When was the last time you made a donation and knew exactly how the money was being spent?  Many of us choose an organization we believe in, perhaps not understanding where the money is going, but hoping for the best.  

Last month, a young couple and their children rang the doorbell at the offices of the Philadelphia Committee to End Homelessness (PCEH), desperate to be out of a shelter. They had lost their apartment after their landlord would not eliminate dangerously high levels of lead paint.
 
With the help of Impact100's first grant awarded in June to PCEH, this couple and others are getting the chance to rebuild their lives. Collective giving - combining our dollars to make a high-impact grant - offers this kind of direct and dramatic result.
 
In PCEH's first grant report submitted to Impact100 this month, Phyllis Ryan Jackson outlined the many steps being taken to move 25 families - including 60 children -- out of homelessness since June. Phyllis is the executive director and project manager at PCEH, which created SafeHome Philadelphia in 2005, a collaboration with CHOP and Early Head Start. Impact100 members voted June 1 to award $111,000 to PCEH - the combined dollars of our 111 members.
   
By Sept. 25, the first 10 families will be settled in their homes.
 
In her report, Jackson said she hoped that the efforts of PCEH will be recognized by the City of Philadelphia and that by working together, "we can help families and individuals bypass the homelessness system...and quickly recover from a housing crisis." Their goal? Prevent and eliminate homelessness, rather than continuing to manage it with shelters.
 
Both Jackson and Ruth Holland, SafeHome's Housing Advocate, will speak at Impact100's Welcome Reception Oct. 19th.  Come hear what they have to share about breaking the cycle of homelessness with the help of the Impact grant. Holland has worked tirelessly since June to identify families in need, meet landlords and find safe, affordable housing.
 
"The difference a home makes in a family's life is so great, it is almost indescribable," writes Jackson. "The stability it affords affects everything from school performance to health to familial relationships....These homes are life changers."

Stephanie Corp Maguire (right) has joined our board this fall as Chair of Public Relations and Marketing. Charlotte Schutzman, previously in this position, continues on the board overseeing our website and membership. 

Stephanie has more than 30 years of wide-ranging experience in development, institutional advancement and external affairs with academic and health care organizations. She holds the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation from American College and an MBA from Drexel University. She currently serves as board chair for American Dancewheels Foundation.

After learning about Impact100 last year, Stephanie joined because she was excited about the "concept of women pooling their funds, expertise and time to make a large community-changing grant." Stephanie has lived in the Philadelphia area since 1962 when her family emigrated from England.

Additionally, we have five new Focus Area Committee chairs:
Arts & Culture:  Deborah Correll
Education:  Margie Patches
Environment: Judith Harkins
Family:  Carrie Brodsky
Health & Wellness:  Jacquie Stern

Member Karen Batchelder is the new Chair of the Financial Review Panel; and Barbara Gross and Claudie Williams return as chairs of the Annual Meeting.  We thank all of our members for stepping forward.

 

In June, members replied to an online survey that they were very satisfied with the work of Impact100 during its first year.  All respondents said their involvement had met or exceeded their expectations. 

Out of 111 members, 54 members took the survey, which included 36 questions.  That's a 49 percent response rate.  Thank you for offering very valuable feedback.

A sampling of comments:

"To me, Impact100 truly made the act of giving joyful.  I feel educated and involved in my gift (and our gift)....Impact100 has also made me think differently about all of my philanthropic giving.''

"I see the group's potential as limitless."

"I enjoyed being part of a bright and energetic group of women thoughtfully and passionately helping to make a positive difference in our larger community."

To sum up the survey's findings:

• Many members felt the financial review process should be strengthened. As a result, this year each Focus Area Committee (FAC) will now include a member with financial expertise to ensure that all FAC members are properly informed of financial analysis results.
• Hearing nonprofits' presentations at the annual meeting was insufficient to make an informed decision about the grant recipient. Members would like to continue receiving as much information as possible about the finalists in advance of the annual meeting. 
• Members thought the annual meeting could be improved with better acoustics and lighting. Whether the evening features light dinner or only dessert, members overwhelmingly said they enjoyed meeting and talking with other philanthropic women.

We asked members to describe what they enjoyed most about being a founding member of Impact100.  Members gave high marks to:

1. Being part of a group making a significant gift -- and difference --  in their community.
2. Meeting like-minded women who are dedicated and accomplished.
3. Learning about the nonprofit community and taking part in reviewing grant proposals.

We thank Wendy Peck, Chair of Educational Programs, and member Karen Nathan for designing, launching and analyzing Impact100's first member survey.  Their generosity and your responses will lead to an improved Impact100 in 2010.

Impact100 has been chosen by PathWays PA for a 2009 Trailblazer Award. PathWays PA, a recognized leader providing social services for women, families and children in the Greater Philadelphia area, will present the award to Impact100 Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Valley Forge Radisson. The event will be co-chaired by United States Senators Arlen Specter and Robert Casey, Jr.


Impact100 Philadelphia also has been invited to lead a round table discussion about collective giving at the 2009 Annual Planned Giving Conference in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The day-long event is organized by the Philadelphia chapter of the Planned Giving Council at the Union League on South Broad Street.

October:
Barbara Gross, Bucks County
Mary Brown, Center City

November:
Marguerite Nealon, Newton Square
Sharon Taffet, Lower Merion