July 2026 Newsletter Content | | |
Happy New Year!
Our 10th season officially began on July 1, 2026, and your Board of Directors and committee members have been hard at work planning what promises to be a spectacular year. We welcome seven women to new board positions—Jeanne Dunn, Nancy Johnson, Missi Campbell, Nadia Serenyi, Joan Gibbons, Sandra Porceng, and Karen Homer—and extend our heartfelt thanks to four outstanding women who recently retired from the board: Roseanne Wolcott, Kelly McIntyre, Joan Carter, and Genevieve George. We have also launched three new committees—Finance, Nature Club, and Community Connections—and are excited to have so many new committee members serving our chapter and our community.
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Here are the most important things you need to know as a Woman of Impact:
- We concluded Season 9 with 572 members, and the $572,000 in grants awarded in April brings our total grantmaking to $2,904,000 over the past nine years.
- We will unveil our new mission statement, vision statement, and strategic goals for Season 10 at the end of July.
- We received outstanding participation in our Member Survey, and you’ll find highlights from those results throughout this newsletter.
- Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 5, 2026! We’ll officially kick off the season while celebrating Global Day of Impact with a livestream from Stuart, Florida, to chapters around the world. Our founder, Wendy Steele, and her team will be here for what promises to be an exciting and memorable evening. Be sure to read more about this special event inside.
- Start planning now to renew your membership and invite your “plus one” to join you. Throughout the year, we’ll offer Meet & Mingles, See Your Impact events, Impactful Conversations, and many other opportunities to introduce friends to Impact100 Martin and the power of collective giving.
- Thank you to our Advisory Board—Nancy Wong, Maureen Cotter, Jen Eaton, Genevieve George, Tracy Sorzano, and Lisa LaFrance—for reviewing our bylaws, policies, and guidelines this summer. We are currently incorporating their recommendations, and following legal review and board approval, the updated documents will be posted on our website.
- Please encourage every nonprofit you know to register for our Grants Workshop on August 4 at the Children’s Services Council. Also remind them that The Community Foundation Martin–St. Lucie is an excellent resource for brainstorming project ideas before submitting a Letter of Intent.
As you can see, there’s a lot happening as we begin Season 10! Everything you need to know is included in this newsletter and on our website at impact100martin.org.
Thank you for being a Woman of Impact. Stay engaged, stay connected, and thank you for helping create positive, lasting change in our community.
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| President, Impact100 Martin | | As another successful grant season comes to a close, our Season 8 grant recipients continue to demonstrate the lasting impact of Impact100 Martin’s collective giving. Here’s a look at how our members’ investments are creating meaningful change throughout Martin County: | | |
Project LIFT – BuildUp: Empowering Martin County’s Next Generation of Skilled Workers
Thanks to an Impact100 Martin grant, Project LIFT successfully launched and expanded its Forklift Certification program, providing 52 young adults with industry-recognized forklift and OSHA 10 certifications. Sixteen participants have already secured employment, while many others are preparing to enter the workforce. The program also strengthened participants’ workplace readiness, with improvements in mental health and essential soft skills. Due to its success and strong employer demand, Project LIFT is now expanding the certification program to all of its locations, creating lasting workforce opportunities for young people across the region.
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The Banner Lake Club – Banner Lake Connections
With support from an Impact100 Martin grant, Banner Lake Connections provided 36 transportation trips for 29 local seniors, helping them access medical appointments, grocery stores, social services, and other essential community resources. Nearly half of participants used the service multiple times, demonstrating its ongoing value. Beyond transportation, the program reduced social isolation, increased independence, and helped seniors remain active, connected, and engaged in the Martin County community.
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Young Friends of the Everglades – Everglades Edudome Experience
Impact100 Martin funding helped expand the Everglades Edudome Experience, an immersive environmental education program that reached 2,654 students across 127 classrooms throughout Martin County. The program continued to grow through hands-on learning opportunities, enhanced educational exhibits, and new partnerships, while also earning the Keep Martin Beautiful Youth Impact Award. Its success has attracted interest from other organizations and secured additional funding to further expand environmental education opportunities for local students.
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House of Hope – Preserving Healthy Food for Our Community
With support from an Impact100 Martin grant, House of Hope expanded its innovative food preservation program, repurposing more than 1,200 pounds of healthy food into nearly 2,000 freeze-dried packages for pantry clients. The program has provided nutritious, shelf-stable foods to families while reducing food waste and increasing access to healthy options. Building on its success, House of Hope is preparing to launch workforce training opportunities, develop new retail products, and expand the program’s long-term community impact.
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SafeSpace – Emergency Shelter Improvements
Impact100 Martin funding helped SafeSpace complete significant upgrades to its emergency shelter, creating a safer, more comfortable, and more functional environment for survivors of domestic violence and their families. Improvements included enhanced security, upgraded kitchen and laundry facilities, new storage and lockers, and other essential infrastructure that will improve daily living conditions and support clients for years to come.
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Together, these projects demonstrate the incredible impact of collective giving. From preparing young adults for meaningful careers and preserving healthy food for families, to expanding environmental education, supporting older adults, and providing safe shelter for survivors, your membership continues to create positive, lasting change throughout Martin County.
Thank you for making these transformational projects possible.
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Other Grants Committee News
- The Treasure Coast Community Foundation of Martin–St. Lucie will host a Grant Writing Workshop on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Children’s Services Council conference room for nonprofits interested in applying during Season 10.
- The Grants Committee already has 31 committed members for Season 10! A calendar of mandatory meetings is available on the Impact100 Martin website.
