About
Our History
Impact 100 is a successful global philanthropy model created by Wendy Steele in 2001 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her concept is simple and powerful: gather at least 100 women who each donate $1,000, with the goal of significantly impacting one local organization. There are now more than 73 Impact 100 chapters in 4 countries around the world and by the end of 2022 will have given away more than $123 million to worthy non-profits in their local communities.
Impact 100 Gulf Coast will significantly impact our community by awarding $100,000+ transformational grants to local nonprofits in the SIX county region. Think of the difference we can make in Bay, Gulf, Calhoun, Jackson, Washington and Holmes counties, it is remarkable. The grant application process is very structured, completely transparent, and open. Impact 100 members have the opportunity to assess the grant applications and ultimately vote on the grant recipients.
For more information about how Impact100 started, see the Impact100 Global story.
Together, we will make a sustainable impact in our community, one transformational grant at a time.
The Impact100 Model
The Impact100 model is readily available to all communities who wish to implement it. The model is designed to empower women to see themselves as philanthropists and overcome the barriers women have historically faced in this arena. The model is designed for transformational grant-making within local communities, with a minimum grant size of $100,000.
At Least 100 Women Come Together
Each Woman Donates $1,000
$100,000 is donated to a Local Charity
Focus Areas
Arts & Culture
Cultural programs, participation in the arts, arts education
Environment
Conservation and preservation of natural resources; environmental justice; parks and recreation; agricultural sustainability; environmental education and climate action.
Health & Wellness
Improvement of people’s mental and/or physical well-being.
Education
Educational opportunities for children and/or adults, especially those that address lingering educational disparities affecting our community
Family
Strengthening and enhancing the lives of children and families, including seniors
How It Works
The annual $1,000 donations of Impact100 Gulf Coast members are pooled into a grant fund to be given away to nonprofit organizations serving the Greater Gulf Coast area. The number and size of grants awarded are dependent on our membership, but our goal is to give incremental grants of $100,000 each year. Grant categories and amounts are announced in the Spring at “The Big Reveal” event, commencing our grants cycle. Nonprofit finalists are chosen by grant committees through a competitive application process, and grants are awarded based on a membership vote at our annual meeting. Every woman who gives $1,000 or more has one vote.
