Frequently Asked Questions
What is Impact100 Philadelphia?
Impact100 Philadelphia is a non-profit organization comprised of women age 21 or older, each donating $1,000 annually. A full 100% of membership donations is returned to the Philadelphia region in the form of grants. The grant review process runs from January through May. At the Annual Meeting in June, Impact100 members vote to determine the recipients of project grants of $100,000 and operating grants in amounts that vary year to year, based on the membership total. Pooling our individual resources to make very large collective donations creates a rare opportunity for nonprofit applicants, and allows members to have a significant, positive impact in the region.
How can I become a member of Impact100 Philadelphia?
Just print and complete the Membership Form, and mail it to us along with your $1,000 check. Forms and donations are due by December 1 in order to be included in the grants awarded the following June. We are very grateful for any additional funds you can donate to cover operating expenses.
How long is my membership valid?
Each $1,000 donation provides membership for one year’s grant cycle. Members who want to continue from year to year make donations annually by December 1.
What role is there for me if I can’t make the $1,000 contribution?
You can become a Friend of Impact100 Philadelphia and play a very important role in our organization. We welcome donations from individuals and local businesses to offset our organizational expenses. Although they do not provide voting rights, these donations help ensure that 100% of the $1,000 membership donations go directly to the grant. Your donation will be designated to cover administrative costs, which include expenses like auditor fees, insurance premiums, and website hosting.
How is it possible that 100% of my contribution goes to the grant recipients? How are administrative expenses covered?
Administrative costs are offset in three ways. Friends of Impact100 Philadelphia make contributions that fund operating expenses. Furthermore, bank interest is earned on membership donations between their receipt and the pay-out of grant awards the following year, and these interest earnings also help pay administrative costs. Finally, Impact100 members often add additional funds to their $1,000 donation in order to cover some operating expenses.
Is my donation to Impact100 Philadelphia tax-deductible?
Yes. Impact100 Philadelphia received its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS on October 10, 2008. Contributions are fully tax-deductible for the year in which they were made.
What is required of a member?
To be a member, you must be a woman, at least 21 years old, and you must donate $1,000 by December 1 for the grants to be awarded the following June. Beyond that, there is no obligation. You can be as involved as you like. Many women simply want to write a check and cast a vote. If you’d like to participate more actively, there are many ways, such as reviewing proposals, making site visits to non-profits, or serving on the board of directors or an event committee.
I want to give more than $1,000. Do I get more than one vote?
No. Our founding principle is “one woman, one vote.” Every member gets one vote even if she gives more than $1,000. Any donation over $1,000 is greatly appreciated, and offsets administrative costs.
Will you accept gifts of stock or allow my membership to be charged on a credit card?
We accept both stock donations and credit card payments. To make a stock donation, please email us at info@impact100philly.org. To make a credit card donation, visit the How to Join section of the Members page.
My company matches funds for charitable donations. Can I give $500 and have my company match it to make my total $1,000 donation?
No, the entire $1,000 donation must come from one individual. However, matching funds from employers are a huge help in offsetting operating costs.
Who may apply for the Impact100 Philadelphia grants?
Any Philadelphia region nonprofit organization that meets our eligibility requirements may apply in one of five Focus Areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family and Health & Wellness. Detailed eligibility requirements and application procedures are available on our website in the Grant Applicants section.
How are grant recipients selected?
There are five Focus Area Committees (FACs), made up of Impact100 Philadelphia members. These committees review and evaluate the applications, conduct site visits, and select a finalist. Committee members attend training sessions to learn how to evaluate grant proposals. This training teaches members to consider the credibility and merit of each applicant organization and the feasibility and significance of the proposed project. Each FAC also has a Financial Review Panel representative, who is responsible for assessing the financial stability of the applicant and the feasibility of the project. Please click here for Impact100′s Application Guidelines and Funding Priorities.
After each committee selects its finalist, all Impact100 Philadelphia members receive executive summaries and the full proposals of the finalists. The finalists attend the Annual Meeting in June and make presentations about their projects; members vote after listening to the presentations. If they are unable to attend the Annual Meeting, members may vote by absentee ballot. The selected grantees are announced at the end of the Annual Meeting.
How do organizations know about the grants?
Impact100 Philadelphia contacts the nonprofit community with information about the application process, and we hold an information session for grant applicants each fall. Members often help publicize this funding opportunity by telling organizations about Impact100 and directing them to this website.