Carrie Rubin and Terry Fedele are the chairwomen for the Impact 100 Palm Beach County Grand Awards Celebration. Impact 100 has donated nearly $8 million via 124 grants to area nonprofits since 2012. Photo provided
By Lou Ann Frala
Impact 100 Palm Beach County, now in its 15th year, unites a collective of women annually with a common aspiration: change the lives of residents who are served by local nonprofit organizations. Simple, right?
The diverse group, whose membership fluctuates and evolves each year, has given nearly $8 million via 124 grants to area nonprofits since 2012.
On April 28, the end of the fundraising year for the group, grant finalists across five categories — family; education; art, culture and historic preservation; health and wellness; environment and animal welfare — will make their presentations and learn the members’ decisions on awarding top grants of $100,000.
A record 120 groups bid to make the finals.
“Celebrating 15 years of Impact 100 Palm Beach County at our Grand Awards is both a milestone and a moment of momentum,” said Co-Chairwoman Carrie Rubin. “What began as a shared vision among women committed to meaningful philanthropy has grown into a powerful force for change — nearly $8 million invested in our community to date.
“This anniversary year is a testament to what’s possible when women come together with purpose, and it inspires us to think even bigger about the impact we can make in the years ahead.”
The collective touts a “zero-to-hero” membership model. Each year begins a clean slate as women from across southern Palm Beach County are sought to either recommit or join anew, pledging a minimum of $1,000 each toward that promise of potentially transformative grants for local projects.
“Projects” is the key word, says Impact 100 Communications Director Lisa Sunshine. Grants are awarded based on the specifics of the finalists’ projects, regardless of the name or pedigree of the applicant. “Small name but big project? We try to look for projects that are truly transformational.”
The record number of applications shows that there’s “a lot of need out there. At least one grant will be given in each of the five categories.”
“As we celebrate 15 years of Impact 100 Palm Beach County at the Grand Awards, what stands out most is the extraordinary ripple effect of collective giving,” said Co-Chairwoman Terry Fedele. “Each grant represents not just funding but belief — in organizations, in innovation, and in the future of our community. This milestone year is a powerful reminder that when women come together with intention, the impact is both immediate and enduring.”
The distinguishing aspect of receiving money from Impact 100 PBC is that it comes with a grant management team, Sunshine says. The money, given in increments over a two-year term, is tracked and monitored. “We manage our own grants. Every woman’s money is going to a project that’s going to make a real impact.”
If You Go
What: Impact 100 Palm Beach County Grand Awards Celebration
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 28
Where: Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton
Cost: $100 for nonmembers
Information: 561-336-4623; RSVP by April 16 via impact100pbc.org
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