had raised and will award $436,000 in 2019.  Four of the following six grant finalists will receive a $109,000 grant this September 12th during the Impact 100 Annual Awards Celebration at Music Hall.  All six finalists will present their proposals to the Impact 100 membership, and four will each receive a $109,000 grant to implement their projects.

Candidates submit applications for funding in one of five key IMPACT areas: Culture; Education; Environment, Preservation & Recreation; Family; and Health & Wellness.

The 2019 grant finalists were revealed at an Impact 100 event graciously hosted by 2017 grant recipient, Ohio Valley Voices, and are:
(also photographed above, left to right)

CincySmiles Foundation
Denture Manufacturing Laboratory Project
Increase capacity and reduce costs of oral care operation by building an on-site denture laboratory that will include equipment and materials, serve 1,000 additional people, and generate revenue.
*Please note: as of August 2019, CincySmiles Foundation withdrew as a Grant Finalist via a letter to membership shared digitally.

Joy Outdoor Education Center
Retrofitting the Next Generation of Sustainable Buildings
Retrofit an original cabin to a Forestry Classroom, seamlessly integrating sustainable use of natural resources & serving as a pilot for net-zero building while educating 13,000 annual visitors.

 NEST Community Learning Center
Roots and Wings Expansion
Expand the NEST programs to serve all children living in poverty in the Clermont Northeast School District by providing a mobile classroom, tutors, educational tools, & sports equipment.

Activities Beyond the Classroom/Fourthwall
Youth Studios Program Expansion
Expand the award-winning filmmaking after-school programs to 24 additional sites so 300+ at-risk students can complete collaborative projects and develop 21st century skills required for success in the workplace.

St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy
Increasing Access to Pharmaceutical Care for Neighbors in Need
Complete the new Pharmacy construction and grow staffing to expand hours and days of operation from 3.5 to 6 days a week facilitating a 10% increase in prescription fulfillment.

Cincinnati Works, Inc.
Workforce Connection
Grow Coaching capacity by providing on-the-job personal coaching to 300 individuals and ensure 80% of employees retain their jobs and 60% advance in the workplace to reach economic self-sufficiency.

To learn more about Impact 100, or for information about the upcoming 2020 grant application process, visit www.Impact100.org.

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About Impact 100: Founded in Cincinnati in 2001 by Wendy Steele, Impact100 was born out of a desire to make a greater impact with philanthropic donations by collectively pooling the funds of area women to create a significant $100,000-plus grant. The Cincinnati chapter alone has awarded more than $5.12 million in grant money locally. The name, Impact 100, comes from the initial goal of 100 women contributing $1,000 to award a $100,000 grant to a community organization.  Impact 100 has grown into a movement with chapters in more than 50 U.S. cities and two foreign countries. Together, the organizations have awarded more than $55 million in grants.