Dear Impact100 DC Members,

“How do we meet the moment?” It’s a question that is often on my mind these days, and one that I had the opportunity to explore more deeply at the Philanos PowerUp! Conference in Austin, Texas earlier this month.  

Philanos is a national network of women’s collective giving organizations, providing a platform for collaboration, learning, and sharing best practices. The conference brought together nearly 300 collective giving leaders from around the country, all focused on how we can continue to expand and amplify our impact and strengthen our communities.  

Here are a few of the many insights that have stayed with me:

We are part of a very powerful movement! There’s been explosive growth of collective giving organizations over the past decade. Research by the Dorothy A. Johnson Center, in partnership with Philanthropy Together, documented over 4,000 active organizations in 2023, which was triple the number in 2017. In 2023, collective giving communities donated an astonishing $3.1 billion. Women-only giving circles represented 60% of all collective giving, reflecting a significant shift in who is making philanthropic decisions.

Collective giving is a catalyst for deeper social cohesion and civic engagement. Think about it: collective giving organizations practice “small d” democracy every day. We work together, decide together, and lead together to create change and care for our communities. Through this work, we build the experience and trust that inspires us to participate more fully in other areas of civic life.

We must “protect joy.” This final point, shared by Sara Lomelin, CEO of Philanthropy Together, may be the most important of all. Over the past year, nonprofit organizations across the country have faced unprecedented budget cuts, loss of jobs, and public criticism. While these issues can sometimes feel overwhelming, Sara urged us to remember that giving is inherently joyful. Through collective giving and our work together, we invite each other to share in this joy.

Thank you to all our Impact100 DC members for the energy, commitment and, yes, the joy you bring to our collective work!

All my best,

Francine

President, Impact100 DC

Connecting with Our New Members

Our New Member Coffees in January and February were a great way to connect. Over 40 new members participated in the gatherings. It was a pleasure to meet so many of you and to share more about our plans for the year ahead. We love your energy and enthusiasm!

If you have additional ideas or questions – or if you weren’t able to attend a coffee but would like to share your thoughts – please email Francine.

Meet our 2026 Fellows!

We have 17 wonderful Impact100 DC fellows this year, which is a record number. They are collectively participating on all of our grant review committees and already contributing in meaningful ways.

The 10 first-year fellows have been designated as Bonnie Harkness Fellows. Bonnie was a founding member who passed away suddenly last year, and her family generously asked that contributions in her memory go to Impact100 DC. The fellowship program depends on donations like these from members and friends of Impact.

You can learn more about our fellows here.

Grant Cycle Update

The 2026 grant review process is well underway! After receiving a new record high number of applications, our Focus Area Committees (FAC) – with 126 members participating – began their work in late January, 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 20. We extend a huge thank you to our FAC members for their time and dedication to this important work! 

Impact100 DC Grantee Updates

Since the Impact grant was awarded in June 2025, Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop strengthened their innovative and comprehensive pre- and post-release educational services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and adults in Washington, DC. Grant funds were used to support the Jail, Prison, and Reentry Book Clubs, and "On the Same Page,” the community engagement and peacebuilding program. Opportunities to engage directly with authors and guest speakers provide meaningful validation for members and reinforce the power of reading and writing as tools for healing and reflection.

Since receiving the Impact100 DC Impact grant in June 2025, Free Minds served: 

• 310 members at the DC Jail and juvenile detention centers through specialized book clubs for youth, women, men, and Spanish-speaking participants.
• 840 members incarcerated in federal prisons, providing consistent access to books, writing opportunities, and connection to a broader learning community. 
• 402 formerly incarcerated members through a comprehensive reentry support model that includes individualized case management, job placement assistance, leadership development, advocacy opportunities, professional development training, trauma-informed therapy, and peer-to-peer support.

Thank you to our sponsors!