Impact 100 Chicago
/OVERVIEW: Impact 100 Chicago supports nonprofits in the areas of culture, education, family, health and sustainability. There are separate chapters for the city and suburbs. Empowering women and families is major focus of this funder.
IP TAKE: While its interests are broad, this funder only makes four or five grants each year, making for a competitive application process. Letters of inquiry are accepted in August and September for funding the following year.
PROFILE: Impact 100 Chicago is one chapter of a women’s giving collective that has gained momentum in communities around the country. Established in 2010, Impact 100 Chicago has chapters for both the city and the suburbs and aims to “award membership funded transformational grants to local non-profit organizations while empowering women to improve lives through philanthropy.” Grantmaking interest areas are culture, education, family, health and sustainability.
While this funder names diverse grantmaking interests, it generally awards only four or five grants a year, and recent recipients have worked mainly in the areas of education, economic opportunity and family support. In all interest areas, the organization focuses on opportunity and wellness for Chicago’s vulnerable residents. Past grantees include Rebuilding Exchange, which offers job training to at-risk individuals, and Shelter, Inc., which works with abused and neglected children.
The group awards one or two signature grants each year in the amount of $100,000 and each and about three smaller merit grants in amounts under $15,000. Grantseekers can read about past grantees in the news section of the organization’s website. Grantmaking is restricted to the greater Chicago area, including its suburbs. In the past, grants have trended toward youth engagement, employment and economic advancement in poor neighborhoods, and toward mental health programs.
This funder accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry that propose a new project or program or expand or continue a proven program. LOIs are typically accepted in August and September. Direct questions to grants@impact100chicago.org. You can also check the Upcoming Events page to see what the funder is up to in the Chicago area. The leadership team tends to change year by year, so you can view the current listing here.
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