By TAPINTO MILLBURN/SHORT HILLS STAFF
July 25, 2017 at 9:20 PM

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/millburn-slash-short-hills/articles/short-hills-residents-looking-to-make-a-big-impac


Cathy Rowe (Maplewood); Mayuri Chandra and Kate Shoemaker (Short Hills), Helen Mazarakis (Montclair). Impact 100 Essex grant committee at work,
Credits: Margo Greenfield

Impact100 Grants Committee at work. Cathy Rowe (Maplewood); Margo Greenfield, Mayuri Chandra and Kate Shoemaker (Short Hills)
Credits: Margo Greenfield


NEWARK, NJ - Ten Short Hills residents joined forces with Impact 100 Essex to provide one local non-profit with a $100,000 high-impact grant. Impact100 Essex is based on a national model in which 100 women each contribute $1,000 to fund a one-time grant to a local non-profit organization addressing the needs of underserved populations. The group will begin to accept applications from Essex County non-profits on September 5.
After a multi-step review process, members will vote on the $100,000 grant at a full membership meeting in early 2018. "Impact grants give groups serving local communities an opportunity to achieve something remarkable in the face of reduced availability of public financing," said organizer Margo Greenfield.
Impact100 programs across the United States have raised more than $33 million for local, non-profit organizations since 2001. Further information for non-profit organizations interested in being considered for a future grant, or in being on Impact100 Essex's mailing list, is available at www.impact100essex.org.

"To contribute to worthy organizations as individuals is certainly well worth the time and energy," said Bonnie Carter, a member from West Orange. "But Impact100 Essex offers the opportunity to have a more hands-on role in a major, transformative grant. It's a truly unique opportunity for local women who want to give back."
The group's founders were determined that Essex County's rich diversity and many neighborhoods be reflected in the membership, which now includes members from 14 towns across the County.
"This is a chance for Essex County women to meet and work with other women and to do something positive and productive together," said Helen Mazarakis, Grant Committee Chair. "We're building a community both among the members and with those who will be served by our upcoming transformative grant."
The group is accepting members until July 31. Details about Impact100 Essex membership is available at www.impact100essex.org.