May 2026 Newsletter Content

Dear Impact100 Martin Members,

Our Grant Awards Celebration on April 16 was truly one of my favorite days. We welcomed a record number of members, both in person and via livestream, and were honored to host visitors from one of the newest Impact100 chapters in Southern Connecticut. Community leaders from the Children’s Services Council, Hobe Sound Community Chest, The Community Foundation Martin–St. Lucie, and United Way of Martin County joined us for this special event.

We heard powerful presentations from seven outstanding nonprofits serving Martin County. Each organization walked away with meaningful funding to enhance the important work they do in our community. Our founder, Nancy Wong, once again inspired us with her words of encouragement and wisdom. As we reflect on how far we have come in nine years, it is clear that Impact100 Martin continues to grow in both strength and impact.

In early May, we gathered at The Community Foundation Martin–St. Lucie to sign contracts with the nonprofits receiving a $100,000 Impact Grant. We look forward to sharing their progress and inviting you to upcoming See Your Impact events.

Season 10 is underway, and we have an exciting summer ahead. The Board will participate in a strategic planning session and elect officers for the coming year. We will focus on reaching our goal of 600 members, share the results of our recent Member Survey, and continue planning to host the International Day of Impact livestream from Stuart on November 5, 2026, featuring Impact100 founder Wendy Steele as keynote speaker. We are also pleased to have joined the Martin County Interagency Council to strengthen our relationships with local nonprofits.

Behind the scenes, members of the Grants Committee are working to ensure we are reaching all eligible nonprofits, further expanding our impact across the community.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated Board members. Their commitment and hard work make everything we do possible.

As I enter my final year serving as your President, I am grateful for your passion and dedication to Impact100 Martin and to our community.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful summer.

President, Impact100 Martin

Our 2025 Impact Grant recipients continue to make meaningful progress, with strong outcomes reported in their third quarter updates.

Friends of the Everglades has brought its Everglades Edudome Experience to life across Martin County, reaching more than 1,800 students in 89 classrooms. The immersive program has received enthusiastic feedback from both students and educators, with many calling it a highlight of the school year.

Project LIFT is building pathways to employment for local residents, with 12 students earning certifications this quarter and more scheduled to complete soon. Graduates are already securing full-time positions, demonstrating the program’s impact in preparing a skilled workforce for Martin County.

SafeSpace has enhanced safety and stability for survivors through critical security and facility upgrades. These improvements have contributed to a 75% reduction in incidents and have expanded the organization’s ability to support participants in crisis situations.

The Banner Lake Club continues to strengthen community connections by providing reliable transportation services. This quarter alone, 26 trips were facilitated for 36 seniors and adults, improving access to healthcare, essential services, and social opportunities.

House of Hope repurposed 812 pounds of food this quarter and distributed 547 packages of freeze-dried foods and snacks to pantry clients. Since the start of the program, 1,872 preserved food packages have been distributed through House of Hope pantries across Martin County. The organization is also preparing to launch internship opportunities and future public workshops focused on food preservation and sustainability.

Together, these projects reflect the power of collective giving in action, creating real, measurable impact across our community.

Congratulations to the 2026 Impact100 Martin Grant Recipients!

What a night! Impact100 Martin members and guests filled Temple Beit HaYam on April 16 for our 9^th Annual Grant Awards Celebration — and the energy in the room was absolutely electric. The turnout was tremendous, a true reflection of the heart and commitment this community brings to everything we do. Seven remarkable finalists took the stage to share their visions for Martin County, delivering presentations that were as moving as they were inspiring.

After the votes were tallied, five extraordinary organizations walked away with $100,000 Impact Grants for 2026:

• CareBag Mobile Shower Unit – Martin County CareBag
• Hope in Motion – Hope Center for Autism
• Kiwanis Park at Woodlawn: "Music in the Park" and ADA Swing Project – Kiwanis Club of Stuart
• Purchase of New Digital Ray Machine for Veterinary Clinic – Humane Society of the Treasure Coast
• River Scout II: A New Voyage – Environmental Studies Council        

Merit Award Recipients

Two additional finalists were honored as Merit Recipients, each receiving $36,000:

• NextGen Veterinary Clinical Simulation and Skills Lab Project – Education Foundation of Martin County 
• Wildlab on Wheels – Hobe Sound Nature Center

Congratulations to each and every recipient — your passion, perseverance, and commitment to this community is nothing short of extraordinary.

A Year of Milestones Worth Celebrating

This celebration was about so much more than one evening. It was a chance to step back and appreciate just how far we've come together:

• A record-breaking membership of 572 strong
• Five $100,000 transformational Grants and two $36,000 Merit Grants awarded
• $2.9 million in cumulative grants to local nonprofits since 2017
• Record attendance at the Grants Awards Celebration
• Record number of members who reviewed the finalists' projects
• Record number of members who cast their votes

None of this happens without you. The passion and generosity of Impact100 Martin members — and the unwavering dedication of our nonprofit partners — is what makes Martin County a place that lifts people up, protects the environment, champions well-being, and celebrates education and the arts. We are so proud of what we've built together.

