IMPACT100 SRQ Raises $342,000 For Three Area Nonprofits

Impact100 SRQ, a group of Sarasota-Manatee women philanthropists committed to high-impact, strategic grant-making, announced that it raised $342,000 at its “Big Reveal” event on March 5. Jane Watt, president of Impact100 SRQ, said that the group will award transformational grants of $114,000 to three Sarasota-Manatee nonprofits this November. Local groups can apply for grants for projects in arts and culture, education, environment and recreation, family, and health and wellness. All grant applications must be submitted online by May 15, 2020, at www.impact100srq.org.

“The grants we award are designed to have a major impact on the Sarasota and Manatee county area, the selected nonprofits, and the communities served,” said Watt. “Through collective giving, Impact100 SRQ members demonstrate leadership and comradery as they cultivate transformation together.”  She adds that the chapter grew from 228 members and a total grant amount of $228,000 in 2019, to 342 members this year and grants to be awarded totaling $342,000.

“We made Impact100 history for the number of membership renewals and total number of members in our second year,” she said.

A new branding initiative for Impact100 SRQ was also introduced at the Big Reveal event.  JDA Worldwide was selected to create a new logo, signature colors, and website. Watt explains that Impact100 SRQ was selected by Impact100 Council as a beta chapter for the branding launch. “The new branding will help Impact100 SRQ become more identifiable as part of the global organization of Impact100,” said Watt. Impact100 SRQ remains its own autonomous entity and operates independently of any parent affiliation, but it receives support, resources, and shared best practices from Impact100 Council.

According to Watt, women throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties are joining forces to collectively fund transformational grants to nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Who should consider joining?

“We are women from all walks of life, united for a greater good, with a clear understanding of the power of collective giving,” says Watt. “We welcome like-minded women who want to give back to their communities—and change the face of philanthropy in our area.”

The Impact100 SRQ model is simple: Encourage 100 women to donate $1,000 each, and then pool those resources into one large grant of $100,000 to be awarded to qualifying nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“Impact100 SRQ has no paid employees or staff, which means that 100 percent of each member’s annual contribution of $1,000 is awarded to nonprofit organizations in grants of $100,000 or more,” says Watt. “Operational costs are kept to a minimum and funded voluntarily by members and corporate supporters.”

For more information, visit www.impact100srq.org.