Impact 100 Palm Beach County’s founders, (l-r) Lisa Mulhall, Cindy Krebsbach and Tandy Robinson, attend the Grand Awards Celebration in April. Impact 100 has awarded more than $8.5 million to local nonprofits in 15 years of service. Photo provided by Warner Prokos Photography
During its milestone 15th year, Impact 100 Palm Beach County has awarded major funding totaling $865,000 to a group of nonprofit organizations that serve southern Palm Beach County. The grants were presented April 28 at its annual Grand Awards Celebration at Boca West Country Club.
“This is what 15 years of collective giving looks like,” said Janean Mileusnic, president of Impact 100 Palm Beach County. “It’s women coming together, believing in something bigger, and making real, measurable impact across our community.”
The annual event spotlights organizations that are tackling some of the region’s most pressing needs across five focus areas.
Recipients of $100,000 grants by focus area are:
Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation
• Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts (Fragments Reimagined: Transforming Life’s Broken Pieces into Beauty and Purpose)
Education
• Back to Basics Inc. (Back to Basics Uniform Expansion Project)
• Best Foot Forward Foundation Inc. (Foundations Spark Lab)
Environment & Animal Welfare
• Healthy Aquatics Marine Institute of Florida Inc. doing business as The Reef Institute (Rebuilding Reefs Delray to Boca)
Family
• CityHouse-Delray Beach Inc. (The Children’s Home and Hope)
• The Jacob S. Zweig Foundation doing business as In Jacob’s Shoes (Sneakers Outfitted for Scholars and Athletes)
Health & Wellness
• St. Ann Place Outreach Center (The Homeless Outreach Program in Boynton Beach)
• The Soup Kitchen Inc. (TSK Meals on Wheels South)
Since its founding, Impact 100 Palm Beach County has invested more than $8.5 million into the community, funding high-impact initiatives that continue to expand access, opportunity and support for local residents.
Apply now for funding from Quantum Foundation
Quantum Foundation is calling on local grassroots nonprofits to apply for funding through its Quantum in the Community program, now in its 16th year of supporting organizations that meet the most essential needs across Palm Beach County.
Applications for the 2026 cycle opened June 1 and close Aug. 2, with $1.25 million available to eligible nonprofits.
Through QIC, Quantum provides funding to organizations addressing basic needs such as food, shelter, transportation, clothing and financial assistance — factors that play a vital role in overall health and well-being.
In 2025, Quantum Foundation awarded $1.25 million to 140 grassroots organizations across the county. To date, QIC has invested millions in local nonprofits working on the front lines of community health.
Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations that have been operating in the county for at least six months and have annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less.
The foundation also will accept nominations for the Marie Thorpe Above & Beyond Award, which is a $2,500 award, with an additional $2,500 granted to the winner’s nominating organization.
Grant recipients will be announced in the third week of October and will be recognized at the annual Quantum in the Community Awards Breakfast on Nov. 17, at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.
Toasts, Tastes & Trolleys event returns Sept. 18
The Boca Raton Historical Society and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum announce the return of Toasts, Tastes & Trolleys on Sept. 18, an interactive evening celebrating Boca Raton’s history through curated experiences, culinary stops and guided trolley tours.
This end-of-summer tradition provides vintage-style trolleys for a progressive night out, traveling to local destinations for light bites, cocktails and storytelling that highlights the history of Boca Raton.
Proceeds support the Boca Raton Historical Society’s mission to preserve and share the city’s history through exhibitions, educational programming and community initiatives.
Dancers announced for Boca’s Ballroom Battle
The dancers have been announced for the 2026 Boca’s Ballroom Battle, to take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 7 in The Boca Raton’s Grand Ballroom. Now in its 19th year, Boca’s Ballroom Battle remains the George Snow Scholarship Fund’s largest annual event, bringing together community leaders for an evening of dance, philanthropy and friendly competition.
Eight local business and community leaders are paired with professional dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Boca Raton. After months of training and fundraising, the dancers will compete on stage for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.
The dancer lineup is: Ross Bloom, CEO of the biostation; Michael Boggiano, co-founder and managing partner of WealthCare Financial; Namrata Israni Bajaj, social media manager and content creator for Ngagemint; Mario Muñoz, managing member, Muñoz Photography; David Rosenberg, founder and CEO, Rosenberg Diamonds; Heather Rouffe, owner and director of sales, Atlas Event Rental; Selines Silverio, founder and CEO, Silverio Exito Consulting; and Nikki Stelzer, a stay-at-home mom and member of the Junior League of Boca Raton.
Florida Atlantic University receives $1.5 million gift
Florida Atlantic University has received a $1.5 million estate gift from Leif Carlsson, Ph.D., and Seija Carlsson to provide scholarships and program support for students studying ocean and mechanical engineering and biology.
Through this gift, the Carlssons will support students who share their passion for the fields they pursued.
“This university has been very good for both of us,” Leif Carlsson said. “FAU is very vibrant with a great diversity of students, and it has been inspiring to work with them. It’s a very good feeling to make this gift.”
The gift establishes the Leif Carlsson Engineering Scholarship Endowment, to provide scholarships for students majoring in ocean and mechanical engineering, and the Seija Carlsson Biology Scholarship Endowment, to provide scholarships to biology majors. A portion of the gift will provide resources for student clubs and competitive teams within the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, including Owls Racing, the Marine Robotics Club, the Human Powered Submarine team and the Aerospace Experimental Association.
