At our Sept. 20 awards celebration, Impact 100 gifted $101,000 to each of four dynamic nonprofit groups. Through the collective power of our grants, fueled by our membership dollars, we have funded:
· Essential equipment to feed individuals and families
· Critical coaching for young people transitioning to independent adulthood
· Financial backing to make the dream of home ownership a reality for people formerly denied the opportunity.
All who attended the celebration experienced the joy of the recipients and wished that all of the finalists could have received a grant. By renewing our memberships for 2023 and encouraging other women to join, each of us can continue (and even expand) the work of creating positive change in our region.
From Grant Recipient to Board Member
Just three years ago, Board Member Taisha Rojas-Parker was a recipient of an Impact 100 grant. At that time, she was program director of Cincinnati Works’ Workforce Connection, a newly formed social enterprise program providing coaching services to employers throughout Greater Cincinnati. Impact 100 introduced her to the world of collective giving groups, the grant application process, as well as the impact of philanthropy in the business of nonprofits. Her positive connections with Impact 100 members inspired her to become a member.
“I felt the passion of members wanting to understand what we were doing and how we were impacting the community,” she recalls. “As a nonprofit going through the Impact 100 grant process, you sense true partnership throughout the journey.”
Taisha joined Impact 100 in 2020 and became a board member in 2022. She oversees Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts in grantmaking, membership and member education.
“Nonprofits are the heart and soul of our community, and we’re building community with them. I am encouraged by all of the work being done throughout our city.”
Recruiting New Members
Sustaining member Susan Cranley has been with Impact 100 for more than 12 years. She originally heard about Impact 100 on NPR.
Susan has been instrumental in recruiting new members each year. “The people I recruit then recruit other people. It’s a ripple effect,” she says.
“I stay connected to the people and friends I’ve recruited and we become a group. And within our group, people step up to organize things. Some of us are volunteering with previous Impact 100 winners – St. Vincent de Paul and Greater Cincinnati Book Bank. It’s been an experience that gives us more than we give.”
When encouraging people to join, she emphasizes the power of collective giving. “I make them aware of what we’ve done that matches one of their own passions. There’s always something that Impact has touched.”
By renewing today (Become a member – Impact 100 Cincinnati) or recruiting new members, you’ll help ensure the continued impact of the work in our community. You’ll also meet other wonderful women equally committed to making our community thrive.
If you know someone who would like to join, consider bringing them to one of our events over the next few months, or ask the recruiting team (recruiting@impact100.org) to contact them.
For more information, contact Nancy Keyser at nkeyser@impact100.org or 513.365.5466.