Guest Column - “From the Seed of an Idea - Grows a Benevolent Organization” by Elaine Suess
Elaine Suess is immediate past president of the organization, Impact 100 - - and the owner of Beyondbeing Marketing.
September 1, 2009
Lincoln Maly Marketing will feature guest columnists on the company website who will share their vision and inspiration for excellence, passion, innovation, creativity, and service.
In this month's website guest column, Elaine Suess, the immediate past president of the organization, Impact 100, encourages readers to think outside the box and give of themselves to their community. Elaine uses Impact 100 as an example of the power that can result from believing you can live a dream and from giving of yourself. Impact 100, a national organization that was begun in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2001, contributes 100% of its members' donations to local non-profit organizations who have passed through a tough member scrutiny process.
Elaine Suess is immediate past president of Impact 100, and is serving her sixth year on the organization's board. Elaine is also president of Beyondbeing Marketing.
A more detailed bio is included at the end of this guest column.
From the Seed of an Idea – Grows a Benevolent Organization
by Elaine Suess, immediate past president of Impact 100
It’s no secret that people are busy. Today more than ever? I’m not sure.
What I am sure of is that when I have made the time to get involved in my community, either through a contribution of time or money, I have felt so enriched that the “busyness” surrounding the time and the gift seems to miraculously and seamlessly fit into my schedule -- and not feel like a burden!
What does it mean to join with others to make a bigger difference than I can on my own?
Here is one example. In 2001, an organization called Impact 100 began in Cincinnati. The organization founder, Wendy Steele, had a vision that if at least 100 women came together to make a difference in the community, as a group, they could then make a transformational impact, much different than some might be able to make on their own. The group’s purpose was to encourage philanthropy in like-minded women to produce clear results. One-hundred-percent of the members’ contributions would be given away each year in the form of the grant.
During its initial year, 123 women joined Impact 100 and the group was able to donate a total of $123,000. And, from that early beginning eight years ago, Impact 100 continues to grow and share today partly because of the organization’s simplicity.
Impact 100 – Organization’s Format
The design is straightforward and uncomplicated. For every 100 women who donate $1000, a grant of at least $100,000 is given to a non-profit organization in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky communities. The more members, the more Impact 100 can give away. Women can also join as a group, with just one vote per $1000. The current membership of the Cincinnati, Ohio/Northern Kentucky group of Impact 100 for instance is over 200 members (therefore, a contribution of over $200,000 will be able to be made).
The story here is simple. Together, we can do so much more than we can alone.
Impact 100 says that lives will be changed, and that is certainly true. Sometimes, we’re told, the lives changed are not only those of the non-profits and their recipients, but also the lives of the members themselves. I have indeed found that to be true.
The Focus and the Process
There are five focus areas for donations that cover all facets of life - Health and Wellness, Education, Family, Culture and Environment, Preservation & Recreation. The scrutiny process is intense and continues year 'round.
• February - Impact 100 announces the size of its grants, based on how many members it has.
• March - Non-profits submit grant requests for specific projects.
• April through July - Impact 100 members evaluate the grant requests and go to on-site visits to the prospective recipient non-profits.
• August - The five finalist non-profit organizations are announced; one in each focus area.
• September - The finalists present to the members who gather at an annual event.
• September - At the September event, members choose the grant recipients, and the grants are awarded.
• Year ‘round - Impact 100 follows up with the recipients in years following the awards.
Types of Organizations that Have Benefitted from Impact 100’s Generosity
During the first year of the organization’s existence, the first donation was awarded to McMicken Dental Center. The Center, which provides dental care to Cincinnati-area homeless persons, used the grant to purchase new chairs and x-ray equipment.
Judith Allen, D.D.S., dentist at the McMicken Dental Center and a member of Impact 100 since 2003, says, “I see everyday what the original Impact 100 grant has done for us. We desperately needed new dental equipment and our old equipment was literally falling apart. I am so proud to be a member of this vital group of women.”
In the ensuing years since 2001, organizations such as Redwood, Cincinnati Works and IKRON have received grants for specific projects.
Membership Profile
Impact 100 is not exclusive. No invitation is needed to join. Additionally, the organization has a guilt-free policy of engagement. Some members’ involvement may be at a level where they write a check and vote at the Awards Celebration. Others may join committees to review the grants received every year. Some women are in their early 20's while others are in their senior years. The magic of Impact 100 is found in like-minded women coming together to learn about the needs of the community, and to make a transformational difference -- together.
2009 Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Grants to be Awarded September 16, 2009
On Wednesday September 16, 2009, Impact 100 members and their guests will meet for the annual grant award celebration. This year, the organization will give away $206,000. After these grants are awarded, a grand total of $1.6 million will have been given to the community since Impact 100’s inception in 2001.
2010 – A Membership Goal of 300
Our goal for 2010 is to secure a total of at least 300 members so that our organization can give away three grants of at least $100,000 each to three separate worthy non-profits in this area.
The Impact 100 Concept Continues to Grow - Nationally
The pebble has been cast into the water, and its effects are being felt throughout the country now. There are currently ten other Impact 100 organizations around the country, each with varying levels of membership. Two cities specifically stand out with membership totals of over 500 members each: Pensacola, Florida and Austin, Texas.
Bottom Line... There's a Larger Purpose
So, though it seems there’s never enough time to do everything I want to do, these connections tied to a larger purpose continue to provide meaning I couldn’t find anywhere else.
Impact 100
For information about Impact 100, please visit the organization’s website or contact the organization’s immediate past president, Elaine Suess at elaine at beyondbeing.net.
About Elaine Suess
Elaine Suess is immediate past president of the organization Impact 100, and is serving her sixth year on that group's board. She is continually amazed at and energized by the number of non-profits and people doing such wonderful things in the community. Elaine is also president of Beyondbeing Marketing.
About the Impact 100 Grant Award Celebration, September 16, 2009
If you are in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area and would like to attend the Impact 100 September 16 Grant Award Celebration, please contact Elaine Suess at elaine at beyondbeingmarketing.net or visit the Impact 100 website. Non-members are welcome to attend the event.