A Few Well-Deserved Thank-Yous

To the Grants Committee: the care and rigor you bring to this process gives every member confidence that each finalist on that stage has truly earned their place. Thank you.

To every member and guest who joined us on April 16: you made this evening unforgettable. This is what collective giving looks like in action — and it is beautiful.

"Impact100 is built on the idea that women coming together can create meaningful change. It is exciting to see that spirit alive and growing here in Martin County. Every member takes her vote very seriously, knowing that we are impacting the quality of life for today and for the future." — Sue Whittington, President, Impact100 Martin

Click to Watch Replay of the Awards

View All Grant Award Celebration Photos Here

Want to support the finalists?

Check out their wish lists to learn how you can help.

Environmental Studies Center

CareBag

Education Foundation of Martin County

Hobe Sound Nature Center

Humane Society

Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital

Kiwanis – Children’s books in good condition

2026 Impact Grant Award Recipients - Contracts Are Signed!

What an exciting time for Impact100 Martin. The Grant Awards Celebration marked the culmination of months of dedicated work by the Grants Committee. Members were presented with an outstanding slate of finalists, and every vote played a meaningful role in selecting the Season 9 Impact Grant recipients.

On April 27, contracts were signed and funds were distributed according to each agreement, officially launching the next phase of these transformational projects in our community.

Welcome to Our New Impact Members!

Please join us in welcoming the following new members to Impact100 Martin! We are thrilled to have these dynamic women join our collective giving community and help create positive, lasting change throughout Martin County.

Thank You for Referring New Members

We also extend a special thank you to the members who helped grow Impact100 Martin by referring new members this month. Your enthusiasm and personal outreach continue to strengthen our organization and expand the Impact we can make together.

Cynthia Clough

Kirsten Knowles

Jane Coutts

Amy Brunjes

Kathy Miller

Lucille Pelletier

Tiffany Owen

Heidi Alderman

Lorraine Bradley

Sarah Murphy

Looking Ahead to Season 10

The Membership Committee will be spending the summer months reviewing, refining, and resetting our plans as we prepare for a successful Season 10. Our goal is to reach 600 members so that, in celebration of our 10th anniversary year, we can award six $100,000 Impact Grants!

How can you help? We would love for you to get involved by joining the Membership Committee, hosting a Meet & Mingle, or simply sharing the story of Impact100 Martin with a friend. Personal connections remain one of the most meaningful ways we continue to grow our collective giving community.

The Membership Committee is currently seeking volunteers to assist with:

• The new member experience, as we typically welcome 130–150 new members each year
• Our Scholarship Subcommittee
• Community Captain opportunities for Yacht & Country Club and portions of South Martin County

Our dedicated Community Captains are the key to our continued growth and engagement. These volunteers help connect members to Impact100 Martin events, Meet & Mingles, impactful discussions, and social activities throughout the year. With 16 communities across Martin County, several of which are quite large, there are many opportunities to become more involved. If you live in one of these larger communities and would be interested in helping lead a smaller neighborhood group, we would love to connect with you.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please text (678) 231-6511.

New This Year

All Season 9 members will receive two renewal reminder emails this year, approximately 60 days and 30 days prior to their renewal date. Be on the lookout for yours!

Your Membership Co-Chairs,

Judy Zanchi, Sarah Murphy and Kallie Jurgens

Celebrate 25 Years of Impact100 — You’re Invited!

Impact100 Global is hosting a special virtual 25th Anniversary Celebration on June 23 at 3:00 PM ET. As a member of our chapter, you’re an important part of this milestone and invited to join for this special occasion.

This event will highlight the stories, women, and collective giving that have shaped the Impact100 movement over the past 25 years, including the impact created right here in our community.

As part of the program, Impact100 Global is inviting all members to share a quick anniversary wish for Impact100 and our next 25 years together!

Register today and celebrate the movement you help power every year.

Link to register: Impact100 25th Anniversary Event - Impact100 Global 

Link to submit your wish for Impact100: Share Anniversary Wishes Here 

Yvonne Orr

Friendliness is a profound virtue that is a hallmark of the membership of Impact100 Martin, and our spotlight this month is on a woman whose whole demeanor exudes this trait. While Yvonne Orr has been a part of our group for only a couple of years, she has already hosted a Meet & Mingle – with twenty-five in attendance and six who joined immediately - and she plans on hosting another during our celebration year. It is no wonder, therefore, that she has been made a member of both the Membership and Grants Committees. Jenny Guerin may have introduced Yvonne to our organization, but Judy Zanchi and Sarah Murphy quickly realized the treasure this new member was.

Yvonne comes by her friendliness through a career in helping people. She worked with her husband at Douglas Orr Plumbing in Miami Springs, FL for many years. They raised five children in a blended family that surely brought more skills than just friendliness into play. The company is still going strong after 52 years, with some of the kids, along with other long-time employees, at the helm. 

