Impact 100, an initiative of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, announced that its $100,000 transformative grant was awarded this year to TrainingGrounds, Inc. Impact 100, a giving circle now in its tenth year, is a group of over one hundred local women who committed 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, 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.”
Winner Notification
On Monday, November 14, staff members of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, alongside sponsors Villere & Co. and members of this year’s Impact 100 advisory committee went to TrainingGrounds’ headquarters to notify the nonprofit that they were the 2022 Impact 100 $100,000 grant winner!
“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!”
“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.”
View the winner notification video below:
Kick-off + Speaker Event
On Wednesday, October 19, the membership of Impact 100 2022 gathered to formally kick off this year’s activities and participate and engage with the keynote speaker, CEO of Feeding America, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. Her remarks on how she’s forged her own path in the nonprofit sector and what it means to be a philanthropic leader left the audience feeling inspired, encouraged, and energized. Read more about the kick-off event here.
Pitch Event | Meet the Nonprofit Leaders
On Wednesday, November 9, 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, below.
Education: TrainingGrounds, Inc.
Women & Girls: Daughters Beyond Incarceration
Youth Development: The Roots of Music
Workforce Development: Louisiana Green Corps
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.
Want to Know More?
To learn how you can participate in Impact 100 next year, please contact Natasha Walker, Development Officer at the Greater New Orleans Foundation at natasha@gnof.org.