What is Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis?
Impact 100 helps women in greater Indianapolis make extraordinary gifts $100,000 at a time. We believe in the power of women giving as one.
How does it work?
Impact 100 is a charitable women's giving circle dedicated to awarding high impact grants to nonprofits in greater Indianapolis. Impact 100 does this by:
- Engaging at least 100 women in giving $1,000 each
- Educating members about community issues and which nonprofits are addressing those issues most effectively.
- Using five focus study areas composed of members who review nonprofit grant proposals and submit recommendations to members.
- Awarding at least one annual $100,000 grant to a local nonprofit through each donor's equal vote.
Why does Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis give the entire $100,000 to a single organization?
One of our goals is high-impact giving. By collectively funding a big grant, we can have a larger impact in a selected area. In addition, when a nonprofit pieces together $100,000 from as many as 10 different sources, the nonprofit has reporting requirements and related administrative expenses from each grantor, in addition to fundraising costs. An increased cost in the "chain" means less money ultimately goes to solve the problem. By giving one large grant, we have more impact and keep costs lower to the grant recipient.
What types of issues does Impact 100 support?
Impact 100 focuses its grant awards in five areas:
- arts and culture
- education
- environment
- family
- health and wellness
Is my donation to Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis tax deductible?
Yes, Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis is an IRS recognized 501(C)(3) charitable organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
How is Impact 100 different from the Women's Fund of Central Indiana and the United Way of Central Indiana's Women's Initiative?
Women's Fund of Central Indiana, a fund of CICF, is the only organization in the community solely focused on raising funds - at any level and from men and women - to address issues facing women and girls. It is a permanent endowment, meaning gifts are invested forever and a percentage is granted annually to local women- and girl-serving agencies. A volunteer grant committee and the Women's Fund Advisory Board award grants.
United Way of Central Indiana's Women's Initiative is focused on investing grants in successful kids, thriving families, healthy people and vibrant communities with a new focus on preschool children. Gifts are accepted at the $2,500 level where a match is available for new donors.
Impact 100 is a pass-through fund with a yearly cycle of awarding at least $100,000 to one recipient from a broad grant audience. All members are women and each member has an equal vote in selecting the grantee.
How much of my contribution will go toward the cause versus administrative expenses?
100% of Impact 100 gifts from members will be awarded to nonprofit organizations.
How does Impact 100 pay for administrative expenses?
"Friends of Impact 100" is a separate pool of contributions that underwrite administrative and operating expenses. The suggested level of contribution is $250 and can be made by an individual or corporation. All donations are tax deductible.
If I can't make a gift of $1,000 is there a role for me?
Yes, a very important one. You can be a Friend of Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis and your gift will be invested in a fund to underwrite operating expenses. If we receive more funds than are required to cover these costs, they may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, be added to the grant funds.
How involved do I have to be as a member?
All that is required is that you be a woman and donate $1,000. We hope you will take the time to make an informed decision when you vote for the grant recipient(s). In addition, you may wish to (but are not required to) serve on a focus area committee to evaluate and select a grant recipient for presentation to the membership at the scheduled annual meeting in June of each year.
How long is my membership in Indy Impact 100?
Each $1,000 donation provides membership for the current year's grant making cycle. Members can continue from year-to-year as long as their annual donations are received by December 31 of that year.
Can I pay my $1,000 over a period of months?
Yes. You can make semi-annual payments of $500 due June 30 and December 31 or quarterly payments of $250 due March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.
Can men participate in Impact 100?
Men can participate directly as a Friend of Impact 100 or they may encourage the women in their lives to participate as members.
Will you accept gifts of stock or allow my membership to be charged on a credit card?
Yes, on both counts. We also accept matching gifts if your employer has a charitable matching program. Matching grants must be received by December 31.
When did Impact 100 make its first grant?
Impact 100 made its first grant award to the Wishard Memorial Foundation to fund the Pecar Health Center Pharmacy in June, 2006.
How is Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis affiliated with other national Impact 100 groups?
Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis is the fourth Impact 100 program in the U. S. The other Impact 100 programs formed prior to Indianapolis were Pensacola, Florida; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Austin, Texas. A similar project was created by the Women's Fund in Seattle, Washington, in 1995. Even though Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis is very similar to these other programs, it operates completely independent of them. We do not pay fees or have official ties or obligations to any other Impact 100 program.
Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis
- allows each $1,000 donor to help decide how grants are awarded
- awards grants in a variety of categories - some similar and some different than these other efforts
- makes one $100,000 gift each year to one not-for-profit, allowing it to have significant impact in the community. If there are more than 100 members, the grant will be larger or two grants will be made
- Educates women about community needs and issues.
