Impact100 Martin - September 2026 Newsletter

September 2026 Newsletter Content

President's Letter

Impact365

Grants Update

See Your Impact Events

Annual Kickoff

Membership Update

Member Spotlight

Upcoming Events

Thank You Sponsors

Dear Impact100 Martin Members,

Our 10th Anniversary Kickoff is here, and what an exciting moment for Impact100 Martin! Ten years of women coming together, ten years of transformational grants and ten years of community impact, all made possible by members like you.

As we grow into our next decade, we’re asking members to help us widen our circle of sponsors. If you’re connected to a business that would benefit from visibility among a powerhouse group of women, we’d love your help making that connection. All of our sponsorship information can be found on our website.

There are also so many ways to be part of the momentum this season. You can host a Meet & Mingle, join a committee, bring a “plus one” to an Impact100 gathering or lend a hand at an event. We’re also introducing something new this year: Impact365, a voluntary giving opportunity that helps strengthen the foundation of Impact100 Martin. You can read more about this exciting new initiative in this newsletter.

Our annual grants process is also officially open! This is the time when nonprofits across Martin County begin shaping bold, innovative proposals with the potential to change lives. Your engagement, connections and voice help us reach organizations that are ready to dream big and deliver meaningful impact.

And please remember, our membership is completely guilt-free. Whether you’re deeply involved, prefer to participate from afar or simply want to make your annual contribution, your presence strengthens our collective giving and our mission. Every member is valued and appreciated.

Thank you for being part of this milestone year and for helping us amplify the impact of women throughout Martin County. I’m so excited for all that Season 10 will bring.

Warmly,

President, Impact100 Martin

Introducing Impact365

Impact365 is a voluntary giving opportunity for members who want to strengthen the foundation of Impact100 Martin by contributing $365 a year — just one dollar a day! — toward essential operating costs.

This year-round commitment gives members another way to support the behind-the-scenes work that helps make our transformational grants possible.

Members who join Impact365 will receive a distinctive Impact365 lapel pin, featuring the number 365 centered inside our flowering sea star, symbolizing their year-round dedication to sustaining our mission.

Impact365 supporters will also be recognized at Impact100 Martin events in appreciation of the important role they play in strengthening our collective impact throughout the year.

Interested in becoming part of Impact365? Our website link will be available soon, but members can join at any time by contacting administration@impact100martin.org or by selecting the Impact365 option on the membership form.

Grants Committee News

Season 10 Grants Season Is Underway!

Our Season 10 Grants Season is off to an exciting start! The August 4 Grants Workshop, led by The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie, brought together 54 nonprofit organizations and 67 attendees, demonstrating strong engagement and interest from across our community.

With the Letter of Intent (LOI) application now open to all eligible nonprofit organizations, we are building on that momentum and looking forward to another year of meaningful, measurable impact in Martin County.

Kiwanis Park Harmony Highway Project

Exciting progress continues on the Kiwanis Park Harmony Highway project. Take a look at the latest photos for a glimpse of the project coming to life and the impact of our grant funding in action.

With gratitude,

Samia Ferraro and Karen Homer

Season 10 Grant Co-Chairs

Season 10 See Your Impact! Events

Join us to take a peek inside the impact being made by the programs and projects of our Season 9 Grant Recipients

Thursday, November 12, 2026, 10:00 - 11:00am

Hope in Motion

The best way to see your Impact is to tour the bus that will take Hope Center for Autism students into the community.

Hope Center for Autism, 500 Indian Street, Stuart

Friday, December 11, 2026, 11am - Noon

CareBag Mobile Shower Unit

Gain insight into the importance of the new Shower Unit, which helps bridge the gap to other supportive resources for our unhoused neighbors in Martin County.

CareBag Inc. at First United Methodist Church of Stuart,1500 South Kanner Highway

Monday, January 11, 2027, 10:00 - 11:00am

“Music in the Park" and ADA Swing Project

Walk Kiwanis Park at Woodlawn to see the installation of the turf under the swing set and musical instruments on Harmony Highway

This will be outside; wear comfortable shoes and attire.

Kiwanis Youth Park at Woodlawn, 451 South Colorado Ave, Stuart

Thursday, February 18, 2027, 11:00am – 12pm

Veterinary Clinic: New Digital X-Ray Machine

Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour and a chance to see the new on-site digital X-ray room and learn firsthand how your support has transformed shelter operations, improved veterinary care, and expanded the shelter’s ability to serve pets in our community.

Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, 4100 SW Leighton Farm Ave., Palm City

Tuesday, March 2, 2027, 1:30pm – 2:15pm

River Scout II: A New Voyage Indian River Lagoon Experience

What an opportunity to learn through observation and experience, just as students do at the Environmental Studies Center (ESC). During this 45-minute boat tour of the Indian River Lagoon, members will experience the lagoon firsthand while learning about its unique ecosystem, wildlife, and the importance of protecting our local coastal environment. There may also be an opportunity to tour the ESC and see how students engage in hands-on environmental education. Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended for the boat ride.

Jensen Beach Public Dock, just north of the US Sailing Center at 1955 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach

Help Us Reach 600 Members for Season 10!

Welcome, New Members!

We are now 87 members strong and on our way to 600 members for Season 10! Thank you to everyone who has already joined or renewed and is helping us build another incredible season of collective giving.

