news release
With the power of collective giving, Impact 100 Indian River awarded $466,000 to seven local nonprofits, proving once again that when like-minded women unite with purpose, transformational change follows.
More than 200 philanthropic-minded members gathered at Oak Harbor Club on April 16 for Impact 100’s 17th Annual Meeting and Grant Award Celebration. After hearing compelling presentations from all seven nonprofit finalists and tallying member votes, four organizations were each awarded a $100,000 grant:
- Indian River Soccer Academy – Fellsmere Player Development Program
- Treasure Coast Community Health, Inc. – Oslo Pediatric Dental Equipment
- United Against Poverty, Inc. – Powering Disaster Relief
- Youth Guidance Center, Inc. – The Culinary Academy
Three additional finalists each received $22,000 in Merit Awards:
- Hibiscus Children’s Center – Supporting Families in Crisis
- The New Port Club – Building a Better Day Open House Project
- Tykes and Teen, Inc. – Family Peer Support
“Today, we are awarding four $100,000 grants and three $22,000 merit awards. But let’s be clear, we are celebrating each and every one of you,” said Suzi McCoy Shriner, president of Impact 100 to the seven nonprofits. “You’ve each shown us what’s possible when passion meets purpose.”
This event marks the culmination of a months-long process involving nonprofit outreach, application support, grant review, and informed voting by members. Since its founding in 2008, Impact 100 Indian River has awarded more than $7 million to local nonprofits working to make Indian River County a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
“Our process isn’t about choosing who’s most worthy—because they all are,” Shriner added. “It’s about using our collective resources to make the biggest impact right now.”
Impact 100’s grant-making model is simple and powerful: each member contributes $1,000 annually, plus $100 for administrative support. These individual gifts are pooled together to fund multiple $100,000 grants each year—supporting bold, transformational initiatives that strengthen Indian River County.
Generous sponsors helped make the evening possible, including Silver Sponsors Suzanne Bertman and Wanda Lincoln. Gold Sponsors included Dean Mead; Cathy Curley, Dale Sorensen Real Estate; and PNC Private Bank.
Impact 100 believes in the power of women to drive change through compassion, collaboration, and collective action. The organization gives every member a voice, a vote, and a direct hand in transforming lives.
“To each of our finalists: thank you for dreaming big, doing the hard work, and believing so fiercely in your mission,” Shriner said. “Tonight, we celebrate all of you—because we’re all part of something bigger.”
Founded in 2008, membership in Impact 100 IR is open to all women in Indian River County, including seasonal residents. To learn more or join this collective force for good, visit www.impact100ir.com and click Join/Renew.
As one member said, “When women unite, there’s no stopping us.”
For more information, contact Elizabeth Sorensen, 772-492-5355
Indian River Guardian 