Membership FAQs

Impact100 DC is an all-volunteer women’s philanthropic community dedicated to improving lives in the Washington, DC area by collectively funding high-impact grants to local nonprofit organizations.

Our vision is to address unmet needs in our community, prioritizing those that result from systemic racism and structural inequity. We aim to create and sustain a diverse community of dynamic women committed to building bridges across the wide demographic divides in the Washington, DC area and to empower women as
philanthropists and leaders.

Impact100 DC brings together women who each contribute annually. These contributions are pooled to fund large, high-impact grants for local nonprofits. For every 100 members, we’re able to award a $100,000 grant. The more members we have, the more we can give. In 2025, with over 200 members, we awarded two $100,000 Impact Grants, plus additional Mission-Based Grants for finalist organizations. More members = more grants = more impact in our community.

We started recruiting our first members in 2020 and have completed four grant cycles. We have 213 members in 2025 and are looking to grow substantially in 2026.

Since 2021, we’ve awarded $782,000 in 20 grants to organizations serving communities throughout the DC metro area.

We are first and foremost a grantmaking organization. But our mission goes beyond funding—we’re building a diverse and dynamic community of women committed to local philanthropy and collective impact. We provide social and educational opportunities that foster connection and shared learning, and we empower emerging philanthropists through our Fellowship program. By welcoming women of all ages and backgrounds, we aim to build bridges across the D.C. region and help shape a lasting culture of philanthropy and leadership.

Applicants must be located in and serve residents of the District of Columbia, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Arlington, and/or Fairfax Counties or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church.

In this all-volunteer organization, Impact100 DC members lead and participate in the grant evaluation process through five Focus Areas: Arts & Culture; Education; Environment, Preservation & Recreation; Family; and Health & Wellness.

You can learn about Impact100 DC’s grantees from the past five years by clicking here.

Focus Area Committees are small groups within our organization where members review and evaluate grant applications. This is where we decide what program or project will make the most profound impact with our grant funds.

Yes. Our Finance Committee does a “deep dive” analysis of an organization’s financial statements and long-term viability following the Focus Area Committees’ initial round of grant screening.

The annual Impact100 DC membership fee is $1,000. Every penny of that contribution goes into the pool of money for the annual grants. While most members contribute $1,000+ annually, we also offer pathways for women who want to participate at a different giving level.

You can join by visiting our Membership page. We need to receive your contribution by Dec. 31, 2025.

Yes! Impact100 DC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are fully tax deductible. Impact100 DC’s Federal tax identification number is 84-2317756.

The only obligation for membership is to contribute annually. This entitles you to vote to select grant awardees. There are also volunteer opportunities to suit every member’s time, talent, and interest, but there is no obligation to participate in any of those activities.

No! We have members from all over the DMV, as well as from other states who have a deep interest in our community and want to be involved.

Some companies do sponsor memberships. Check with your employer to see if they offer sponsorship or matching gift programs.

No, each member is limited to one vote per person per year. However, you can prepay your membership for subsequent years, sponsor others to join Impact100 DC, and/or make an additional contribution towards the fellowship program or operating expenses.

We strongly encourage members to join at the Member Plus level by contributing $1,100—an extra $100 or 10% above the standard membership. While not required, this additional support is deeply appreciated and helps cover essential operating expenses that keep Impact100 DC running. Most members choose to give at the Member Plus level to help sustain our all-volunteer organization and its lean operating budget. These contributions fund critical needs such as our membership database, grant application and review platform, insurance, and nonprofit registration fees in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Yes, we offer shared memberships between two members, with each member paying half. Those two members share a vote when it comes time to select the annual grantees but otherwise participate as full members. Individuals in a shared membership may not serve on the Board of Directors or as a Committee Chair. For more information and a Shared Membership Application Form, click here. You may also pay in four monthly installments.

• Two women may form a Shared Membership.
• Each Shared Membership is entitled to one vote for the Final Grant Award.
• The contribution for a Shared Membership includes a $70 administrative/operational fee ($35 per person).
• Each member should complete her own form and will receive a tax acknowledgement letter for her records.
• The Shared Membership is official once both forms have been completed and the total $1,000 + $70 administrative fee has been paid.

The Impact100 DC Fellowship program advances our commitment to building a community with diverse voices and perspectives by providing a path to women ages 21-39 who are interested in philanthropy but currently lack the financial resources to join us. Impact100 DC fellows contribute to our mission in a variety of ways, from serving on our grant review committees to amplifying our outreach to helping organize events. The fellowship is for one year, with an option to apply for a second year.

Typically, at least 50% of our members participate in Focus Area Committees to review grant applications and select finalists. They report an overwhelmingly positive experience with that process. Others help with membership, communications, website, database management, and more.

The sign-up period will be the first two weeks of January 2026.

Yes, participation is open to all. You can choose your area of interest. We may ask if you are flexible, and if so, we may move you based on the sign-up numbers for each committee.

Yes! We are always looking to deepen our bench of leaders, including positions on the Board, committee leadership, and more.

Grant review committee meetings are virtual. We host a variety of in-person events, including social gatherings and our annual grant awards celebration. Site visits with grant applicants are sometimes in-person, but with a virtual option when possible.

Yes. These include a September Impact Makers breakfast, fall Meet & Greets at members’ homes, new member gatherings, a spring happy hour, and our Annual Celebration in June when we announce grant awardees.

We welcome “Friends of Impact100 DC” and are thrilled when an individual or a foundation wants to help us with our annual operating expenses through monetary donations or in-kind service donations. Our costs are held to a minimum as much as possible since we are an all-volunteer organization. You may also contribute to our Fellowship Program or sponsor another member.