Impact100 Philadelphia Sees 15% Growth, Set to Give Away $328,000 in 2014

Impact100 Philadelphia, a collective giving organization, is set to award $328,000 to Philadelphia-area nonprofits in June.

The sum is the group’s highest to date, due to an increase in membership. Every member contributes $1,000 to join for one year, and the pooled funds are donated to competing nonprofits.

New member Melinda Berkman learned about Impact100 when her nonprofit applied for a grant last year. “Philanthropy is something I’ve always been interested in, and it’s a really unique opportunity to be on the giving side of the equation,” says Berkman, who serves as the director of finance for Broad Street Ministry.

Berkman was so impressed with the group that she encouraged two friends to join, a frequent outcome that has fueled Impact100’s growth. “The people who are our members are the best saleswomen,” says Impact100 Co-President Sue Dubow, “our growth is organic and in some ways intentional.”

The group’s 2013 membership, which rose 15 percent over last year, benefitted from a series of informal meetings in the homes of current members, who recruit friends and neighbors to learn about the organization’s work and the benefits of collective giving.

“Impact100’s giving model provides a forum for our members and friends to become more educated about philanthropy and the issues facing the local community,” explains Dubow. “It also provides members with valuable connections to a diverse group of women with similar values and interests.”

Since its establishment in 2008, Impact100 has awarded a total of $1.22 million dollars to local nonprofits and has recently taken steps to measure its impact. In the fall, previous grantees began completing  sustainability surveys. The results will help inform future grantmaking.

Impact100 has a two-step grant process, and Letters of Inquiry are due on January 6, 2014. The membership will award three $100,000 project grants and two $14,000 operating grants in June.

“I would encourage interested organizations to take a look at our website,” says Dubow. “It’s a great opportunity, and we’re looking for a broad range of nonprofits to apply.”

Image via Erin Kane