Frequently Asked Questions

What is Impact100 Essex?

10 Years of Women Giving as a Collective Force in Essex County

Impact100 Essex is a diverse community of women who pool our resources to fund high-impact grants for local nonprofits. For a decade, we have responded to the needs of underserved communities through two primary pillars:

  • $100,000 Impact Grant: Transformative funding for innovative projects and initiatives in Essex County.

  • Equity Grants: Launched in 2021 to address philanthropic disparities, these smaller grants provide unrestricted funding to smaller, BIPOC-led local nonprofits.

Why Join Us? 

Since our founding 10 years ago, we have channeled nearly $1,500,000 into more than 70 local nonprofits. 

  • Become an impactful philanthropist: Your $1,000 joins a collective pool to create transformational grants that few (or none) of us could achieve alone.

  • Engage in cutting-edge philanthropy: We offer both project and program funding, empowering nonprofit leaders with the flexibility they need to thrive.

  • Connect with like-minded women: We come together for grantmaking, community building, and education. Our members report that they cherish the friendships and connections they make here.

How It Works

  • The Contribution: $1,150 annually ($1,000 for the grant pool; $150 for administrative expenses).

  • The Cycle: Our 10th Anniversary membership year runs from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027.

  • The Democracy: Every member has one vote. Member-led teams review applications, and the entire membership votes to select our recipients.

Help Us Write the Next Chapter

In this challenging climate for nonprofits, there has never been more need for Impact100 Essex. Join us by May 1st to be a full voting member for our next grant cycle.

I love the idea of joining Impact100, but I don’t have time to commit to another organization.  

Members participate as much or as little as their time and circumstances permit. Members can join active committees, take on one-time or leadership tasks, or can decide just to vote on the award - and they can also do that by absentee ballot. Over a third of members elect to participate in fall and/or spring grant review, the beating heart of our work. Members can network with like-minded women, connecting at social and educational events to increase their connections to the community. Members can also join one-time educational, volunteer, or social events.

What role is there for me if I don’t want to become a member?

You can become a Friend of Impact100 Essex (see our “Join or Renew” page). Donations of any amount are accepted via check, credit card, bank ACH transfer, or stock transfer. Although they do not provide voting rights, these donations help cover program and operating expenses that are essential to accomplishing our mission, growing our membership, awarding grants, and assuring our sustainability.  You are invited to attend our annual meeting and acknowledged in the annual meeting program.

Questions about Donations and Contributions

Why do I pay the Community Foundation? I thought I was donating to Impact100 Essex? 

The Community Foundation of NJ (CFNJ) is our parent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Impact100 Essex is a special projects fund under CFNJ. We pay CFNJ a fee to manage our funds, execute required tax filings and financial audits, and handle core administrative tasks such as providing an application and evaluation platform and printing and sending donation acknowledgments and tax receipts to our members. More importantly, CFNJ, which hosts other New Jersey Impact groups, promotes our work, and connects us to New Jersey thought leaders and nonprofits.

I’m not able to make a contribution of this size at one time.  What are my options?

There are several options available:

  • Members may opt for monthly automatic recurring contributions to spread the cost over the first six months of the year.  

  • Members also join through the contribution of their employers. See Sponsor a Member (on our “Join or Renew” page) for a letter you can send to your employer indicating the professional development benefits you’ll gain by joining Impact100.

  • Our Every Voice Fellowship (see our “Join or Renew” page) provides an on-ramp to membership, offering graduated contributions for the first two years of membership, after which a member can make other choices to join. 

  • Some members use their employers’ matching gift to cover half of their annual membership cost.   

  • Other members decide to re-allocate their total giving to nonprofits and focus on a high impact gift that invests in their local community.  

If my/my spouse’s employer has a matching program, will you accept this donation?

Yes, you can double (or triple) your impact! We gratefully accept employer matching gifts. Donations exceeding your membership contribution play an important role as they are applied toward program and operating costs. Please submit a matching request for your donation to your or your spouse’s employer. Some employers may also provide matching donations for retirees.

Are my donations tax-deductible?

Yes. The Community Foundation of NJ is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The tax ID number is 222281783. Contributions (including the administrative fee) are tax-deductible for the year in which they are made.

Do you accept gifts of stock?

Yes. To make a stock donation, please email email finance@impact100essex.org indicating your interest in Impact100 Essex and a stock donation form will be sent to you.

How does Impact100 Essex allocate my membership donation?

For general memberships, $1,000 goes directly into the grant pool and $150 goes to support the essential program and operating expenses of Impact100 Essex. 

How does Impact100 Essex address circumstances that would prevent the distribution of grant funds to the selected grantee?

In extraordinary circumstances where barriers appear to bar distribution of grant funds (e.g., inability to proceed with the project; malfeasance, etc.), the Grant Committee Co-chairs, in consultation with the Impact Co-Chairs (and the Governance Chairs and CFNJ as appropriate), will explore limited modifications that will best coincide with members’ determination and the grantees’ circumstances and recommend such modifications for Steering Committee approval.

Upon a determination that such barriers cannot be overcome, members will be notified and the grant shall be awarded to the runner up in the ranked vote. In the event of a tie among the remaining finalists, the grant shall be awarded to the recipient of the most first-place votes. In the event of other unforeseen variables, the Steering Committee will convene to determine next steps.