Three other nonprofit finalists will split $52,000 awarded by women philanthropists
METRO DETROIT – Impact100 Metro Detroit named nonprofit organizations
Developing KIDS and Freedom House as the recipients of two $100,000 grants during
today’s annual Big Give event. An additional $52,000 will be divided among the
remaining finalists, Accent Pontiac, Brilliant Detroit and LifeBUILDERS, making this
event the biggest Big Give in the foundation’s six-year history.
“This wasn’t an easy decision for our 252 members – we were all so moved by the
incredible work these organizations do in the community and beyond impressed with the
proposals we received for this year’s Big Give,” said Amy Bouque, president of
Impact100 Metro Detroit, which unites women philanthropists to award high-impact
grants to local nonprofits and fuel transformation in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne
counties. “We know our grant dollars will have an enormous impact on these nonprofit
heroes.”
In its proposal, Developing KIDS seeks to operate its programs in a new teen drop-in
center in Detroit for youth from ages 3 to 24. The funds will also allow for the creation of
a new early childhood program, with a focus on year-round literacy intervention.
Freedom House will use the funds to redesign their front yard to create a shared
community space that will foster positive well-being among residents and neighbors
alike; give children a safe, fenced-in area in which to play, and add to the beautification
of the neighborhood.
Grant applications were submitted by local nonprofits in early February and vetted by
Impact100 Metro Detroit members, who conducted financial reviews and virtual site
visits before narrowing down the list to five finalists. Prior to today’s event, each finalist
presented their grant proposal to the members who then cast their votes for the
recipients of the top two grants. The winners were revealed live during the event, which
was held in a hybrid format via livestream and also in-person outdoors at the War
Memorial in Grosse Pointe.
The Big Give also featured a local artist who created a mural to capture the joy of
collective giving, which will be repurposed into wearable art for purchase by Rebel Nell, a Detroit-based, women-owned, mission-driven company that provides employment, equitable opportunity and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment.
The jewelry can be purchased here: https://www.rebelnell.com/collections/impact-100.
Impact100 Metro Detroit was founded in 2016. Each year, members donate $1,000
toward a collective grant of $100,000, which is awarded to the nonprofit finalist(s) who
receive the most member votes.
“Across the country, Impact100 organizations empower women as philanthropists to
pool their resources and deliver a greater impact to their community,” Bouque said. “Our
chapter was the first in Michigan and we’ve experienced exponential membership
growth in the last five years. We’ve awarded more than $860,000 in grants since our
inception.”
Past recipients of Impact100 Metro Detroit’s Big Give grants include The Lawn
Academy, Micah 6 Community, Zaman International, Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan,
Downtown Boxing Gym and The Empowerment Plan.