Yvonne was elected to the city council of Miami Springs for two terms and helped the council negotiate the purchase of a golf and country club. At that time, she instituted a campaign to sell engraved bricks for a clubhouse walkway and raised an additional $25,000 for improvements.

Playing Mah Jongg, gardening, canning, walking and gym workouts take up a lot of Yvonne’s leisure time, but she draws people to herself in all her activities and we are fortunate to have her contribute her skills to our mission. 

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: Your Gateway to Impact100 Martin Member Orientation

Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 5:00pm–6:00pm

Virtual Event - A link will be provided to registered attendees.

Social Hour at the Pearl

Thursday, May 28, 2026, 4:00pm–6:00pm

The Pearl, Stuart

Welcome Circle: Your Gateway to Impact100 Martin Member Orientation

Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 6:30 pm - 7:30 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

Social Hour at the Pearl

Thursday, August 27, 2026, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The Pearl, Stuart

New this season: 

Help us capture every angle!

Each event now has its own shared photo gallery. 

Check your event reminder email for the unique upload link to share your photos and see everyone else’s!

"Par-Tee" Golf Outing

Piper’s Landing Yacht & Country Club hosted the 5^th annual Impact100 Martin golf outing on May 7^th, with Piper’s members Lois Acinapura and Nancy Wong co-chairing the event. Forty-seven Impact members and seven guests played in a fun 18-hole step aside scramble tournament followed by a festive buffet lunch with salad and tacos stations. Prizes were awarded to teams with the four lowest net scores, as well as to individual players with balls closest to the line or pin on select holes.  

In addition to the golf, there was also an Impact Trivia contest with 18 questions about Impact Global and Impact Martin. The team with the highest number of correct answers (15 out of 18) received an additional handicap stroke which did help the team of Mary Ann Boone, Karen Tobman, Sue Whittington and Amy Brunjes win fourth place low net.

The closest to the pin prizes went to Carol Lauer and Sarah Murphy; and the closest to the line prizes went to Gerda Fletcher and Ann Grace.

Overall Winner with lowest net score:

Sarah Murphy, Judy Zanchi, Helene Young and Pattie Dunn

Second low net score:

Lisa Goodmaster, Suzanne Olstein, Nancy Blick and Rosilynn Barone

Third low net Score: Joanne Zimski, Suzi Romanik, Nancy Wong and Rosalia Kung

Impact members commented on how much they enjoyed playing on a beautiful golf course on a bright sunny day and especially having the chance to meet, play and socialize with other Impact members who believe in women creating change through collective giving.

Lois and Nancy,

Thank you both so much for co-hosting another fantastic day with the wonderful ladies of Impact100 Martin. Your hospitality, kindness, and attention to detail made the golf outing truly special.

View Photos Here

Season 9 New Member Appreciation Reception: A Heartfelt Recap

Our Impact100 Martin community recently gathered for a beautiful New Member Appreciation Reception, graciously hosted by Heidi Alderman at her home in Willoughby. The evening celebrated our growing membership and the incredible momentum of Season 9.

Guests were welcomed with golf cart shuttles and an inviting atmosphere that made it easy to connect. The Meet Someone Bingo mixer was a highlight, sparking conversation, laughter, and new friendships across the lanai.

We extend our sincere thanks to Jacqui Costanzo and Heidi, members of the Membership Committee, for creating such a warm and welcoming experience for the second year in a row. Their thoughtful planning continues to make a lasting impression on our newest members.

President Sue Whittington shared an inspiring message, highlighting the vision of Impact100 Martin and encouraging members to get involved in committees and deepen their engagement.

The evening also marked an exciting milestone. Thanks to the dedication of our Membership Committee and Community Captains, Impact100 Martin has reached 576 members this season.

Thank you for being part of this remarkable year!

All Photos Can Be Viewed Here

At Impact100 Martin, we see firsthand how powerful collective giving can be — but sometimes the most meaningful stories are the ones that need to be seen as well as heard.

We are looking for talented volunteer videographers to help us produce short, compelling videos that highlight the impact of our funded projects throughout the community. These brief features will showcase the organizations we support, the lives being changed, and the ripple effect created when women come together to give with purpose.

If you (or someone you know) have experience in videography, filming, editing, or storytelling through video, we would love your help. Your skills can help bring our mission to life in a dynamic and lasting way.

Interested? Please reach out to Kim Rosen, kimberlyrosen1@gmail.com to learn more.

Let’s capture the impact — and share the story. 

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/

Help us grow our Impact100 Martin network!

Follow us, like our posts, and invite your friends to join in. Every connection helps spread the word about the incredible impact we’re making together.

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    Let’s expand our reach and continue creating lasting change—together.

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2740 SW Martin Downs Blvd. #40

Palm City, FL 34990

info@impact100martin.org

(772) 245-7770