Impact100 Garden State is an all-women volunteer organization that combines member donations to make large grants to local nonprofits within our five-county area, which includes Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union. Each year, members’ donations are pooled to award a high-impact transformational grant of at least $100,000 to nonprofit(s) that are selected through a rigorous grant review process and a membership vote. One hundred percent of members’ $1,000 donations are used to fund grants.

We seek to fund extraordinary programs in five focus areas: Arts & Culture; Education; Children & Family; Health & Wellness; and Environment, Recreation & Preservation. Thanks to our collective giving, since our initial grant year in 2013, Impact100 Garden State has awarded more than $4 million to nonprofits in our service area.

We offer two membership levels:
100% Membership = $1,000 or 110% Membership = $1,100. Both levels earn you a vote at the Annual Awards Meeting in June.

The extra $100 from the 110% membership is applied to our operating expenses—things like printing, software, website, and account management fees. We are grateful to the women who contribute an additional $100 because it enables us to continue directing every penny of the regular membership fee to our grants.

In 2023, we began our Evergreen program, in which membership is automatically renewed and charged to your credit card or bank account each year on the anniversary of your payment. You may cancel at any time.

Interested in an installment plan? Members have the option of making four consecutive monthly online installments of $250 (or more) each, starting no later than November 30. Participation in the installment plan is not available to Evergreen members. To learn more, please contact us at member@impact100gardenstate.org.

Find these and other payment options on our Membership page.

You can join any time. However, you must join by January 31 if you want to be able to vote on the grants for that year. Of course, women who join after January 31 may participate in our social and educational events and serve on most of our committees right away.

We welcome a company-sponsored membership by your employer. We also offer a Fellowship Program for women who want to become actively engaged members and understand and believe in the mission and model of Impact100 Garden State but who may not be able to fund a membership on their own. Potential sponsors and potential fellows can find more about the program on our website here.  Questions? Don't hesitate to email us at member@impact100gardenstate.org.

Once you become a member, you design your own membership experience. You are under no obligation to take on any responsibilities, though we certainly hope all eligible members will vote on our grants.

In addition, as a volunteer-driven organization, we rely on member expertise and enthusiasm. We encourage everyone to volunteer on one of our teams or consider joining the Leadership Team.

For more information, please visit our Volunteer Opportunities page or email us at member@impact100gardenstate.org to get more involved.

Yes. Impact100 Garden State is a special project fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ), which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means 100% of your membership contribution is tax-deductible.

We gratefully accept employer-matching gifts. Donations matching your membership contribution double your impact and help us cover program and operating costs.

Remember: some employers will also provide matching donations for spouses or retirees.

If you are an Evergreen member and wish to update your credit card or bank information, email us at member@impact100gardenstate.org and we will provide you with a secure link to update your information directly. If you wish to cancel your upcoming Evergreen payment, let us know at member@impact100gardenstate.organd we will cancel the recurring payment.

Joining Impact100 Garden State enables you to connect and collaborate with a diverse and amazing group of women; learn about the local nonprofit community; leverage your individual donation into something big, meaningful, and sustainable; and have fun while doing good. Often, members become actively involved with organizations they learn about through Impact100 Garden State, serving as board members and volunteers. In addition, members learn more about ways they can increase their personal philanthropic efforts.

When you join Impact100 Garden State, you become part of the fastest growing movement in philanthropy! There are now more than 60 Impact100 chapters in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, and we have collectively awarded $123 million in grants to nonprofits so far.

We welcome you to become a Friend of Impact100 Garden State by making a tax-deductible donation, in any amount, to support our efforts. Although they do not provide voting rights, these donations help cover program and operating expenses that are essential to accomplishing our mission, growing our membership, awarding grants, and assuring our sustainability. Simply follow the instructions on our Support Us page to donate.