Impact 100 NYC launched amidst a global pandemic with one mission — multiply the impact of a group of women to deliver much-needed funds to NYC’s people and communities.

“We are a diverse community of incredible women who heard a call to help their communities and rose to the challenge. In just one year, we’ve already made a meaningful impact on four NYC nonprofits  – and our beloved New York City,” says Emily Ades, Founding Co-President.

“In what has been one of the most challenging times imaginable, we are in awe of the 147  founding members who came together to form this powerhouse organization of changemakers and by what we accomplished year one,” added Founding Co-President Mindy Wigutow. “We  were amazed by the number of nonprofits who applied for grants and are inspired by their  work.”

As a newly-formed giving circle, Impact 100 NYC is an affiliate of Philanos — a network of women’s collective giving groups. Members are like-minded women who come together to pool their dollars in support of organizations, causes, and issues that matter to the community. This model is a form of participatory philanthropy that is powered by the people who contribute. Impact 100 NYC brings together at least 100 members who pool together individual donations of $1,000 to make one $100,000 grant to a nonprofit organization serving NYC’s five boroughs.

Impact 100 NYC’s first-ever Innovation Grant of $102,000 was awarded to Fiver Children’s  Foundation, a comprehensive youth development organization that makes a 10-year  commitment to children from underserved communities throughout New York City and central  New York. With additional funding, Fiver Children’s Foundation will fund a capital project to build a cabin on the grounds of its Upstate New York summer camp dedicated to college and career readiness as a  culmination of each student’s ten-year-long FIVER academic and personal development program.

Impact 100 NYC presents a ceremonial check to mark awarding Fiver Children’s Foundation with its inaugural Innovation Grant of $102,000.

“We are thrilled to be able to build this space dedicated to our youth’s success and know that it will continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of our young people for years to come,”  says Christie Ko, Executive Director, Fiver Children’s Foundation.

Additionally, three finalists, George Jackson Academy, Reaching Out Community  Service, and Youth Represent, recognized for meeting critical needs and providing vital services, were each awarded $15,000 general operating grants to help further their missions.

Fiver’s selection was a result of a thorough vetting by member-run grant review committees, including virtual site visits; and voting by the membership with each member receiving one vote. The grant cycle opens again in October 2021. Impact 100 NYC  aims to double its membership – and the number of $100,000 grants in year two. Visit Impact 100 NYC’s website to learn more about membership.

Philanthropy Together aims to strengthen and scale the giving circle movement by working with giving circles like Impact 100 NYC. Learn more at philanthropytogether.org.