Impact 100 Jersey Coast Announces 2020 Grant Finalists

Impact 100 Jersey Coast, a philanthropic volunteer organization of women whose mission is to provide transformational grants to projects proposed by local nonprofits, is delighted to announce the names of the five finalists for this year’s grants. 

Since 2015, Impact 100 Jersey Coast has provided grants of more than $1.1 million to nonprofits that apply and are selected by its members. Grants are funded by members’ pooled annual membership donations and, for 2020, the 456 members are excited to be awarding a further four grants of $114,000 each to projects across four of five designated focus areas.

The five Impact 100 Jersey Coast 2020 Grant Finalists, all of which are applauded for the tremendous work they do and the services they offer in Monmouth County,  are:

 

Arts & Culture:  Monmouth Museum

The Monmouth Museum, an independent, non-profit organization established in 1963, presents changing art, history and science exhibitions to educate and entertain while providing a destination for creative expression and life-long learning to the diverse community it serves.

 

Children & Families:  HABcore
HABcore, by providing permanent housing and individualized support, helps homeless families, veterans, and individuals with special needs move through crisis to stability, giving them the opportunity to improve their lives.

 

Education:  Aslan Youth Ministries
Aslan’s mission is to effect permanent change in the hearts and minds of at-risk youth residing in Red Bank, Long Branch, Asbury Park and Neptune, New Jersey. By participating in our after-school and summer programs targeted towards specific needs, students see improvement in their social skills, emotional development, and academics. All programs incorporate supportive relationships and positive expectations for achievement.

 

Environment, Parks & Recreation:  American Littoral Society
American Littoral Society’s mission is to promote the study and conservation of marine life and habitat, protect the coast from harm, and empower others to do the same.

 

 

Health & Wellness: Fulfill of Monmouth & Ocean Counties
Fulfill’s mission is to alleviate hunger and build food security in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.  Our vision is a food secure community where all people at all times have access to enough food to lead an active and healthy life.

The four grant recipients will be determined by the votes cast by the entire membership at Impact 100 Jersey Coast’s annual meeting on November 17, which will be held virtually this year. At the meeting, the five finalists will have the opportunity to make compelling four-minute presentations to the Impact 100 members. Packets with detailed information about each finalist’s proposed project will be sent to all members in early November, and absentee ballots are available to those who cannot attend the virtual meeting. Each member has a single and equal vote and grants will be announced that evening immediately following the vote.

“We are humbled and inspired by all our applicants and thank them for their continued dedication to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community,” stated Rowena Crawford-Phillips, Impact 100 Grants Chair.

There were 61 grant applicants in 2020. Each underwent a comprehensive screening process to determine their eligibility, review their financials, and assess the impact of their proposed projects. The rigorous evaluation was conducted by a committee of dedicated Impact 100 volunteers.  

After the grants are awarded in November, each recipient group will work with an assigned Impact 100 liaison to provide updates on the progress of their proposed programs over the course of the grant period which extends up to a maximum of two years.

Despite the challenges of COVID, which made an impact of its own on the organization’s traditional in-person events and activities, the membership has grown from an initial group of 11 at its founding in 2015 to a total of 456 women this year, with each member contributing $1,000 to the grants fund. The giving collective is currently welcoming women to join the 2021 class and all upcoming recruitment events can be found on the Events page of their website.

For more information about Impact 100 Jersey Coast, visit https://www.impact100jerseycoast.org/

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