| It started as an idea prompted by a magazine
article. It turned into a journey that has been filled with blessings
and promises of more to come. The concept for IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay
Area began for our group well over a year ago. An idea to recruit a
minimum of 100 women who would each give $1,000 so that collectively we
could pool our resources and give $100,000 to a community need. Simple
concept – huge reward. At a time when resources for charitable
initiatives appear to be declining, it seemed like the perfect time to
seek another way to meet those needs.
Fourteen women agreed to serve on the founding board
and the work began. In order to give our money to a non-profit, we had
to become one. The bylaws and articles of incorporation had to be
written, policy decisions had to be made, and members had to be
recruited. There was a lot of hard work involved but none of us could
have ever imagined the response. Over 200 women wanted to be a part of
our efforts. We all wanted to make an impact in our community. Thank
you to those who have agreed to be a part of our journey.
There are a lot of questions about the success of
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. How did you do it? What do you think led
to the success? We believe many factors contributed to the response and
we hope to better understand our members’ motivations in the months
ahead. Maybe it was the idea that collectively we could make a
significant impact, or the fact that IMPACT members have a direct say
in where their money is allocated. It could also be the idea that
IMPACT members decide their level of involvement. It does seem clear,
however, that all of our members wanted their financial giving to make
a difference in the lives of others. This gift will certainly have an
impact and most definitely will meet a need.
We also wanted IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area to be
about a better understanding of our community. Our organization will
give non-profits an opportunity to tell us about their needs while
applying for help. Even if we don’t fund their project, they have
informed a group of individuals interested in charitable giving about
their organization. They may not get this money but it’s still a
win-win for all of us. We encourage our members to get involved in the
organizations they’ve learned about and want to support. Hopefully, our
members will become active supporters of those non-profits, serving on
their boards and giving directly to their organizations. We believe
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area can set an example of effective
philanthropy. We’ll give our grants but we’ll also give non-profits a
better informed community.
How will IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area choose who
will receive its grant? We have identified five focus areas: arts &
culture, education, environment, health & wellness, and family.
Proposals to these committees will be evaluated. After research, site
visits, and other necessary due diligence, each committee will narrow
its choice to deserving finalists. Those finalists will make a
presentation at our annual membership meeting and the members will
vote. Because in 2005 we had 250 members, we awarded $250,000 (two
grants at $125,000 each - the amount of the 2006 grants has not yet
been determined).
We realize there are a lot of needs and a number of
worthy non-profits trying to create a better quality of life. We have
no idea how many groups will apply for our grants or who will receive
the money. IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area members have simply said “I
want to learn more and I want to be a part of making a difference in
the lives of others.”
At the opening of our recruitment sessions I read a
quote by Simone de Beauvoir, “One’s life has value so long as one
attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship,
indignation, and compassion.”
Our group set off on a journey to change
the lives of others. I have no doubt that we will accomplish our goal.
Perhaps what we didn’t expect was that our own lives would be so
changed from the experience. Friendships have been established,
knowledge has been garnered, and our lives have been blessed by the
compassion and desire of others to make a difference. If it feels this
good now, imagine how we’ll feel when the journey is complete and lives
really are made better because of our collective efforts.
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