Please join us in welcoming our newest Impact members:

Theresa Dolan – Harbour Ridge

Nicola Zanchi – Harbour Ridge

Suzanne Shields – Stuart

And a special thank you to these members for their referrals:

Samia Ferraro, Sarah Murphy, Catherine Turley and Judy Zanchi

Every referral helps grow our Impact100 Martin community and brings us one step closer to our Season 10 goal!

Our Communities Are Growing!

This year, Impact100 Martin will have 18 Communities throughout the Martin County area. Each member is assigned to a Community, and every Community has a dedicated Community Captain who helps RECRUIT, RENEW and ENGAGE the women in her area.

To kick off Season 10, we are bringing our Community Captains and members of the Membership Team together for our:

Community Captain Kickoff

Tuesday, October 6 | 4:30–6 p.m.

Bayview Clubhouse at Indian River Plantation

5700 NE Island Cove Way

Stuart, FL 34996

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Judy Zanchi at 678-231-6511.

Welcome Circle Update

Kallie Jurgens and the Welcome Circle Committee have been busy this summer making sure our 17 new members receive a warm and meaningful introduction to Impact100 Martin.

Each new member receives a personal welcome call thanking her for joining this dynamic group, along with an email introducing her Community Captain. New members can also look forward to receiving a New Member Bag, complete with their name tag, delivered by their Community Captain. They are also encouraged to attend a Welcome Circle Member Orientation on Zoom, where they can learn more about Impact100 Martin and connect with fellow members.

New member and still waiting for your welcome bag or name tag? Please contact Kallie by phone or text at 772-678-1922 so we can make sure you receive it!

The next Welcome Circle Orientation will be:

Tuesday, October 20 | 5–6 p.m.

Members can register to attend on our website or through their member portal. A link to the virtual event will be emailed to registered attendees one day prior to the Orientation.

New Members, Mark Your Calendars!

Join us for an in-person Welcome Circle Orientation on:

Wednesday, November 18 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

The Orientation will be held at the Palm City home of Sue Whittington, Impact100 Martin President.

Register to attend on our website or through the member portal. The address will be provided in the reminder email sent to all registered attendees.

Scholarship Committee Update

The Scholarship Committee, led by Michelle Katzman, is hard at work making refinements to the program and preparing for Season 10.

Current priorities include:

Ensuring our 14 Season 9 Scholarship recipients remain involved and fulfill the volunteer requirements of the program.
Following up with Scholarship Program donors about renewing their support for Season 10.
Developing a plan to reach Season 10 scholarship applicants and donors and promote Gifted Memberships.

Would you like to help? The Scholarship Committee would love to have you! Contact Michelle Katzman at mkatzman@bellsouth.net to get involved.

Scholarships Available!

Scholarships are available! If you know a woman who would benefit from an Impact100 Martin membership but may not otherwise be able to join, please help us spread the word by sharing our Scholarship Program.

JOIN OR RENEW NOW!

If you haven’t joined or renewed for Season 10 yet, now is the perfect time! Help us reach our goal of 600 members and continue growing our community of women creating positive, lasting change through collective giving.

And don’t forget to invite a friend, neighbor or colleague to join you. Every new member means more grant dollars available to support transformational projects right here in our community.

Join or Renew Your Membership Here

Missi Cambell

One of Impact100 Martin’s greatest assets is members who have close ties to the community. Our philanthropic endeavors thereby become less complicated, more straightforward, and easier to accomplish. New board member, Missi Campbell, exemplifies this advantage. She has lived in Martin County since 1974, was a kindergarten teacher for 34 years, and, after she retired, served as the Executive Director of the Palm City Chamber of Commerce for five years. She knows just about everyone and can find out whatever we need to know.

Arati Hammond, one of our chapter’s founding members, introduced Missi to our organization, and she was immediately interested. She had become aware of how very many worthwhile charities we have in our area both during her career and particularly in her work at the Chamber. When she saw what a huge difference our combined giving made, she wanted to be a part of it. She became a community co-captain for the “Business Professionals of Impact” and has been involved for about five years.

This year, Missi agreed to become Co-Chair of the Events Committee (with Beth Lonnes), and she helped secure the venue at Indian River Community College for our 10th year celebration. When not immersed in Impact100 activities, she volunteers at the Children’s Museum, the Boys and Girls Club, and has been involved since its beginning with the Brianna Cooper Heavenly Smiles Foundation (which assists families who experience unexpected loss).

She spends her leisure time either with her children and grandchildren or traveling the world with her significant other, Tim. We are immensely grateful that she has found the time to help us!

Featured Event: Season 10 Nature Club in Old Palm City

Join us Friday, October 16, 2026, for an informative guided tour of the Ripple Stormwater Eco-Art Project in the Old Palm City Community Redevelopment Area. This site blends science and engineering with nature-based interactive art created by regional Artist Lucy Keshavarz. Come discover how thoughtful stormwater planning can protect Florida's waterways while creating attractive community spaces.

Jordan Pastorious, from Martin County Community Development, and Samantha Smith, Horticulturist with Martin County Public Works, will lead a walking tour showcasing successful stormwater management solutions that are both highly functional and beautiful community amenities. The presentation and guided tour will last approximately two hours.

Meet in the Charlie Leighton Park parking lot at 8:30 am The park is situated at the base of the Palm City Bridge along the St. Lucie River. Afterward, we can drive less than a mile away on Mapp Road and continue to chat and share a mid-morning cup of coffee at Sorelle Coffee Co., a highly rated mobile coffee trailer, run by the 3 Bartin sisters, known for outstanding hospitality, great coffee, tea, and baked goods. With shaded seating areas, Sorelle is about connection and friendship.