Membership in new local philanthropy to close Oct. 31

Impact 100 Gulf Coast, a newly created chapter of a two-decade old global philanthropy, will wrap up its membership drive Oct. 31, setting the stage for the awarding of at least two $100,000 grants next year to deserving local non-profits in the six-county region.

The Impact 100 Gulf Coast region, which includes Gulf as well as Bay, Gulf, Calhoun, Jackson, Washington and Holmes counties, is now in the first year of a global philanthropy created by Wendy Steele in 2001 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her concept is to gather at least 100 women who each donate $1,000, with the goal of significantly impacting one local organization. 

There are now more than 73 Impact 100 chapters in four countries around the world and as of a year ago, will have given away more than $123 million to worthy non-profits in their local communities.

Trish Warriner, of Port St. Joe, a founding board member of the local chapter, said that once membership closes next week, the group will tally its total, which now stands at over 200, with about 20 members in Gulf County. 

This will enable the group to award at least two $100,000 grants in May, with the remaining monies rolled over to the next year’s funding. The membership will then open again for 2026.

“These are ‘transformational’ grants,” said Warriner. “They enable a non-profit doing worthy work to turn the tide and allow them to expand.”

The grant application process is structured, transparent, and open, with the ultimate decision on the awards in the hands of the local Impact 100 membership.

The grants can be awarded in any of five categories: Arts & Culture, which include cultural programs, participation in the arts and arts education; Environment, which comprises conservation and preservation of natural resources, environmental justice, parks and recreation, agricultural sustainability, environmental education and climate action Health & Wellness, which covers improvement of people’s mental and/or physical well-being; Education, which address educational opportunities for children and/or adults, especially those involves lingering educational disparities that affect the community; and Family, which covers strengthening and enhancing the lives of children and families, including seniors.

Warriner said that the $1,000 contribution to be a member can be paid in installments, and can be sponsored by a business on behalf of the individual.

Those interested in becoming a member should visit gulfcoast.impact100global.org for more information or to join.