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| April Newsletter |
Vol. 16 2011 |
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Quick Links
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Did You Know?
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* Impact is now on Twitter. Follow us at Impact100philly.
* Jessica Franzini, of New Jersey Tree Foundation (our 2010 grantee), was recently honored for outstanding service and named one of 10 "Women of Purpose" by the City of Camden and Mayor Dana Redd. * Just out in March, the Pew 2011 State of the City report cites positive trends in Philadelphia, but persistent poverty as well.
* Join iGive, an online shopping community that donates a percentage of the cost of purchases to the cause of your choice. Already, iGive has earned more than $50 for Impact operating expenses. The iGive
website explains how to register.
* There are now 13 active Impact groups in the country. Collectively, they will have donated more than $15 million to the nonprofit community by the end of 2011, according to Impact 100 (Cincinnati) President Jenny Berg, who posted the news recently on Facebook. Berg follows the progress of Impact groups nationwide.
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From the Grants Chair
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Grants Chair
Anita Lockhart
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We are in the middle of my favorite part of the grant cycle -- site visits. The Focus Area Committee (FAC) members are busy traveling to 24 nonprofit organizations during the month of April. That's up from 16 site visits made last year. So far the visits have been exciting as we have the opportunity to see the nonprofits in action. FAC members have returned from visits motivated and in awe of the work being done.
I'd like to thank all those who are participating in site visits. The observations they bring back to the rest of the FAC are extremely helpful in the decision-making process. Combined with the proposals and discussions at FAC meetings, these insights produce a grant finalist from each committee.
In May, those finalists will be chosen and then announced. And in June at the Annual Meeting, all members will vote to award the 2011 grants -- $164,000 in total. Thanks to everyone for their continued support.
Anita Lockhart Grants Chair Impact100 Philadelphia |
Member Spotlight: Josey Stamm
 Who I Am A lifetime Philadelphian, I was a geology major in college, spent three years studying art, practiced law for seven years, and then became general counsel and director of external affairs at The University of the Arts. Nineteen years ago, I founded the nonprofit NetworkArts. The main focus of our work has been environmental education, where I found my past lives of geology, law, the arts, and ecology rolled into one. We have worked with more than 50,000 students throughout Philadelphia, Chester, and Camden, studying curricula in the arts and sciences and creating educational mosaics in schools and other public spaces like the airport and museums. How I heard about Impact NetworkArts was an applicant for Impact funding in the 2009 grant cycle. The opportunity it offered a small nonprofit to envision projects otherwise unreachable ignited a whole new area of thought for us. Though we didn't receive the grant that year, going through the process of application, research, planning, and site visit stimulated initiatives we would not have otherwise pursued.
What my journey has meant
I will be retiring officially next year. Joining Impact as a member offers me the opportunity to 'give back.' I am serving on the Family FAC and I have been impressed by the care and thoughtfulness of the educational seminars and the insights of my fellow committee members. I appreciate Impact's collective process. For me, it has brought new insight into the work and care that goes into effective philanthropy.
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FAC Update: Members to Choose Finalists Soon
Impact's five Focus Area Committees (FACs) have visited local nonprofit organizations over the last few weeks to determine which will represent the five focus areas (Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family and Health & Wellness) as grant finalists this year. The FACs read 41 full proposals and chose 24 organizations to visit. During a site visit, FAC members have a chance to walk around a facility, ask questions about written proposals and hear from directors and other representatives.
The committees will choose grant finalists at their next meetings; the five finalists will be announced in mid-May. Two representatives from each finalist organization will attend the Annual Meeting on June 6 and present details of their proposals to members. Members will vote then to award $164,000 in funding, with the top finalist garnering a project grant of $100,000; two finalists receiving $20,000 each and two finalists receiving $12,000 each, in operating funds.
To read more about the five focus areas and the grant process, please visit Impact's website.
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Family FAC members gather to discuss proposals
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Family FAC Chair Kathy Echternach (left) with Wendie Broker
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What's to Be Gained From a Site Visit?
It can bring a written proposal to life, members say
We recently asked a few members who have served on FACs to talk about their experience participating in site visits.
Karyn Scher offered this perspective: 'Takin' it to the Streets' with Impact site visits enriches the more abstract conference room experience. Witnessing committed non-profit organizations in action, interacting with dedicated professionals, volunteers, and consumers of services is inspiring and enlightening. I also felt stimulated by the exchange of impressions with other Impact members whose perspective expanded and supplemented my own.
Sandy Daly added: I found the site visits to be extremely important. They add dimension and texture to the paper presentation we initially consider. Because I find that a good portion of my decision-making is from the gut...I have a need to meet the people and be in the buildings or neighborhoods of the organizations that I have only "seen" on paper. The people we meet are often so committed and involved and passionate that they energize an entire room with the force of their personalities and it is truly awe-inspiring. I have often come away with renewed energy and some sadness that Impact100 didn't come into my life at an earlier age.
Read comments from more members at our blog.
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Thanks very much to members who over the last few weeks nominated themselves or other members to six open positions on the Impact Board of Directors. The current board will vote on the proposed slate at its meeting May 17. We appreciate the feedback, as well as the commitment, of all involved. Thank you.
Beth Burrell
Communications Chair
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