Dear Members and Friends,

Last month, we came together at Les Bons Temps to celebrate raising $111,000 for the Impact100 grant and more than $6,000 for administrative expenses.  We also marked the launch of the grant-making phase of our process. Over the next six weeks, participants on the Focus Area Committees (FACs) will evaluate proposals and attend site visits for applicant organizations, while the Financial Review Panel will analyze information submitted by each nonprofit. The review process culminates on May 8 with the announcement of a finalist for each Focus Area. Then on June 1, the entire membership will meet for presentations by the finalists, and to vote for a recipient of the inaugural grant.  We hope all of you will be able to attend, but if you can't, absentee ballots will be available.  

Giving as one, we will make a significant difference in the region. Only by working together were we able to reach a grant of this magnitude, and we ask that you continue to spread the word about Impact100 to women who might be interested.  We already have one new member who has joined for the 2010 grant, and a current member who has made her second year's donation.  If you are able to join early in 2009 to fund the second Impact100 grant, it is tremendously helpful, and by mid-April, this can be done on the website.  

If you were not able to sign up for a FAC this year, please know we welcome your participation next year.  In the meantime, if you'd like to get involved by helping at the Annual Meeting, email members@impact100philly.org,  Any level of involvement in Impact100 -- from simply casting a vote in June, to reviewing proposals, to holding a leadership position, to making a "Friend" donation -- is welcome. We value your contribution.  Thank you!

Beth Dahle and Mary Broach
Founders and Co-Presidents
 
Pictured above, from left, Impact100 Board members Jacquie Kelly, Anita Lockhart, Charlotte Schutzman, Beth Dahle, Ellan Bernstein and Mary Broach.

Who are the members of Impact100 Philadelphia? More than 50 came out Feb. 9, some meeting for the first time, others re-connecting with friends.  Coming from the city and suburbs and ranging widely in age and profession, they are linked by a common goal:  To make a big impact on their Philadelphia community.  Above, members paused from appetizers and refreshments to gather on the stairway in Les Bons Temps Restaurant. Owner Howard Taylor was gracious and generous, providing hors d'oeuvres, as well as a tour of his newly renovated restaurant.  Board presidents took the opportunity to announce that 121 nonprofit organizations had applied for Impact100's first grant. A careful reading winnowed that total to 36 nonprofits that were invited to submit full proposals.

Impact100 Philadelphia
First Annual Meeting

June 1, 2009

Dinner By The Bite
6-9 PM

The Down Town Club
Public Ledger Building
150 S. Independence Mall West

Charlotte Schutzman, Public Relations/ Marketing Chair (left) and Jacquie Kelly, Recruiting Chair, have worked hard to raise the profile of Impact100 in the community. Two local newspapers recently highlighted the mission of Impact100.
The City Paper published details about our inaugural grant in December in its Number-Runner column.  The Philadelphia Inquirer published a short story and photos Feb. 18 from the Les Bons Temps event (Section E, Pg 6).