We are committed to a thorough, objective, and confidential review of each application. 

To promote thoroughness, we train grant reviewers on the eligibility criteria and the characteristics of strong applications.  

To promote objectivity, we make sure that no grant reviewer receives an application where she or an immediate family member has a relationship with an applicant. 

To promote confidentiality, all grant reviewers affirm in writing that they will not share their discussions outside their committee, not even with Impact100 Garden State leadership.  

AREAS WE SUPPORT

Click on each icon to see category description

Arts & Culture

Children & Families

Education

Environment, Preservation & Recreation

Health &
Wellness

KEY DATES IN OUR PROCESS

Calendar_FINAL-02 - UPDATED

  • November: Grant application and training materials posted.
  • Mid-January: Deadline for online grant submissions.
  • Early April: All applicants will be notified about the status of their application.
  • May: Grant finalists are announced publicly. Finalists prepare videos and written summaries for a membership vote. Impact100 Garden State will provide the technology and offer guidance for developing the information for a membership vote. Member vote begins.
  • Early June: Members complete online voting. Annual Awards Meeting announces the results of the member vote for grant recipients.

GRANT ELIGIBILITY

We are looking for projects or programs that:

  • Target underserved populations.
  • Address an unmet need.
  • Will use the funds for a new or future expansion of a program (as opposed to general operating expenses).
  • Define clear benefits for the target population.
  • Plan to use the full $100,000 grant within three years.
  • Meet all Inclusion Criteria noted below. 
  • Comply with all Exclusion Criteria noted below. 

Organizations eligible for an Impact100 Garden State grant must:

  • Be in operation as a 501(c)(3) Public Charity for a minimum of 24 months before they apply. 
  • Submit the most recent IRS Form 990 including Schedule A (not applicable to faith-based organizations).
  • Submit the two most recent audited or reviewed financial statements.
  • Submit the most recent Balance Sheet, P&L, and Cash Flow Statement for the period beyond the most recent audited or review financial statement. 
  • Request funding for a proposal related to at least one of our focus areas:  Arts & Culture; Children & Families; Education; Environment, Preservation & Recreation; or Health & Wellness
  • Explain how all Impact100 Garden State funding will serve residents of Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and/or Union counties. (Headquarters can be located outside of these counties.)
  • If your proposal requires cooperation from another organization, such as a school district or hospital, we ask you to identify the organization on your application. If your application advances for consideration as a finalist, we will require a Letter of Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from the organization. This letter/memorandum indicates that the collaborating partner will fulfill the needs of the applicant to implement the proposal. 
  • If your proposal requires permissions, such as zoning approvals or variances, these requirements should be included in your application. If your application advances for consideration as a finalist, we will ask for additional information.   

Impact100 Garden State encourages two or more 501(c)(3) organizations to work together on a proposal that is supported by the $100,000 grant. For details, see "May more than one organization apply together and share the $100,000 grant" in our FAQs.

We do not provide funding for: 

  • Debt reduction or operational deficits.
  • General operating expenses or overhead (except as a realistic, necessary component of a project budget).
  • Endowment funding.
  • Interim or bridge funding.
  • Partisan, legislative, or political activity.
  • Faith-based projects or programs that require beneficiaries to participate in activities of a particular faith, denomination, or religion.
  • Capital campaigns.
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