Impact100 DC: Grants in Action & What’s Ahead

Greetings to Impact100 DC Members and Friends,

We are well into our grant proposal review work and we are so humbled, as we are every year, by the number of incredible organizations working to address the huge scope of unmet needs in our Washington DC metropolitan community. The work is awe-inspiring.

I think it’s important to acknowledge that this is a time of immense uncertainty and disruption for our nonprofit friends and for a great many of us at Impact100 DC – a time that so many of us are feeling especially profoundly in the Washington DC area. As you all know, we are not a political organization, and I’m not making a political observation here, but simply responding as a human being to the current circumstances. We are seeing and feeling the impact on our own lives, on our families and friends, on community institutions, and on the organizations working to make our metropolitan area a better place to live for everyone.

While I am keenly aware of the limits of our efforts and our dollars at Impact100 DC, I am so very grateful to be a part of a community whose oars are all pulling in the same direction. As you know, there is immense need and we are grateful that together we are able to support local organizations that work with those who need it most. For those who may want to contribute individually to any of our grantees (whether financially, by volunteering, or another way), you can find the list here.

I find joy and hope in our collective efforts – and there is no time like the present to find and savor those moments.

All my best,

Ann

Join Us for Happy Hour and Conversation at Supra!

We hope you will join us for sips and dips as we take over the bar at Supra Restaurant in downtown DC. In addition to connecting with each other, you can look forward to brief remarks by one of our inspiring grantees. All members and their guests are welcome!

WHEN: Saturday, March 8 and March 15, from 4:00-6:00 PM

WHERE: Supra, 1205 11th Street, NW

RSVP for March 8

RSVP for March 15

FAC Members Drive the Grant Review Process Forward

The 2025 grant review process is well underway! After receiving a record number of applications, our Focus Area Committees (FACs) – with 111 members participating –began their work in early February, reading and reviewing the submissions. They are on track to submit their semifinalist recommendations for each of the five focus areas to the Finance Committee by March 14. We extend a huge thank you to our FAC members for their time and dedication to this important work.

Impact100 DC Grants at Work

The MusicianShip:

2024 Mission Grant Recipient

The MusicianShip (TMS) empowers youth and emerging musicians from historically marginalized communities throughout the DC metropolitan region and beyond by providing free music education and enrichment programs that build skills and amplify talents, resulting in positive life-changing outcomes.

With the help of Impact100’s funds, TMS recently launched:

A Music Therapy program at the SEED School of Washington: This helps students express their emotions through music with the guidance of a licensed music therapist. It also offers them the opportunity to learn new skills, such as beat production.
A Songwriting and Expressive Arts course for students at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library: This empowers students to creatively express themselves through lyrics, develop stage presence, and build confidence.

Tenants and Workers United:

2022 Mission Grant Recipient

Tenants and Workers United (TWU) continues to support immigrants rights and center civic education, leadership development, and power-building with low-income communities of color across Northern Virginia. This year, TWU:

Advocated for and obtained affordable housing programs and increased tenants' rights.
Increased staff for Alexandria City Schools’ mental health and college & career readiness programs.
Increased access to the “Air Conditioning for Extreme Heat Resilience Pilot Program.”

Read more about TWU’s achievements.

Impact100 DC Fellows: Empowering Young Women in Philanthropy

The Fellowship program advances our commitment to building a community with diverse voices and perspectives by providing a path to women ages 21-39 who are interested in philanthropy but currently lack the financial resources to join us. This year, we have 14 fellows – 9 new fellows and 5 second year fellows. All are serving on grant review committees, where they’re already contributing their energy and ideas. Two are even serving as co-chairs!

Fellows and fellowship committee members at a Meet & Greet in January.

L-R: Sarah Keefe, Martha Coven, Emily Ruskin, Catherine Colgan, Ivette Morataya, Talia Curhan, Victoria Ferrari, Prianka Bhatia, Shayna Levitan, Emily Wichman, Ellen Sivon, Sophie van Gilder. Photo by Ann Vaughn. Not pictured: Khalila Lomax, Latriece Prince-Wheeler, Elizabeth Reddick, Chanelle Washington.

Stronger Together: Impact100 DC Volunteer Opportunities

We’ve had great conversations with members recently, and many want to get more involved. Here are a few key ways you can contribute:

Build partnerships – Help connect Impact100 DC with companies and organizations that can provide financial support, in-kind support, sponsor members, or connect us with new groups of prospective members. (Need help approaching your employer? We have templates!)
Manage our database – Support our member/donor database.
Reach out to prospective members – Assist with outreach to strengthen and grow our membership.
Host a member gathering – Bring members together by hosting a casual meet-up at your home. We can help with ideas!