Impact100 Metro Detroit Project Grant

Geographic Scope: Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties, Michigan

Impact100 Metro Detroit awards one $100,000 grant annually (or multiple grants depending on membership). For every 100 women who donate $1,000 each, one $100,000 grant is awarded. The organization has awarded over $1.8 million since 2016.

Focus Areas

Grant projects must fit into ONE of five focus areas:

• Arts and Culture: Projects that foster greater exposure or participation in arts and culture (including culinary arts), or use arts as a medium for creative expression. Includes art classes and education.
• Education: Projects that expand or improve learning, primarily for children, with focus on literacy improvement, tutoring and mentoring, GED equivalency programs, and college prep.
• Family and Individual Support: Projects supporting individuals and families with focus on housing, transportation, living wage, food insecurity, job skills training, or other basic needs.
• Health and Wellness: Projects that improve physical and/or mental health, foster healthy living habits, or implement/expand life skills programs promoting independent living.
• Revitalization, Recreation and Environment: Projects to revitalize/create community spaces (gardens, greenhouses), support environmental awareness, promote sustainable relationships between people and environment, and promote animal welfare.

Organization Eligibility

• Must be classified as a "Public Charity" with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code (individuals and private foundations are NOT eligible)
• Located in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb County
• At least three full fiscal years of financial statements (audited or reviewed preferred)
• At least three years of completed tax filings
• NOT a recipient of an Impact100 Metro Detroit project grant ($100,000) in the past three grant cycles

Preferences for Organizations

• Annual operating budgets of at least $300,000 and below $5,000,000
• Not affiliated with larger national or regional parent organization
• Innovative mission and approach creating long-lasting community impact
• Have a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy
• Board/leadership team that reflects the population the project will serve

Project Eligibility

Project must:

• Be transformational - create a new program, expand existing program, or create new/expanded collaboration
• Fit within one of five focus areas listed above
• Serve residents and expend funds primarily in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County
• Have a total project budget of at least $100,000
• Expend funds within 18 months of award

Preferences for projects:

• Target underserved populations
• Highlight unmet needs in community
• Have clear sustainability plan for outcomes delivery after grant funding ends
• Measurable and high impact on beneficiaries
• Provide majority of funding for entire project or specific carve-out
• Allocate 15% or less of total grant funds to overhead/salary expenses for project

What Will NOT Be Funded

• Debt reduction, operating deficits, interim/bridge funding, or endowment funding
• Activities that are religious or political in nature
• Fund drives, annual appeals, fundraising events, or general capital campaigns
• Individuals or private foundations
• Projects that only provide current services to current beneficiaries for another year

Process & Timeline

• Grant funding amount determined by: Number of women who join Impact100 Metro Detroit by April 15 each year
• Application window: Early December through late January
• Review process: Applications reviewed by focus area committees (Impact100 members). Narrowed to semifinalists. Site visits conducted.
• Mid-April: Finalist organizations selected and notified
• Big Give Event: Finalist organizations present to full membership; members vote on grant recipients
• Timeline: Members typically recommended to attend Grant Application Training Session in late fall

Background

Impact100 Metro Detroit is a chapter of Impact100 Global, founded in July 2015 by a visionary group of women committed to collective giving and community transformation.

Application Process

Application Window:

• Opens: Early December each year
• Closes: Late January each year
• Note: The 2026 grant application window is currently closed. The 2027 grant application will open in December 2026.

Application Steps:

1. Review eligibility criteria and giving guidelines carefully
2. Attend Grant Application Training Session (typically held in late fall)
3. Submit grant proposal through application portal during open window
4. Application is reviewed by focus area committees comprised of Impact100 Metro Detroit members
5. Committees narrow applications down to semifinalists
6. Site visits conducted for semifinalist organizations
7. Finalist organizations selected and notified (mid-April)
8. Finalists invited to attend Big Give event
9. Nonprofit leaders present projects to full membership at Big Give event
10. Grant recipients determined by member vote and announced at event

Required Materials:

• Grant proposal (specific format not detailed in available materials)
• Financial statements (three full fiscal years; audited or reviewed preferred)
• Tax filings (three years completed)

Application Submission:

• Applications submitted through online application portal
• Portal opens early December and closes late January

Important Notes:

• To ensure fair and equitable process, Impact100 Metro Detroit does NOT meet with nonprofits on an individual basis
• Training video available covering: Impact100 MD grant process, eligibility requirements, annual timeline, and tips for writing grant application
• Training slideshow/presentation available for download

Support Available:

• Grant training video
• Grant training slideshow (downloadable presentation)
• Grant Application Training Session (late fall)
• Email support for questions: grants@impact100metrodetroit.org

Optional:

• Join nonprofit mailing list for updates and information