Frequently Asked Questions

How does Impact 100 Seattle work?

Impact 100 Seattle is a collective giving group for women that supports positive change in its community through annual grant(s) presented to local nonprofit organization(s). We seek to connect, inspire and empower women to become a more thoughtful giving force. This is how the process works:

• Gather a collective of at least 100 women who want to become more educated contributors to their community. Each woman donates $1,000 to become an Impact 100 Seattle member, and the money is pooled into a $100,000 grant.
• Small, local nonprofits apply for the grant.
• Our grant review team, which is made up for Impact 100 Seattle members, reviews the applications, and narrows them down to a small group of finalists.
• We come together at the annual meeting to hear about these inspirational nonprofits and vote to allocate the funding. Each member gets one vote. All organizations that are presented as finalists will receive a donation to thank them for the time they spent working with us even if they do not receive the large grant.
• Impact 100 Seattle continues to support our Grantee Partners in whatever way we can. Whether it’s a holiday drive, help spreading the word about an event, or making introductions to our network.
• Throughout the process, Impact 100 Seattle members have the opportunity to better understand the issues and needs of the nonprofit environment in Seattle, while the nonprofits have a platform to share their knowledge and ideas that will transform our community and gain passionate advocates.

Where did the idea for Impact 100 Seattle come from?

Wendy Steele is the original Founder and creator of the Impact 100 model which brings transformational grants to the communities it serves across five broad focus areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family and Health & Wellness. The Impact 100 model has been replicated in communities around the United States and Australia and it is still growing.

This pass-through foundation was designed to remove the traditional barriers to giving and provide a unique experience to the donor. The model democratizes philanthropy and empowers women to see themselves as philanthropists and as a part of the solution in their local community. Impact 100 is designed so that 100% of the $1,000 donation is granted to local non-profits in increments of at least $100,000. These grants are meant to be transformational to the grantee and the community.

Wendy designed Impact 100 to be an open source model that is shared freely. The Impact 100 model is available to any community without any fees or licensing. Individual organizations are able to modify the model to suit their particular community. You can find out more at www.impact100council.org.

Why should I join?

Everyone has her own reason to join Impact 100 Seattle; here are just a few:

• Become part of a community of diverse women who want to learn from and inspire each other to take action and make an impact. 
• Learn about the needs of your community by working on the grants committee and hearing from local community leaders and organizers.
• Contribute more than just money by getting involved in this volunteer-run organization. 
• Connect with and help local nonprofits who are looking for people with your skills.
• Build a new organization that empowers and inspires women.
• Amplify your giving. $1,000 can make a difference, but $100,000 can make an impact!
• Don’t just sit there, DO SOMETHING!

Who is eligible to become a member of Impact 100 Seattle?

What benefits can I expect as a member?

As a member, you will become a building block in a community of women with diverse thoughts and backgrounds, who will learn together, shape each other's views and push each other's thinking. By working closely with expert nonprofit leaders, we hope to better understand the underlying issues impacting our Puget Sound community. As a member, you can expect to learn about organizations that are working to solve those issues. You will have the opportunity to understand what you can do to support their work while pooling resources to help make an impact. You can expect this to be an evolution and see the experience further take shape as we get to know each other and our community partners.

What are the expectations and time commitment for members?

The level of involvement is up to each member. We anticipate some women will volunteer their time on committees, others will attend the majority of events offered, others may only have the time to write the check. Come as you are and give what you can, is what we like to say!

How much does it cost to join Impact 100 Seattle?

A membership in Impact 100 Seattle is $1,000/year. The full $1,000 is directed towards the Impact grant. We encourage our members to donate additional money to help cover some of the operating expenses of this volunteer-run organization. The suggested donation to cover operational expenses is $200.

What payment forms do you accept?

We encourage you to pay via check, as that is the most efficient form of payment as it doesn't incur any service fees. You may also pay via credit card, stock transfer, or transfer from your Donor Advised Fund.

Can I pay over time?

Can I sponsor somebody else?

What are the operating expenses of Impact 100 Seattle?

• Website hosting and maintenance
• CRM management system
• Government filing fees
• Insurance
• Member and organization outreach
• Meetings and events (although we hope to cover most of those costs with sponsorships and donations)

Are you a 501(c)(3) and are my donations tax deductible?