Historical Society to host Summer Sips & Sounds
The Boca Raton Historical Society and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum, in collaboration with Festival of the Arts Boca, are bringing back the Summer Sips & Sounds series with music, history and community through curated live performances.
Each program draws inspiration from a distinct era of American music, offering a unique blend of storytelling, ambiance and connection.
Sips & Sounds lineup:
• July 2: Celebrate America: 250 Years in Song
Marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, this patriotic program will showcase iconic songs that reflect the American spirit — honoring history, unity and the evolving soundtrack of a nation.
• Aug. 20: Timeless Standards: The Songs of the 1930s
Experience the elegance of the 1930s through beloved standards that continue to resonate today, featuring enduring melodies that defined an era of classic songwriting.
• Sept. 17: Seventies by the Sea
Close out the series with a coastal-inspired tribute to the 1970s, blending feel-good favorites with laid-back summer energy.
The museum is at 71 N. Federal Highway. Additional details, including ticket information, event times, and featured performers, will be announced soon.
Annual Mayors Ball set for Oct. 24 at The Boca Raton
“Celebrating Boca’s Future” is the theme of this year’s Mayors Ball, to be held Oct. 24 at The Boca Raton. It is hosted by the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton, and all proceeds will benefit up to 20 local nonprofits.
Emcees will be Rotarians Alex Price and Amy Kemp. They will recognize the winners of four awards named in honor of three former mayors and the legendary Addison Mizner:
• The George Long Award (Large Business Category) pays homage to the city’s first mayor and will be presented to CP Group. In 40 years in business, CP Group has acquired, repositioned and operated more than 170 office and mixed-use properties. CP Group’s most notable holding is the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, historic home of IBM and the first PC, now housing dozens of companies. Founder and managing partner Angelo Bianco will receive the award.
• The J.C. Mitchell Award (Small Business Category) honors the city’s longest-serving mayor during its most turbulent time (the Great Depression and World War II). The award recognizes the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University. What began in 1985 is now recognized as South Florida’s innovation laboratory, bringing new discoveries to market. The Research Park encompasses 70 acres with 400,000 square feet of innovation that produces a $610 million impact on the local economy. Research Park President Andrew Duffell will accept the award.
• The Susan Whelchel Award (Best Nonprofit) is named after a beloved mayor who served six years and added much to the city in terms of education, art and economic development. The recipient is the Child Rescue Coalition, an international nonprofit headquartered in Boca Raton.
CRC develops innovative technology, provided at no cost to law enforcement worldwide, to help prevent child abuse and exploitation and combat online sexual predators. To date, CRC’s technology has contributed to the arrests of more than 17,000 internet child predators globally, and the safeguarding of thousands of children. CEO Greg Schiller will accept the award.
• The Addison Mizner Award (Individual) reflects the enriching and enthusiastic spirit of Boca Raton’s most iconic resident from a century ago, whose name adorns many public places. The award is being presented to Daniel Hostettler, president and CEO, The Boca Raton. Since 2021, Hostettler has championed a monumental transformation of the city’s most treasured and valuable property into a world-class destination. Celebrating its centennial after being opened by Mizner in 1926, The Boca Raton is the only resort in the Americas to earn quadruple five-star status from the Forbes Travel Guide.
Single-ticket sales start Sept. 1. Corporate sponsorships are now available. Contact Bob Tucker at 561-289-0436 or 522btucker@gmail.com for a sponsorship packet.
Proceeds from last year’s event were distributed through Rotary’s Service Above Self grant program. Local nonprofits awarded SAS grants were Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse; American Association of Caregiving Youth; American Disabilities Foundation; Bigger Than Sports; Boca Ballet Theatre; Boca Raton Achievement Center; City House; Faulk Center for Counseling; Friendship House; The Hab Center; In Jacob’s Shoes; JARC Florida; Kindness Matters; Marine Education Initiative; Morning Day Community Solutions; No White Flags; Propel Inc.; Spirit of Giving Network; Sweet Dream Makers; Tomorrow’s Rainbow; Twin Palms Center, and Villages of Hope.
Family help program starts in Palm Beach, Broward
Community Based Connections Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development, family strengthening and community empowerment services to underserved populations, has launched H.E.A.R.T. — Helping Every Area of Relationships Thrive — a family strengthening program in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
This new five-year initiative, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, will help adults and couples strengthen relationships, improve parenting, and build family stability through workshops, personalized support, and services including child care, transportation and counseling.
Families in Broward and Palm Beach counties are eligible, including single parents, co-parenting partners, married or unmarried couples, expectant parents, and adults seeking to strengthen relationships, communication or family dynamics. There are no income restrictions, and participants may self-refer or be referred by partner agencies.
Participants receive:
• Relationship and parenting workshops (curriculum-based, at least 12 hours).
• Individualized case management and goal planning.
• Wraparound support such as child care, transportation and mental health counseling.
• An annual couples retreat and family building events.
• Job and career advancement support, in partnership with local organizations.
• Support with co-parenting, communication and conflict resolution.
For more information, call 954-643-6298, send an email to getconnected@communitybasedconnections.com, or visit communitybased
connections.com.
Send news, photos and notes to Lou Ann Frala at philanthropy@thecoastalstar.com.
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