- We extend our sincere gratitude to Joan Gibbons and Kelly McIntyre for their visionary leadership and dedication over the past three grant cycles. Their guidance has strengthened our grants process and helped maximize Impact100 Martin’s investment in our community.
With gratitude,
Samia Ferraro and Karen Homer
Season 10 Grant Co-Chairs
| | Help Us Reach 600 Members for Season 10! | |
Welcome, New Members!
Please join us in welcoming our newest Season 10 member:
Andrea Huff – Palm City South
Referred by Stephanie Gardiner
We’re thrilled to have Andrea join our community of women creating positive, lasting change through collective giving!
Growing Season 10
We’re off to a great start with 64 members already committed for Season 10 (2026–2027)!
Our goal is 600 members, and every new member brings us one step closer to increasing our impact in Martin County.
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Volunteer Opportunity: Welcome Circle Committee
Help us create a warm and meaningful experience for our newest members!
The Welcome Circle Committee is seeking a volunteer to maintain a simple tracking spreadsheet for new members, including:
- Join date
- Welcome call completed
- Name tag ordered
- New Member Bag delivered
- Welcome Circle orientation attendance
If you have a little time to help ensure every new member feels connected from day one, we’d love to hear from you!
Please text Judy Zanchi at 678-231-6511
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Scholarship Program Needs Your Marketing Talent
Do you enjoy marketing or have creative ideas for engaging people? Our Scholarship Committee is looking for a volunteer to help develop a simple newsletter campaign that will:
- Increase awareness of our scholarship program
- Encourage donors to support scholarship memberships
- Inspire current members to gift memberships
- Reach women who may not otherwise have the opportunity to join Impact100 Martin
This is a fun opportunity to help grow an important program that expands access to our collective giving mission.
If you’re interested, please contact Michelle Katzman, Scholarship Committee Chair, at 772-285-6280 or mkatzman@bellsouth.net.
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Renew Today
Membership renewal is now open, and we encourage you to renew early as we prepare for another impactful year of collective giving. If you are unsure of your renewal date, contact info@impact100martin.org.
Your Membership Co-Chairs,
Judy Zanchi and Sarah Murphy
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Sandra Porceng
Our mission at Impact100 is to be enablers—supporting charities that directly improve individual lives. This month, we’re proud to spotlight a woman whose career and volunteer work reflect that commitment.
Sandra Porceng, a second-generation Floridian, moved to Palm City with her husband, Kurt, and their two Labrador retrievers just under two years ago. Before retiring, she built a successful career in Human Resources and took strategic operational roles within the automotive industry, leading a wide range of people-focused initiatives that strengthened teams and supported individuals.
Her commitment to service extended well beyond her professional role. Sandra became involved in several Broward County organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Women in Distress, Reading Pals, Mission United, and the Youth Automotive Training Center. Her volunteer work covered the gamut of need-related activities - from building houses and helping women rebuild confidence during difficult times to reading with children, helping returning military personnel secure employment, and supporting at-risk youth in earning their GEDs.
Soon after moving to Palm City, Sandra met member Yvonne Orr while walking her dogs. She attended a Meet & Mingle soon after and, inspired by Impact100’s collaborative philanthropy, joined that very night. In just one year, her passion for helping others led her to accept a board position. Today, she serves as Co-Chair of the Communications & Marketing Committee alongside Brigite Babine.
Sandra plans to continue engaging with local organizations that support individuals in need, and we are grateful that she has chosen Impact100 Martin as one of her priorities.
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Member Engagement Events Listing
Casual Golf - Play 9 holes for all skill levels
Friday Mornings 9:00am–11:00am
Sailfish Sands, Stuart
Please let Brenda know by Wednesday of each week if you plan to play, so she can book a tee time. Text Brenda at 914-337-0490. It's pay-to-play directly at the course ($25 per person for 9 holes).
Welcome Circle: Member Orientation
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Virtual Event - a link will be provided to registered attendees.
Social Hour at the Pearl
Thursday, July 23, 2026, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Pearl, Stuart
Impact Book Club – James by Percival Everett
Monday, August 3, 2026, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location details will be provided to those registered by July 30, 2026
Welcome Circle: Member Orientation
Thursday, August 20, 2026, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Virtual Event - a link will be provided to registered attendees.
Social Hour at the Pearl
Thursday, August 27, 2026, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Pearl, Stuart
Welcome Circle: Member Orientation
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Virtual Event - a link will be provided to registered attendees.
Welcome Circle: Member Orientation
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Virtual Event - a link will be provided to registered attendees.
Save the date
10th Anniversary Kick Off & Global Day of Impact
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Indian River State College, Stuart
| | Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey in April. A summary of the results will be posted on the Members Only section of our website soon, but here are a few highlights to share. | | |
Introducing the Impact100 Academy
We are thrilled to share that a robust new online learning platform was officially launched at the Impact100 Global Conference! The Impact100 Academy is now open to every member of our Martin County chapter. Whether you are a long-standing leader or a brand-new member looking to get involved, the Academy offers a tailored curriculum designed to help chapters thrive.
What you’ll find inside:
- Customized Learning Pathways: Training specific to your role and experience level.
- Ready-to-Use Resources: A library of printable and editable templates to streamline our local efforts.
- Leadership Development: Tools to help you grow as a community advocate and philanthropist.
Get Started Today!
You can create your account and explore the courses at:
impact100global.org/courses/
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Let’s expand our reach and continue creating lasting change—together.
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