Core Mission Grant

Geographic Scope: Philadelphia region

Focus Areas: Five focus areas:

• Arts & Culture
• Education
• Environment
• Family
• Health & Wellness

Program Overview

Core Mission grants provide funding for new or expanded primary programs, necessary improvements in infrastructure and/or other initiatives that will strengthen the work of the nonprofit. This represents IMPACT100's shift from project-specific grants to core mission grants, reflecting a trust-based grantmaking approach that empowers nonprofits to determine where funding is best used.

Organization Background

Established: 2008
Mission: Engage women in philanthropy and collectively fund high-impact grants to nonprofits in the Philadelphia region through collective giving (women pool $1,000 contributions)
Total Giving to Date: Over $2.3 million since founding

Eligibility

• Must be a nonprofit organization serving the Philadelphia region
• Specific eligibility criteria available on website at "Eligibility & Funding Priorities" section

Application Process

• Applications submitted through SlideRoom online platform
• Two-stage process: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) first, then Full Proposal for selected organizations
• Site visits conducted to selected applicants
• Member-reviewed proposals at heart of grants process
• Finalists present at annual member meeting for voting

Additional Notes

• Women's collective giving organization
• Member-driven evaluation and selection process
• Represents trust-based grantmaking philosophy

Application Process

1. Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
   • Initial application stage
   • Submit through SlideRoom online platform
   • PDF version available for review on website
   • Note: LOI PDF was modified as of November 27 (applicants should download updated version)
2. Selected LOIs Move to Full Proposal Stage
   • Organizations selected from LOI stage invited to submit full proposal
   • Full Proposal PDF available on website
   • Submitted through SlideRoom
3. Site Visits
   • Selected applicants subject to site visits by committee members
   • Determines merit and strengthens evaluation
4. Committee Review
   • Applications reviewed by Focus Area Committee (FAC) teams
   • Each team reviews 3-4 proposals
   • Teams meet in members' homes or suitable locations
   • Financial Review Panel members provide expertise
5. Finalist Selection
   • Each Focus Area selects one finalist
   • Finalists present at annual member meeting
6. Member Voting
   • Impact100 members vote on grantees
   • Annual meeting held in June

Submission Requirements

• Register SlideRoom profile as 'Organization/Group' NOT as 'Individual'
• All applications submitted through SlideRoom
• Complete LOI and Full Proposal forms

Required Materials

• Organization information
• Project/program description
• Budget information
• Impact metrics
• (Specific narrative questions and detailed requirements available in SlideRoom and PDF application forms)

Contact for Questions

Email: grants@impact100philly.org