Empowering Change, One Grant at a Time
By Celeste Campos
In the heart of New Jersey, a transformative force is at work: Impact100 Garden State. This all-woman, all-volunteer philanthropic powerhouse channels the collective strength of local women to bring about meaningful change.
Founded on the simple yet powerful idea that women, by pooling their resources, can make a significant impact on their community, Impact100 Garden State has awarded more than $3 million in grants to northern New Jersey nonprofits since 2013.
“Each member contributes $1,000 annually,” explains Impact100 Garden State President Debby Seme, a Martinsville resident. “These individual contributions are then combined to create high-impact grants for nonprofits that are making a difference in their community.” The organization’s service area includes Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties.
Three nonprofits working within Somerset County have been recipients of major grants: Frontline Arts, Middle Earth, and Norwescap.
Frontline Arts engaged 400 veterans in their therapeutic art program, which was exhibited with over 1,000 visitors able to view the art projects that were the outcome of this grant. Middle Earth for Big Dan’s Bike Shop implemented an innovative program aimed at teaching bicycle mechanics, business operations, and employment-related skills to at-risk youth. The program was conducted in partnership with Raritan Valley Community College’s Enactus Club. Twenty-one at-risk youth completed the project training.
Norwescap extended programming to women who lost employment or were low-income and seeking more gainful employment to support their families. The Impact100 Garden State grant enabled 75 women to successfully complete the program while also supporting Somerset County’s underserved Hispanic population. Thanks to our grant Norwescap has been able to get additional funding so that the program continues to help women become self-sufficient.
Merit grants were given to Adult Day Care of Somerset County, Bonnie Brae, and Community in Crisis.
Connecting Women, Changing Lives
The grants channel funds to organizations addressing the needs of underserved populations in the areas of Arts & Culture, Children & Families, Education, Environment, Preservation & Recreation, and Health & Wellness.
“The beauty of Impact100 Garden State lies not only in its financial impact but also in the democratic process that guides its grant-making,” Seme explains. Through a rigorous grant review process, members evaluate proposals, conduct site visits, and engage in thoughtful discussions to select the finalists. Major grant recipients are selected by a vote of the entire membership.
Since its founding in 2013 with 135 charter members, Impact100 Garden State has grown consistently each year. For 2023, the organization achieved a record high of 375 members and distributed $375,000 in grants to nonprofits.
“Our experience shows that a group of women working together can change the world and have fun doing it,” says Seme. “Working with some of the most incredible women on the planet, women who are smart and caring and fun, I have been able to witness firsthand the impact that collective giving can have. We empower women to become significant givers and philanthropists in their communities.”
Impact100 Garden State will hold its “Big Reveal” event, which announces the 2024 membership and the amount of this year’s grant pool, on Thursday, March 7. Women who are interested in attending this event or learning more about Impact100 Garden State can write to member@impact100gardenstate.org. Celeste is the Vice President of Impact100 Garden State and a Warren resident.
