Sharon Mitchell

We are just about to begin the most exciting phase of the Impact 100 year. 

The Grant Review Committees have completed their work of selecting the five Grant Finalists, and CIRC (Community Investment Review Committee) has completed its work of confirming the financial viability of the Finalist agencies and proposals.  Additionally, planning is well underway for the Finalist Announcement and the Annual Awards Celebration (AAC), and Recruiting for next year has begun.

This year, we will have the opportunity to select the Impact 100 Grant Recipients from five strong Finalists.  We are fortunate to live in a community that has such vibrant and creative non-profit agencies.  When the Grant Review process began, we had Letter of Intent proposal from 102 local agencies.  These were carefully reviewed, and 45 agencies were invited to submit Grant Proposals.  After serious deliberations including a number of site visits, the Grant Review Committees selected the five Finalists that we will soon meet.

The entire Board hopes that you can join us for the Finalist Announcement on August 6^h when we announce the five Grant Recipient Finalists.  This event is always enjoyable, and it is a great opportunity to invite friends and colleagues who may be interested in becoming future members. (This event is free!)

We also hope you can join us for the Annual Awards Celebration (AAC) on September 24^th.  This event is the culmination of the Impact 100 year - the opportunity for you to hear from the Finalists, cast your vote, network and enjoy other Impact 100 members, enjoy a delicious dinner, and see which organizations receive our 2013 Grant Awards.  This is also a wonderful opportunity to invite your friends and colleagues who are interested in learning more about Impact 100 and potentially becoming new members.

Please remember to register for these events, and invite your friends today!!!

I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Finalist Announcement and the Annual Awards Celebration.

Warm Regards,

Sharon Mitchell

President, Impact 100

In 2011, Impact 100 funded a grant of $112,000 to Stepping Stones to create the area's only weekend respite care program for individuals ages 12 - 17 with severe autism and sensory challenges and who have a coexisting disability in the area of mental health. 

Currently 8 individuals have been identified and are currently enrolled in the program.  Support is very strong for the program and some future goals are to increase the number of participants to 12 in the program and to open the program to girls.

With your grant we designed 5 indoor sensory spaces for these individuals and a 6 outdoor station sensory trail and purchased all of the equipment.  Additionally, because of your grant, Stepping Stones received grants and donations from Push America, Cincinnati Rotary, PNC Reakirt Foundation, Spaulding Foundation, Macy's Foundation, Louise Taft Semple Foundations and the Hunefeld Charitable Trust totaling over $75,000!

The Impact 100 grant allows Stepping Stones to meet a critical need in the community.  It provides 1:1 staffing for the program as well as an onsite nurse, kitchen staff and additional staff member for resources.  As told to Sam Browne of Stepping Stones, "This program has made an impact!  It is a one of a kind program that is being hailed by the Regional Autism Advisory Council, Hamilton, Clermont and Warren Counties Department of Developmental Disabilities, The Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism and most importantly parents...parents needing a respite... a respite for their son/daughter and also a respite for the family.  Without a break, families can fragment and shatter.  It is estimated that the divorce rate is in the 80% rate for families with a coexisting disability."

*we'd love to hear and share more stories - please email them to [email protected] 

Kim Watts McMillan

Impact 100 Board Member 

Here's a great opportunity to see firsthand how an Impact 100 grant is making a difference.

The Freestore Foodbank, 2008 Impact 100 grant recipient, utilized its transformational grant to underwrite the expansion of the PowerPack program to more schools.  The PowerPack program provides food to students over the weekend to ensure they have something to eat.  A typical PowerPack contains: canned fruit, 2% milk, cereal, red beans and rice and applesauce.

Join fellow Impact 100 members and families (family members must be 13 years or older to participate) to pack PowerPacks in October to be distributed to students in need.

We expect more details and a registration link for this October event to be included in our next newsletter.

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