New Orleans (November 14, 2022) – Impact 100, an initiative of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, announced that this year’s $100,000 transformative grant will be awarded to TrainingGrounds, Inc. Impact 100, a women’s giving circle now in its tenth year, is a group of over one hundred local women who commit to giving $1,100 for the purpose of making a single transformative grant to a local nonprofit. Recipient nonprofits will use the grant to deepen their impact and grow their network of supporters. Since its inaugural year ten years ago, Impact 100 has granted out more than $1 million to nonprofits across our region.
“It is both a thrill and a privilege to see the extraordinary commitment of the Impact 100 membership every year, but particularly this year as they round out a decade of collective giving,” said Andy Kopplin, President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “Through their dedication and generosity, these women leaders have distributed over $1 million to support our community, ultimately helping 45 deserving nonprofits throughout our region. This year’s $100,000 award to TrainingGrounds, Inc., will certainly be instrumental in the organization’s sustainability moving forward. Congratulations to the winner and runners-up and thank you to the membership for all that they do.” On Wednesday, November 10, members heard presentations from the selected nonprofits. The women of Impact 100 voted this year to hear pitches from the categories of Education, Women & Girls, Youth Development, and Workforce Development. The membership heard pitches from TrainingGrounds, Inc., Daughters Beyond Incarceration, The Roots of Music, and Louisiana Green Corps. Each of the runners up received a $5,000 grant as well as pitch training and a profile video created by our nonprofit partner NOVAC – which can be viewed, along with each nonprofit’s pitch, on our YouTube page. On Monday, November 14, staff members of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, alongside Villere & Co. and members of this year’s Impact 100 advisory committee, went to TrainingGrounds’ headquarters to notify the nonprofit that they were the $100,000 grant winner. View the winner notification video here. “I’m incredibly proud to represent the women of Impact 100 in celebrating the winning organization with their award,” said Geneva-Longlois Marney, Impact 100 Advisory Chair. “To witness the work of TrainingGrounds is remarkable. The staff care deeply for our city’s youngest children and their caregivers. The work done through the WePlay, WeCoach, and WeConnect programs sets these young students and their families up for success during early childhood and beyond. Thank you to the women of Impact 100 for making this transformational gift possible.” “We are honored to have won Impact 100 this year,” said Melanie Richardson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of TrainingGrounds, Inc. “This gift is a huge investment not only for children, but for the families who so deeply impact them. So often, we invest in children-focused programming – but to invest in parents and families – now that is the gift that keeps on giving. The $100,000 will help us in opening a second location in New Orleans to broaden our reach and advance our mission. Thank you, Impact 100!” Impact 100 2022 was generously sponsored by Villere & Co. “Thanks to the Greater New Orleans Foundation and congratulations to TrainingGrounds, Inc. for their work with creating learning experiences for children and families throughout New Orleans.” said George Young, Partner & Portfolio Manager at Villere & Co. “The nominees are all winners, and our city is so much better for the work they all do. Congratulations to Impact 100 at their ten-year anniversary.
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About the Greater New Orleans Foundation:
With roots extending nearly 100 years, the Greater New Orleans Foundation connects generous people to the causes that spark their passion. As one of the most trusted philanthropic organizations in the region, we work every day to drive positive impact through philanthropy, leadership and action in our thirteen-parish region. In addition to grantmaking, we convene people, resources, and ideas to create intelligent strategies and solutions to meet our region’s greatest challenges. We are proud to serve as a vocal civic leader with our partners to ensure a vibrant, sustainable, and just region for all. Learn more at www.gnof.org.