The Indian River Impact 100 leadership team on Friday announced at a presentation at the Vero Beach Yacht Club that seven non-profit agencies are finalists in the selection process for four $100,000 grants, which will be awarded in April.
More than 400 women in the 2016 Impact 100 membership have each contributed $1,000 toward the grants for projects focused on family; education; health & wellness, and enrichment & environment. The dollar amount over $400,000 will be split equally among the three finalists who do not receive a $100,000 grant. A number of women have also contributed additional funding to help offset administrative costs for the all-volunteer organization. Impact 100 funds are administered through the Indian River Community Foundation.
This year’s finalists are:
Environmental Learning Center – Using nature therapy to improve human wellness and the environment;
Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County – Project SNIP, a spay/neuter intervention program;
Indian River Habitat for Humanity – Meadows Field, a recreation area, soccer field and walking trail in Fellsmere.
New Horizons of the Treasure Coast – Indian River Learning Center to improve clients’ life skills, mental health and physical wellness;
Pelican Island Audubon Society – Expanding after-school nature programs and fund transportation for underserved children in the south county;
The Learning Alliance – Moonshot Institute Literacy Learning Lab for educators;
United Against Poverty (former Harvest Food and Outreach Center) – Jump starting job opportunities in Indian River County.
Finalists were given an opportunity to meet with the press and discuss their projects, an important step in getting the word out about their organizations’ needs before the final vote on April 20.
Impact president Rebecca Emmons and grant chair Wanda Lincoln acknowledged that the application process, which began in September, was a difficult one. Applying for the grants takes patience, dogged perseverance and plenty of guidance from those previously involved.
The Impact 100 leadership committee was tasked with thoroughly vetting each applicant, a task they did not take lightly. They realized that projects have the potential not only to aid each organization, but also to shape the future of Indian River County.
“It’s no small task and these are some very courageous women,” said Lincoln to good natured laughter. “I think the biggest initial responsibility we have is to look at that grant and ask how that will impact our community and then after the grants are given to follow up and make sure that impact happens. I am very proud to be associated with Impact 100. There are very few people who can afford to give $100,000 but a $1,000 donation combined with others has a powerful effect.”
“I think the most difficult aspect is that the grants cover so many varied topics,” said president-elect Suzanne Bertman, a former grant chair. “If you were just doing all mental health or all educational grants, it might be easier to evaluate them side by side. You have to wear a lot of different hats to figure out how this is going to affect our community.”
Emmons said that Impact 100 members have provided more than $3 million in total grants since its inception, thanks to donations by women of Indian River County – $1,000 at a time.
