The Next Step Awards

The Next Step Awards are an opportunity to introduce Impact 100 to new nonprofit partners, and to give members an opportunity to work with smaller, grassroots, and diverse organizations within our community.

Awards are in support of projects or programs that meet a community need, are transformative, collaborative, and innovative. The actual amount of each award will be selected by the applying nonprofit organization.

The name “Next Step” was selected because these monetary awards will enable several organizations to take the “Next Step” in a transformative project or program. Grants can range from $7,500 to $20,000 depending on the stated need.

Impact 100 is very excited to celebrate 20 years of collective grantmaking by engaging and working with a new and different set of nonprofit partners.

APPLICATIONS WERE DUE BY MAY, 27 2021 at NOON ET

Does Your Nonprofit Meet the Next Step Awards Criteria?

  • Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) or 509(a) public charity.

  • An annual operating budget of $500,000 or less.

  • Only one application per organization.

  • Funds to be used to provide services in Hamilton, Brown, Adams, Clermont, Butler, & Warren counties in Ohio, Dearborn county in Indiana or Kenton, Campbell, & Boone counties in Kentucky.

  • Award request is for a minimum of $7,500, a maximum of $20,000.

  • Has not received a grant from Impact 100.

  • Plan to expend the awarded funds within 12 months.

  • Be programmatic, capital, start-up, technical assistance, or expansion. The organization’s grant proposal cannot be accepted for endowments, existing operating costs, partisan activities, completed projects, individual churches, indigent care subsidy, travel, loans, or for individuals.

Next Step Awards Volunteer Opportunities

The Next Step Award Application Review Committee will meet between June 1, 2021 and July 15, 2021. 

We currently estimate that this Review Committee will meet (probably virtually) for 2-4 meetings of 1-2 hours each.  Since this is a new process and we don’t yet know how many applications we will receive, we don’t know yet know how much time will be required. 
 
We are asking members to take a leap of faith and indicate if they are interested in joining this Review Committee.  If you are interested in participating, please sign up using the form on the right-hand side of your screen. 
We understand if a member is not able to commit to the process until we have firm dates and times.  We just want to identify a core group of members willing to participate in the review process.  
Our overall Next Step Awards timeline is as follows:
  • April 15 – May 27: Application open
  • June 1 – July 15: Committee reviews applications and recommends awardees
  • July 21:  Impact 100 Board approves recommendation
  • August 2 – 4: Applicants notified
  • August 15:  Public announcement of awardees