CONGRATULATIONS TO ACCESS YOUTH! |
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On September 23rd, Impact100 DC awarded its first grant of $105,000 to Access Youth, Inc. at its inaugural celebration event. “Access Youth is honored and thrilled to be Impact100 DC’s inaugural grantee. Impact100 DC demonstrates the power of women building relationships and coming together with a common goal to make an impact on their community. That is exactly what our girls’ program, My Attitude Determines Everything (M.A.D.E.), is built to accomplish. With our $105,000 Impact100 DC grant, Access Youth will expand the M.A.D.E. program to all of our high schools and serve an additional 150 young women, “ said Jodi Ovca, Access Youth’s Founder and CEO. Click here for a video of the grant award presentation.
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It honestly does take a village.... |
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From Ann Vaughn, President
Early Fall Greetings to Impact DC Members and Friends!
I have to say it was a real push to get to the finish line of our founding year, and here we are beginning anew!
On the grants side of things, Sharon Dennis and Latina Fauconier worked hard with the nonprofit finalists late this summer to provide members with all the information they needed to cast an informed vote. That work continued with wonderful recordings by each of those organizations. Thanks so much to Jenny Backus and Ranit Schmelzer for providing a training session for the spokespersons to advise them on how to best use their short time and provide the smoothest and most effective recording possible. On the events side, Shannon Behm, our events chair, was a miracle worker. She and events team member Kristin Nicholson bought the food and prepared all the snack and dessert boxes, at a cost that would have amazed even my frugal mother! We benefitted from the graphic design artistry of Bethann Siegel, and our reception felt friendly right from the get-go thanks to Polly Snyder and the volunteer greeters she organized. And of course thanks as always to the Impact board members, particularly Jenny Backus, who made the gorgeous Akin Gump space a reality for us, Ellen Sivon, who was involved in every stage of the event planning, and others who pitched in where they were needed just as they always do!
All in all, a lot of work by a lot of people, but all would say it was rewarding, worthwhile, and, a lot of the time, truly fun!!
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September Member Profiles!
Member Joan de Pontet spoke with
these enterprising consulting firm founders and CEOs
Ranit Schmelzer, Maura Corbett, Jenny Backus
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Maura Corbett and Ranit Schmelzer had each mentored Jenny Backus professionally---Maura as CEO and founder of the Glen Echo Group which helps clients translate new technologies and innovations into compelling communications---Ranit as President of Schmelzer Strategies which advises non-profits, universities and think tanks on complex policy and legislative opportunities. Jenny, Founder and President of Backus Consulting, a strategic communications firm, says she learned so much from them, and they describe her as the “great connector.”
All three women are super busy moms, juggling schedules, but during the pandemic each felt a heightened sense of privilege and need to give back to their local community, to the very neighbors who were doing the work so crucial to our shared well-being. Jenny learned of Impact100 DC through a fellow mom, Stacy Beck, and signed on for its inaugural year as Co-Chair for Membership. Maura noted that when Jenny asks, “You know that what she is proposing is legitimate, necessary and honorable…and as a mother of daughters, I felt that it was critical to not just talk about equity but walk the walk.” Ranit was also drawn to Impact DC by the power of women acting together.
These three great communicators have some messages for Impact100 DC members.
- Impact100 DC has a wonderful story to be told, and we must get the word out through social media, local press, influencers with the clear message: “You Can Get Involved.”
- As members, we can each take on a personal challenge…Bring in one or better yet two new members! Let them know how exciting it is to learn about and support the inspiring work that is being done by community-based nonprofits addressing racial equity and structural inequalities.
-Let prospective members know that they can participate without being overwhelmed. Don’t be afraid: it is okay if you don’t have a lot of time. Impact DC needs expertise, and time-limited jobs get a lot done. There is a real continuum of involvement from leadership to small jobs.
Impact100 DC was born during the pandemic and its very first face-to-face event celebrated the community it has built and the incredible work being done by local nonprofits addressing equity issues. “What a reentry,” said Jenny. "I’ve never been in a sorority or a women’s club but I finally really understood the emotion and inspiration that comes from working together with a powerful fired-up group of incredible women." Ranit added that as effective as zoom has been in getting things done, the energy of being together was wonderful. Impact100 DC underscores the power of women, the generosity of their support for each other, and the incredible difference they can make when they pool their expertise, financial support and ability to get the story out.
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Impact 100 DC Board members with DEI facilitator Beverly Grant at their annual retreat in August
CLICK HERE FOR OUR 2021 ANNUAL REPORT |
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Our membership goal is 200 members by December 31st. We need every member to be a recruiter!
Stay tuned for an email coming shortly containing a "toolkit" of resources to help you encourage others to join.
Would you like one of us on the board to come to an event you are planning? We would be happy to, whether it's a coffee with one friend or a group of 20 at your house!
Questions? Contact Ellen Sivon at esivon@impact100dc.org
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If you have not yet filled out your form to opt in or out of a member directory, please do so asap! Please click here. |
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Are you interested in being more actively involved in Impact100 DC? We are looking for volunteers in almost every area, but especially communications and marketing, for both discrete tasks and leadership roles. Contact: president@impact100dc.org
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At Impact100 DC, we are working hard to build an inclusive and diverse community. To measure our progress towards this important goal, we have created a demographic survey to learn more about our members.
Only 40% of you have completed the survey. Please help us by taking 60 seconds to complete it. The information we receive will help us plan strategically with regard to membership development efforts that need to reach into every corner of the DC metro region. Rest assured your answers will never be shared. (The information we receive will help us be more effective in our outreach and recruiting efforts.) Thanks in advance for your help! Click here to get started.
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Non Profit Updates
We will continue to support the work of all of our fine finalist organizations by spreading word of their work, in this space and on our website.
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Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop invites you
to the upcoming launch of their latest book:
When You Hear Me (You Hear US) -- Voices on Youth Incarceration
This virtual event will provide a powerful firsthand look
into the important work of this noteworthy organization!
Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Time: 7 PM EST
click here for the link to the eventbrite
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Impact100 DC
PO Box 40121
Washington, DC 20016
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Contact:
President@Impact100dc.org
Membership@Impact100dc.org
Phone: 202 379-4773
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