Frequently Asked Questions
What is Impact100 Philadelphia?
Impact100 Philadelphia is a nonprofit women’s collective giving organization. Its membership is open to all women, anywhere. The only requirement is that women members are age 21 or older and contribute the membership donation by November 15 of the given year. Membership is $1,250, with $1,000 going straight into the pool of grant funds for the coming year and $250 going toward operating expenses. Women ages 21 to 35 may join as Young Philanthropists. They are full members but join at half the rate, $675. Each year’s entire grants pool is returned to the Philadelphia region in the form of large collective grants. Impact100’s grants process runs from January through May, culminating in a vote of the membership to determine grantees. The year’s grantees are celebrated at the Annual Meeting which is typically the first Monday in June.
How can I become a member of Impact100 Philadelphia?
There are lots of ways! Go to our Join/Donate page and choose whether to pay online, mail us a check, become a sustaining member (so that your donation automatically renews each year), pay by monthly installments, or donate by stock, donor-advised fund, or other means. We strive to be flexible and work with members to make this easy. The only thing we’re firm about is the annual deadline for member contributions: November 15. If you are to, we are very grateful for any additional funds contributed toward the grants pool or operating expenses.
How long is my membership valid?
Each member joins for one year’s grant cycle, which runs from December to June. Members continue from year-to-year as long as donations are received annually by November 15. Our growth over the years (from 111 members in 2009 to more than 300 today) is due to a high renewal rate among members, as well as their enthusiasm for collective giving and encouragement of friends and colleagues to join.
What role is there for me if I can’t make the membership contribution?
You can play a very important role! We welcome donations from individuals and local businesses to contribute to the next year’s pool of grant funding, as well as donations to support our operating expenses. All these donations are tax-deductible. We also rely on friends and nonprofit colleagues to help spread the word about Impact’s funding opportunity and membership. This happens all year but is most intense in the fall, since membership closes November 15 and the grant application deadline is mid-December.
Is my donation to Impact100 Philadelphia tax-deductible?
Yes, Impact100 Philadelphia received its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS on October 10, 2008. Our tax identification number (EIN) is 80-0177821.
What is required of a member?
To be a member, you must be a woman, at least 21 years old, and you must make your membership donation ($1,250 for general members or $675 for Young Philanthropists) by November 15. 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 lots of ways, such as reviewing proposals, making site visits to nonprofits, or serving on the board of directors or an event committee. Many of our members join after finding our website or reading something about us online, without knowing anyone in the organization. We think the wide-ranging background and experiences of our members are one of the best things about Impact100.
I want to give more than $1,250. Do I get more than one vote?
No, one of our founding principles is “one woman, one vote.” Every member gets one vote even if she donates more funds. Any amount over the membership contribution is greatly appreciated, and you can choose to direct it to the grants pool or to offset our administrative costs.
Will you accept gifts of stock?
Yes, we gladly accept stock donations. The net proceeds must equal or exceed the required membership contribution, and funds must be received by November 15. Please see the details on our Join/Donate page.
My company matches funds for charitable donations. Can I give half the membership amount and have my company match it to make my total donation?
No, the entire membership donation must come from one individual. However, matching funds from employers are a huge help, and greatly appreciated as a way to offset our operating costs like our annual audit, website expenses, and other essentials.
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 in the Grant Applicants section of the website.
How are grant recipients selected?
Grant Review Committees (GRC) are made up of Impact100 Philadelphia members who attend training sessions to learn how to evaluate grant proposals. These committees review and evaluate applications, conduct site visits, and select a group of finalists for all-member voting. The committees are supported by a Financial Review Panel, who are responsible for assessing the financial status of the applicant. All Impact100 Philadelphia members receive information about all finalists and cast a ranked choice vote. The results of members’ votes determine the year’s grantees. The grantees are celebrated at the Annual Meeting, which is held on the first Monday of June.
How do nonprofit applicants find out about Impact100’s grants?
We advertise widely, send direct emails, and rely on members and friends to help spread the word about our funding opportunity. We also hold an information session for prospective applicants each fall.
What about conflicts of interest?
We are committed to acting with integrity in all of our relationships, and to selecting our grant recipients through an honest and fair process. In support of this commitment, Impact100 Philadelphia has adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy that requires disclosure of relationships between our members and any grant applicant. We also request that applicants or others refrain from contacting or lobbying members about any proposal.