Members

Member Frequently Asked Questions
What is Impact100 Philadelphia?
Impact100 Philadelphia is a nonprofit organization comprised of women, each donating $1,000 annually. One hundred percent of the funds donated by members will be returned to the Philadelphia region in the form of grants. After a grant review process from January through May, Impact100 members determine, by voting at tje annual meeting in June, the organization to which the $100,000 grant will be given. By pooling our resources to create one large gift, we will make a significant, high-impact grant.

How can I become a member of Impact100 Philadelphia?
Just print and complete the Membership Form, and mail it to us along with your $1,000 check. Membership Forms and donations are due by December 1st in order to be included in the grant awarded the following June.

How long is my membership valid?
Each $1,000 donation provides membership for one year’s grant cycle. Members can continue from year-to-year as long as donations are received annually by December 1.

What role is there for me if I can’t make the $1,000 contribution?
You can become a Friend of Impact100 Philadelphia and play a very important role in our organization. We welcome donations from individuals and local businesses to offset our organizational expenses. All Friends' donations are tax deductible. While your Friends' donation does not provide you with voting rights, it will help ensure that 100 percent of each member's $1,000 donation goes directly to the grant. Your donation will be designated to cover administrative costs.

How is it possible that 100 percent of my contribution goes to the grant recipient? How are administrative and membership recruitment expenses covered?
Administrative costs are offset in three ways. Friends of Impact100 Philadelphia is a separate pool of contributions that underwrite administrative operating expenses. All Friends donations are tax-deductible. Furthermore, bank interest is earned on membership donations between their receipt and the pay-out of the grant award the following summer. These interest earnings also help to offset our modest administrative costs. Finally, Impact100 seeks corporate, foundation, and in-kind donations specifically for administrative expenses.

Is my donation to Impact100 Philadelphia tax-deductible?
Yes. Impact100 Philadelphia received its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS on October 10, 2008. Contributions made by December 31st are tax-deductible for the year in which the donation was made.

What is required of a member?
To be a member, you must be a woman, at least 21 years old, and you must donate $1,000 by December 1 for the grant(s) to be awarded the following June. Beyond that, you can be involved as much as you would like. If you simply want to write a check and cast your vote, that’s fine. If you’d like to participate more actively, there are lots of ways, such as reviewing proposals and making site visits to nonprofits, or serving on a board committee.

I want to give more than $1,000. Do I get more than one vote?
No. Our founding principle is ”one woman, one vote.” Every member gets one vote even if she gives more than $1,000. Any amount given over $1,000 is greatly appreciated, and goes to offset administrative costs.

Will you accept gifts of stock or allow my membership to be charged on a credit card?
We accept both stock donations and credit card payments. To make a stock donation, please click here for the Stock Donation Form . To make a credit card donation, please visit the How to Join section of the Members page.

My company matches funds for charitable donations. Can I give $500 and have my company match it to make my total $1,000 donation?
No. The entire $1,000 donation must come from one individual. However, we greatly appreciate matching funds from employers and will use these funds to offset administrative costs.

Who may apply for the Impact100 Philadelphia grant?
Any Philadelphia region nonprofit organization that meets our eligibility requirements may apply for the grant in one of five Focus Areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family and Health & Wellness. Grants are for programs or projects of organizations with annual operating budgets between $400,000 and $5 million. Detailed eligibility requirements and application procedures are available on our website in the Grant Applicants section.

How will the grant recipient be selected?
Each Focus Area has a committee made up of Impact100 Philadelphia members. These committees review and evaluate the applications, and may request a site visit, to select a deserving finalist.
Committee members attend training sessions to learn how to evaluate grant proposals. This training teaches committee members to consider the credibility, capability and commitment of the applicant organization and the feasibility and significance of the proposed project or program.
After each committee selects its finalist, all Impact100 Philadelphia members receive executive summaries about the finalists. The finalists attend our annual member meeting in June and make presentations about their projects. Members attending the annual meeting will vote after the presentations are completed. Members will be able to vote by absentee ballot if unable to attend the meeting. Selection of the finalist will be announced at the end of the annual meeting.

How will organizations know about the grant?
Impact100 Philadelphia contacts the nonprofit community with information about the application process and key dates. Members can help publicize the grant by letting organizations know about Impact100 and by directing them to this website.