ImpImpact Connection

March 2022

Welcome to this month's Impact Connection filled with upcoming events, grant information, and updates surrounding the nonprofits, organizations, and leaders making a difference in our community!

The I100 MD

Book Club is Back!

The Impact100 Metro Detroit Book Club returns for 2022 with a few changes that promise to make one of our most popular events even better! Here's what you need to know:

This months's book is Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
There will be only two discussions - one in person and one virtual, you decide how you want to participate (you can even do both!)
Live discussion - April 9, 9:30 am, Location TBA
Zoom Meeting - April 12, 2022, 7 pm
Click the book to register

Thank You, Grant Review Committees!

This is our busiest time of year at I100 MD. Over the past weeks, our grant review committees have been hard at work reading proposals and scoring them according to our guidelines in order to bring the most impactful grants forward. The top organizations have now moved to the financial review phase. Once this is completed, volunteers will make site visits to the organizations, and finalists will be chosen.

We want to take a moment to thank our Grant Review Committee Chairs, our Focus Area Chairs, and the 114 Impact100 MD members who volunteered this year. It is because of their hard work that we have consistently brought forward amazing grantees and finalists who have created lasting change in our community.

Nonprofit News and Events

The Lawn Academy is looking for volunteers to help with phone calls to their senior or disabled clients. As you know, TLA sends student volunteers to cut lawns for those who are unable to maintain their yards on their own. Volunteers will follow a script to set up services for the summer. The scripts contain key communications, as TLA wants their clients to know they are loved. Volunteers will receive 10 names each week. Calls can be made anytime before 6 pm, so scheduling is flexible. Please call TLA to volunteer: (888)380-5618. For more volunteer opportunities, click below.

The Lawn Academy

The Flagstar Strand Theater

12 N. Saginaw, Pontiac

March 16, 2022 5:30 pm

Accent Pontiac is proud to present its Winter Showcase featuring Accent Pontiac student musicians. The event is free, and refreshments will be served. Show your support for our 2021 finalist award winner, and enjoy some wonderful music. No ticket or registration required.

Accent Pontiac students also performed at 2020 grantee Micah 6 Community's First Ever Gala on February 25th. We love it when our nonprofit heroes join forces to increase their impact! Click the photo below to listen to the AP Drum Line perform at the gala.

Helping the Helpers

We are taking some time in 2022 to reconnect with our past grantees and finalists, and offer our continued support. Read on for more from our 2017 awardee the Downtown Boxing Gym, and finalists Disability Network of Oakland and Macomb and Wolverine Human Services Core Orchards Detroit.

In 2017, the DBG received $100,000 to implement their Books Before Boxing literacy program. Since then, they have instituted many more educational projects, from STEM initiatives to vocational and art and music programs, DBG students leave the program well prepared for the future. The DBG can still use help! You can make a difference by volunteering as a tutor/mentor. Students receive daily academic support and help with homework, studying, and project work. The DBG is looking for volunteers to tutor students in all subjects. Tutors are needed Monday through Friday, from 4:30pm until 6:30pm. They ask that you commit to at least one day per week. Consistency and stability are very important for students’ success.

Volunteer for the DBG

Finalist Wolverine Human Services Core Orchards Detroit had a vision for a "you pick" apple orchard in the heart of the city. Their main goals were to fight blight, bring life into the community, and provide jobs to local residents. Since 2018, the trees have been planted and the orchard is fully operational. They also use the site to distribute food to those in need in a partnership with Forgotten Harvest. You can help with food distribution or volunteer in the orchard.

Volunteer

After finishing as a finalist in 2017 for their REC-IT (recreational transportation) program, Disability Network of Oakland and Macomb Counties has continued to provide vital services to the disabled community in our region. Now known as Disability Network Eastern Michigan, they promote inclusion by breaking down barriers and opening paths toward independence and personal choice through resources, advocacy, support and education.

Learn More

Would you like to hear more from the people who work hard for our community?

For the past year or so we've been interviewing nonprofit heroes to learn about the work they do. Give us a listen! Want to get involved? We need members to help coordinate the podcasts and also to help with social media on our Marketing Team. Click HERE to listen to the podcast. Use the button below to email us if you'd like to join our podcast team.

I Want To Help

I100 MD is a Proud Member of the Following Organizations

impact100metrodetroit.org