Catalyzing Change
Through Collective Giving
Women coming together to fund high-impact grants
that strengthen our community.
Impact100 DC is an all-volunteer women’s philanthropic community dedicated to improving lives in the Washington, DC metro area by collectively funding high-impact grants to local nonprofit organizations. We are guided by three core principles:
Address Unmet Needs
To address unmet needs in the region, prioritizing those that result from systemic racism and structural inequity
Build a Stronger Community
To create and sustain a diverse community of dynamic women committed to building bridges across the wide demographic divides in the Washington, DC area
Empower Women Leaders
To empower women as philanthropists and leaders
Our Story
Founded in fall 2019, beginning with a gathering at Tenley-Friendship Library, Impact100 DC was created by a group of women committed to weaving inclusion, community, and measurable impact into a shared vision. Impact100 DC is based on the visionary model by Wendy Steele, who formed the first chapter in Cincinnati in 2001.
Since Impact100 DC’s inception, we have successfully completed six grant cycles and awarded 23 grants totaling $1.083M to local nonprofit organizations. Our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan outlines our ongoing investment in local progress and change.
How It Works
The Impact100 model is readily available to all communities who wish to implement it. The model is designed to empower women to see themselves as philanthropists and overcome the barriers women have historically faced in this arena. The model is designed for transformational grant-making within local communities, with a minimum grant size of $100,000.
At Least 100 Women Come Together
Each Woman Donates
$100,000 is Donated to a Local Charity
Why It Works
$1,000 individual contributions are pooled to become high-impact community investments
Member donations go directly to grants; operating costs are funded separately through optional “Member-Plus” contributions
Every stage is governed by member volunteers. Members can join Focus Area Committees (FACs) — Arts & Culture; Education; Family; Health & Wellness; or Preservation, Environment & Recreation — or a Finance Review FAC, where they review grant proposals, conduct site visits and recommend finalists to ensure our grantmaking is collaborative, transparent, and deeply informed by local priorities. Additional volunteer opportunities include serving on operational committees such as Membership, Communications, and Events.