FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 10, 2022

IMPACT100 PHILADELPHIA PLANS TO AWARD $435,000 IN EIGHT GRANTS AND AWARDS

Philadelphia, PA — Closing out its 13th grants cycle, Impact100 Philadelphia has announced the award of $435,000 in unrestricted funds to eight nonprofit organizations in the region. Representing the collective giving of 454 women members, funds are being awarded to eight nonprofit organizations. Including these 2022 grants and awards, Impact100 Philadelphia members have provided nearly $4.5 million to regional nonprofits since the organization’s founding in 2008.

CORE MISSION GRANT FINALISTS

Each of the following organizations will receive an award of either $100,000 or $50,000, as determined by the vote of Impact100 members:

Big Picture Alliance’s mission is to engage, educate and empower Philadelphia youth through filmmaking & digital media arts. We provide transformative learning experiences and a supportive pathway for youth to have their voices heard, develop as young professionals and reach their full potential. Big Picture Alliance was founded in 1994 by Jeffrey Seder & Jared Martin (TV Actor/Director) as an apprenticeship program where youth produced films about issues impacting their lives under the mentorship of professional filmmakers. In 2013, BPA partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to develop and implement a digital storytelling curriculum in alignment with Common Core educational standards – resulting in improved grades, test scores, attendance, and exemplary skill development (Rand Corp Report – Aug 2014). BPA then brought this programming to hundreds of youth across Philadelphia through dozens of school and organizational partnerships.

Center in the Park (CIP) promotes positive aging and fosters community connections for older adults whose voices are critical instruments in shaping its activities and direction. Their overarching long-term goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of 50,000 older adults by 2023, particularly in light of the impacts of systemic racism, health disparities, economic inequality, and ageism. CIP’s purpose is to create tools and resources to promote healthy aging, reduce social isolation and maintain independence. Because aging well is not supported in our community, CIP encourages independence and compensatory skills to manage the aging process.  CIP also fosters the development of new and existing talents, and fundamentally serves as an anchor for older adults.

The Garage Community and Youth Center was born in 2001 when a local pastor and businessman recognized the opportunity to transform a reclaimed garage into a community center. The mission of The Garage is to empower youth to pursue their academic, relational, and spiritual potential. Their desired impact is to help youth make wise decisions about themselves, their core convictions, their relationships, their educational pursuits, and interactions with their communities. They help students begin a cycle of hopefulness by acknowledging and taking steps to overcome life challenges by engaging in Garage programs, trusting The Garage as a second home, taking part in shaping activities, and enjoying Garage experiences. Participants receive homework support and are introduced to activities that promote academic and social-emotional growth during otherwise unstructured and unsupervised after-school and summertime hours. Currently, The Garage is not able to meet the number of requests they receive for their services.

The Philadelphia Orchard Project is a nonprofit organization that plants and supports community orchards in the city of Philadelphia. In partnership with communities, we envision urban ecosystems that create beautiful green spaces, connect neighbors, provide hands-on learning experiences, and grow fresh fruit for generations to come. Since 2007, POP has worked with community-based groups and volunteers to plan and plant orchards filled with useful and edible plants in neighborhoods across the city. POP provides orchard design assistance, plant materials, and training in orchard care. Community organizations own, maintain, and harvest the orchards, expanding community-based food production. Orchards are planted in formerly vacant lots, community gardens, schoolyards, and other urban spaces, almost exclusively in low-wealth neighborhoods where people experience limited access to fresh fruit.

Supportive Older Women’s Network provides peer counseling groups by phone and in person, individual counseling, educational workshops, and resource referrals. SOWN is proven to increase social connections. This is vital because social isolation in older adults is associated with higher mortality rates and serious health problems. SOWN reduces social isolation so older adults can live independent, stable, fulfilling lives in their communities, and be vital supports to the grandchildren and adults in their care. SOWN serves grandparent-headed families, caregivers for loved ones, and vulnerable older adults in the Greater Philadelphia region. SOWN strengthens community support networks, reduces social isolation, and improves the well-being of older adults, especially women and their families. SOWN provides.