news release

For the second time in the 13-year history of Impact 100 Indian River, a virtual meeting was held on April 22 to announce the grant awards for the 2020-2021 grant year.

The voting process itself was also unique to the times, with an extraordinary number of members participating: Members were able to view 5-minute videos from each of the 10 Grant Finalists along with details of each grant project. They then were able to cast their ballots either online or by mail. The addition of technology brought in a record percentage of voting participation; over 78% of Impact 100 members voted and made their voices heard, the most in Impact 100 Indian River County’s history!

Since this year’s total grant award amount is $436,000, four $100,000 High Impact grants were awarded, with the remaining $36,000 awarded as Merit Award grants. Impact 100 awards every dollar of its membership funds in grants to Indian River County nonprofits. Of the 10 finalists this year, four are receiving High Impact grants, with the remaining six receiving Merit Award grants.

With this year’s grant awards, Impact 100 of Indian River County will have awarded more than $5 million to local area nonprofits to transform the lives of the residents of Indian River County.

The four recipients of the 2021 $100,000 High Impact Grants are:

Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy – The Learning Center at Youth Guidance

Crossover Mission – The Center for Achievement and Tutoring (the CAT) at the Crossover Center

Safe Space – Indian River County Emergency Shelter

Veteran’s Council of Indian River County, Inc. – Veteran Families: Quality of Life

In addition, the following six nonprofits are Merit Award recipients, each receiving $6000.

Youth Sailing Foundation Childcare Resources of Indian River United Against Poverty Ballet Vero Beach IRC Healthy Start Coalition Pelican Island Audubon Society

“The gift of Impact 100 membership is the opportunity to know our community’s nonprofits on a far deeper level,” said Grants Chair Mary Blair.  “On behalf of the fifty dedicated women who served on the Grants team this season, I am honored to congratulate all of the awardees announced today.  Indian River County is elevated and enriched by their important work.”   

Board President Gladys LaForge stated, “Our nonprofits need these grant dollars more than ever. Of course, I am disappointed that we could not be physically together to celebrate the extraordinary year we have had. But right now, that is secondary to the urgency felt by all of us to keep our process going. As I have said often, our members are the heart and soul of this organization – their support has given me so much energy this year!”

About Impact 100

Impact 100 comprises women who collectively impact the lives of individuals and our community through transformational giving. Each member contributes $1000 and gets one vote. High impact grants of $100,000 each are awarded to the recipients selected at the Grant Awards and Annual Meeting following a comprehensive grant application and vetting process.