Exciting News from Our New President 

Greetings Impact100 DC Members,

As our 2026 Grants Cycle gets underway, I’m thrilled to share that Impact100 DC has reached 312 members and $300,000 in our grant pool! This remarkable milestone reflects the power of our collective commitment to improving lives across the greater Washington, DC area.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the recent “mighty push” to recruit friends, family members, colleagues, and neighbors. Your efforts, alongside our Membership Recruiting Team, made this achievement possible, and we are deeply grateful.

This means that, for the first time, Impact100 DC will award three $100,000 Impact Grants this June! Impact100’s focus on high-impact grants is central to our model and our mission: supporting bold and lasting change. And while we recognize that there are many valid models for collective giving, the significance of a $100,000 grant to our local nonprofit community is truly noteworthy. 

As I’ve reflected over the past days, I was reminded of a recent conversation with Penelope Spain, CEO of Open City Advocates and our 2023 Impact Grant recipient. She captured the importance of Impact100 DC’s $100,000 grants this way:

“While smaller grants are always appreciated, and can help meet immediate needs, larger grants give nonprofits the freedom to think big — to launch new initiatives, grow their teams, and respond to emerging challenges. A significant grant can move an organization to its next stage, amplifying its impact and attracting additional support long after the initial investment.”

I’m already anticipating the excitement of our June Celebration, when we will award three deserving organizations Impact Grants that will help propel them forward. With your continued passion and support, I’m confident our impact — and our grant pool — will only continue to grow.

Thank you for all that you do to make this possible.

Onward!

Francine 

Impact100 DC President

Attention New Members: New Member Coffees

Join Impact100 DC President Francine Lamoriello, Founding President Ann Vaughn, and Membership Chair Elisa Joseph Anders on one of these dates for coffee and conversation. Bring your questions!

• Saturday, Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m., in Cabin John, MD – RSVP here.
• Friday, Feb. 27, 8:30 a.m., in Bethesda, MD – RSVP here.

So Many Hands Raised. Thank You!

Thank you to the many members who raised their hands to volunteer this year. We’re excited about the talent, experience, and energy you’re bringing to Impact100 DC to help strengthen our community and impact.

Focus Area Committee (FAC) work is underway, and this work is central to our mission. Thank you to everyone participating in our grant review committees!



Many of you also expressed interest in contributing in other areas, including membership, communications, events, fellowship, finance, fundraising, technology, and corporate partnerships. We greatly appreciate your willingness to share your time, skills, and ideas in support of Impact100 DC.

As we finalize our 2026 plan and clarify roles and timeframes, we’ll be thoughtful about aligning opportunities with members’ interests and availability. If you’ve offered to help, you’ll hear from us over the next couple of months. If you haven’t yet volunteered but would like to get involved, please email Francine and let us know what areas interest you.

2026 Grant Cycle Updates

The Grants Committee is thrilled to report that we had a record number of registrations for the Jan. 7 Grant Cycle Kickoff meeting. This strong turnout reflects robust member engagement and sets a solid foundation for the 2026 grant review season. 

A reminder: FAC application reviews began this week.

We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this strong start possible including those who helped grow our membership, volunteered for FAC leadership roles, and the many Fellows and Finance Committee members whose dedication underpins this work.

Impact100 DC Grantee Update: Edu-Futuro

Our 2025 Impact Grantee, Edu-Futuro, empowers underserved youth and families through mentorship, education, leadership development, and workforce preparation. 

With Impact100 DC’s support, Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) delivers a “Classroom to Career” continuum serving students from middle school through college. ELP equips participants with the academic, leadership, and life skills they need to achieve their goals and access greater opportunities.

Since receiving our Impact Grant in June 2025: 

• 644 students participated in ELP programs, including 264 high school students who attended summer camps focused on STEM and robotics, leadership, financial literacy, public speaking, civic engagement, and the college application process. 
• 61 high school students are receiving one-on-one mentoring for college selection, application essays, and financial aid, while mentors also provide career guidance. 
• 56 middle school students participated in social-emotional learning sessions to build self-awareness and leadership skills.
• 41 college students are receiving year-round mentoring and workshops focused on academic success, career exploration, and financial literacy to support college persistence.

Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you to our sponsors!