From our President: ...We all know that a thermometer reads the conditions of the room, while a thermostat reacts to the conditions around it. And, quite frankly, we need both. When it comes to philanthropy, and how you want to contribute to the long-term goals of an organization, do you find yourself more commonly setting your own tone for the contribution, or reacting to others around you? In Impact100 you have the opportunity to do both. Each of our members has seen the need for collective local giving and has committed the funds to make it happen (thermometers). And several of our members have volunteered to serve on Focus Groups to determine the best of the best of our applicants (thermostats). Impact100 Focus Groups vet the applications of local nonprofits who are vying for our $100,000 grants and residual grants. The women who make up these groups analyze the applications for characteristics such as viability, sustainability and feasibility as well as make onsite visits to see the dreams of our applicants from their perspective in an effort to bring forth the best of all the grant projects from each Focus Group.

From the President: Last month I had the pleasure to celebrate with our members by announcing the results of our membership drive and the total dollars collected to be awarded later this year. It’s been three years since we’ve had a BIG REVEAL live and in person and our ladies were ready to be together! We thrive on collaborating and feeding off the energy of our peers. And if you enjoy that, I encourage you to sign up and participate in a focus group this summer. New members: mark your calendar for our New Member Reception on May 24 and be on the lookout for your invitation in the mail. We look forward to meeting you and sharing some valuable information with you at the event. The Impact100 Owensboro online grant application is now open. We are so excited to read about the amazing programs and ideas from our area nonprofits. We encourage you to dream big and think outside the box. This is your time to shine! Applications for all grants are due by 5 p.m. on June 3. Read the full Newsletter at the link below.

“In like a lion, out like a lamb” often describes the month of March. For Impact100 Owensboro though, March is the culmination of our membership drive and by the end of the month, you are going to hear us ROAR! Did you know that March is also National Women’s History Month? It may be coincidence, but our Impact100 membership drive ends in March each year and our chapter has made some significant history over the last 16 years! Our chapter was the first one developed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Our chapter co-founder, Martha F. Clark, will soon be the first woman inaugurated into the Owensboro Business Hall of Fame. And our high school chapter of NEXTGEN is just the second of its kind in the country! In 2021, we made history again with the highest number of members (287) AND the greatest total of dollars raised and awarded in one cycle ($259,500)!

Happy New Year and welcome to year 17 of Impact100 Owensboro! A new year is always exciting to have a fresh slate, make new goals and reflect on the goodness of the year gone by. 2021 was historic for our organization as we raised and awarded the largest amount ever, and had the greatest number of ladies participating in our giving circle. It still gives me chills to think about the resilience of our community after the first year of the pandemic. The nonprofits needed us more than ever and we showed up with 287 members and gave away $259,500 to four organizations. And if that wasn’t enough, at least two of our members privately funded two additional finalists’ grant proposals. Amazing! This is the ripple effect of Impact100 in action.

November and December are months of great change, excitement and celebrations, including so many holidays for our faith communities, as well as family get-togethers where we enjoy our cherished rituals. We say goodbye to this year and welcome a new one with hope and anticipation.

September and October are months filled with lifelong memories ... buying school supplies, clothes and new shoes, getting back into a routine after the carefree days of summer, and lots of fall sports practices. School children are excited and nervous about meeting new teachers and changing classes, and parents are also feeling conflicting emotions as children change schools or move off to college. The skies are bluer, the air is crisper, temperatures are more moderate, and the trees are beginning their changes to vibrant yellow, crimson and amber. There is a feeling of excitement in the air of new beginnings, fresh starts.

Summertime is here! Hot summer days with white billowing clouds, fresh corn and the scent of barbeque in the air. As the pandemic eases up, we are all venturing out carefully into a social world again. It has been so nice to see familiar faces in person, and not on a screen. As the summer unfolds we are looking forward to gathering together in groups that share common bonds.