Impact100 members voted Monday night to award a $100,000 project grant to the New Jersey Tree Foundation to plant hundreds of trees, bringing hope to ailing Camden neighborhoods by empowering residents and reducing pollution and urban blight.  Sheila Roberts, a Camden resident for 59 years, said the Foundation's Urban Airshed Reforestation Project had brought "hope and rebirth" to underserved parts of Camden.

Sheila Roberts and Jessica Franzini with Grants Chair Anita Lockhart

"It brings new life to the community.  Many people don't think of trees as changing people's lives," said Jessica Franzini, project director.  "But they do."

Established in 1998, the NJTF dedicated itself in 2002 to plant shade trees in Camden. According to its proposal, 3,835 trees have been planted in 126 Camden communities with the help of 7,300 volunteers.  In that time, the foundation and its volunteers have been struck by the transformation to neighborhoods, Franzini said.

"We want to expand our program with the Impact grant to make Camden a green, healthy and safe place to live," Franzini said. For her part, Roberts (now a certified Camden treekeeper) said the trees have emboldened residents to change their lives.  She has watched people come outside again, kids play outdoors, people plant flowers in beds around the trees, and feel pride in their communities.  "A tree really is a symbol of hope.  Picture not having one, and you understand."

The project will expand the foundation's current program by planting 220 trees and 600 shrubs and perennials, with the help of more than 500 Camden residents and volunteers.

 

Impact100 members gathered at Beat Street Station in Manayunk Monday evening to hear presentations from the five grant finalists this year. The evening culminated several months of grant proposal review and site visits, with each of the five focus area committees (FACs) nominating a finalist.  In addition to this year's three grantees, other project finalists were Center in the Park's Wellness Outreach Program (Health & Wellness) and the Fleisher Art Memorial's ColorWheels mobile arts studio (Arts & Culture).

Impact100 thanks the staff at Beat Street for helping to make the annual meeting such a success.

 

The Board of Directors voted in May to appoint two new members to the board as well as welcome back three current board members for new terms during the 2011 grant year.  Impact's new treasurer is Barbara Renninger and new membership chair is Deborah Fedder.  Both women were founding members of Impact100 in 2008. 

Mary Broach, co-founder and co-president, whose two-year term ends this month, will serve a one-year term as immediate past president.  Charlotte Schutzman, who most recently served as membership chair, will serve as co-president with Beth Dahle, current co-president.  Anita Lockhart will continue as grants chair.  For a full list of Impact100's leadership, visit the About Us page of the website.

 

Monday, Sept. 27: Fall Welcome Event

Monday, Nov. 8:   Educational Event on Women's Philanthropy -- How Women Give Differently From Men. Speaker:  Donna Hall, CEO of Women Donors Network, San Francisco.

As one grant cycle closes, a new grant year begins.  One day after the close of the 2010 grant cycle, 24 women have joined Impact100 for the 2011 grant year.  To participate in the upcoming year, please complete a membership form and send your donation to P.O. Box 275, Wynnewood, PA, 19096.  We hope you will join us as we continue to collectively support the nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia region.

 

Thanks for reading the final e-newsletter of the 2010 grant year.  Next week, you will receive an email survey about Impact100 and your experience over the last year.  Please take a few moments to complete the survey so that we may improve the organization.

As always, thank you for supporting the mission of Impact100 Philadelphia -- working together to make a difference.

Have a great summer,

Beth Burrell
Communications Chair