Impact100 Sonoma is a nonprofit women's giving circle organization based in Sonoma, California, United States. The organization awards one grant of $100,000 and multiple grants of up to $20,000 to Sonoma Valley non-profits every year. In 2019, Impact100 Sonoma awarded $100,000 to the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center for their Sonoma Valley Vision Clinic, and an additional $225,000 to other regional non-profits. Aside from being a grantmaking organization, Impact100 Sonoma also does community outreach, in which they educate Sonoma Valley residents and non-profits about philanthropy and related subjects.
History
In 2009, Christine Dohrmann and Annette Lomont co-founded Impact100 Sonoma. The idea for the organization stemmed from Lomont, whose niece founded Impact100 Philadelphia, a women's giving circle. Lomont described the concept as "very democratic and very powerful," and Dorhmann proposed the idea of starting Impact100 Sonoma. Lomont and Dohrmann promoted the idea to their friends and in August 2009, they hosted an open meeting for Sonoma Valley women to attend. Over 50 women attended the first meeting. By December, they had over 100 members. The mission of the organization focused on bringing together 100 women in Sonoma Valley to donate $1,000 each. Once a year, Impact100 would award one $100,000 grant to a Sonoma Valley nonprofit. Women who donate $1,000 or more are awarded one vote to decide on the receiving organization. Donors who make smaller grants are called Friends. Friends do not have voting rights. Voting takes place in May, each year. As of 2019, the organization had 319 members, and has awarded $2,386,000 to Sonoma Valley nonprofits in 10 years.
Administration
Impact100 Sonoma is registered as a 501 organization as Women Giving As One, Inc. As of 2019, the organization was led by a president, treasurer, secretary, and thirteen board members. They have one part-time employee and 319 members. Meetings are held at various places throughout Sonoma Valley.
Mission & Vision
Initiatives
Grantmaking
Impact100 awards several types of grants. The high impact, $100,000 grant which is awarded to one nonprofit, and community grants, which are smaller awards granted to local nonprofits based on specific needs. The community grants fall into three categories: capital needs, innovation, and planning for strategic partnering/collaboration. Before the vote takes place, Impact100 Sonoma holds a meeting at which applying organizations present about their needs. Past recipients of the high impact grant include the La Luz Center in 2012, Sonoma Valley Teen Services in 2011, and the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley in 2010. The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation, Friends in Sonoma Helping, Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, Sonoma Community Center, The Mentoring Alliance, the Woman's Initiative for Self-Employment, and the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance are all former recipients of community grants.
Outreach and education
The organization also holds workshops about philanthropy and grants. Sonoma Valley nonprofits are invited to participate, specifically those interested in applying for Impact100 Sonoma grants. Workshops teach attendees how to apply for grants, how to write letters of inquiry, and more. Other workshops have focused on nonprofits partnering together to apply for grants based on collaborative projects.
