The dynamic women of Indian River Impact 100 gathered at Oak Harbor Club last Wednesday morning for a sold-out Membership Kickoff Breakfast, launching the group into its ninth year of collective charitable giving. The simple but formidable concept behind the organization is to provide transformational $100,000 grants to local nonprofits through $1,000 member donations, empowering collectively what most could not otherwise provide individually.
“This is a movement that is taking place with women across the United States,” said Impact 100 President Suzanne Bertman, noting that roughly 200 local women have already signed up as 2017 members. “We will this year surpass the $3 million giving mark for transformational grants. I want to really thank each and every one of you who are the committed members who give that money, because we are seeing the impact of Impact 100 here in Indian River County.”
She acknowledged Jeff Pickering, CEO of the Indian River Community Foundation, which administers the Impact 100 fund, and thanked event co-chairs Brenda Lloyd and Suzanne Conway, event sponsor Toby Hill of The Hill Group, and speaker co-sponsors FPL and Impact 100 member Elke Fetterolf.
“It is through your approach to philanthropy that I believe you have changed the environment and landscape of the philanthropic community here in Indian River County,” said Hill. “We applaud you for it and we encourage you to stay focused on your mission.”
Fetterolf said that what most impressed her about the organization she joined eight years ago was that 100 percent of her $1,000 donation would be applied to the grants. However, understanding the reality of administrative expenses, she encouraged others to also sponsor or contribute a little more to help offset necessary expenditures.
This past summer, Impact 100 member Laura Steward interviewed 35 individuals whose lives have been affected through programs funded by Impact 100 grants, compiling them into an “Impact of Impact 100” video series. Despite breaking a bone in her foot the night before, Steward soldiered on as the host of a “fireside chat” at the breakfast with two of those interviewees.
Noe Chico is a beneficiary through the Literacy Services of Indian River County PEN (Parents Engaged Now) program, which inspires and motivates parents to become more engaged in their children’s education. He related that by providing him with guidelines to open new channels of communication with his 8-year-old daughter, the program has greatly enhanced all aspects of both their lives.
Barbara Ellison spoke about the uplifting experience she and her late husband received during his illness and final days through the VNA’s Music Therapy program, noting that the caring ministrations of music therapist Moreen Berkart enriched their lives mentally, physically and spiritually.
“This is what your donation does,” said Steward. “It’s not that it’s just going to an organization; it’s going to people in our community whose lives are permanently changed. I thank all of you for enabling that to happen.”
