SJWomen100, Author at Impact100 South Jersey

08Jul 2021 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Janet Garraty

Meet Janet Garraty, Director of the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce, and new member of Impact100 South Jersey this year. Janet first heard about Impact100 from Kyle Ruffin, whom she’s known for several years. And she knew she wanted to become a member even before she attended a virtual member cultivation information session last fall. What intrigued Janet the most about Impact100? “I enjoy collaborating with women of high leadership quality who know how to make a difference in our world, whether through volunteering or working. And networking with other members is important to my role as Chamber Director, enhancing our ability to positively influence the economic, civic and cultural wellbeing of our community.” Since graduating from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) with a bachelor’s degree in Law and Justice, Janet has enjoyed…

25Jun 2021 by SJWomen100

Members Vote to Award Family Promise 2021 $100k Core Mission Grant

Grants, SJ WOMEN GIVE

Pictured: Family Promise’s Victoria Osborne, Executive Director of Programming & Services, CEO Rosemarie Parker, and COO Kristy Kazelskis. After members of our volunteer grant review committees spent the spring thoroughly vetting the organizations that applied for our core mission grant, and our members voted, we are proud to announce that we have awarded a $100,000 grant to Family Promise of Southwest New Jersey. Family Promise of Southwest NJ provides homeless families with an opportunity to achieve stability by providing shelter, food, case management, and hospitality while simultaneously utilizing resources within local congregations and the community. Over the next two years, Glassboro-based organization will use our grant for their Promising Futures Program which supports families through financial literacy training, job search assistance, connections to resources within our community, and assistance finding permanent affordable…

10Jun 2021 by SJWomen100

Member Spotlight: Sarah Fawcett-Lee

Member Profiles

When Sarah Fawcett-Lee relocated to South Jersey in January 2019, she was looking for a group of women with kindred spirits that she could know both personally and professionally. After living in Baltimore, MD for 30 years, she describes moving to South Jersey as a “big adventure” for her and her husband, "It was good to be somewhere different, and to learn a new city and new area for a different experience." It was not long after she came to South Jersey that she learned of Impact100. A few members, including Lois Greco, suggested she join the organization and spoke so highly of the group that she was intrigued. Sarah thought to herself, “living in this new community, in such an amazing place, with people who really care about their community. I want to…

03Jun 2021 by SJWomen100

RSVP For Our FREE Virtual Annual Meeting

Events, SJ WOMEN GIVE

On Wednesday, June 23rd at 6 PM, we invite you to pour a glass of your favorite beverage, settle in front of your preferred digital viewing device and watch along with some of South Jersey's most generous and engaged women as we unveil which organization our members voted to award a $100,000 transformative, core mission grant. The night that we've been waiting for is here. In addition to the $100k grant, two organizations will be awarded $50,000 general operating grants — which are needed now more than ever. Our 2021 Nonprofit Finalists: New Jersey Agricultural SocietyWoodford Cedar Run Wildlife RefugeFamily Promise of Southwest New Jersey Read about the organizations and how our grants will support their transformative growth. Even virtually, our Annual Meeting is a great opportunity to introduce prospective members…

03Jun 2021 by SJWomen100 1 Comment

Announcing Our 2021 Grant Finalists!

Grants, SJ WOMEN GIVE

On June 6th at our 4th Annual Meeting, one of these three organizations will be awarded our $100,000 core mission grant. The other two will receive $$50,000 general operating grants. Community Health and Wellbeing Focus Area: The NJ Agricultural Society/Farmers Against Hunger (Burlington County) The NJ Agricultural Society/Farmers Against Hunger connects healthy food from farms to families.Their project will formally establish the Farmers Against Hunger Land Stewardship Center in Burlington County, which will address the problems of food insecurity, lack of access to healthy food, and inequitable distribution of food across certain populations and geographic regions. Women, Children and Family Focus Area: Family Promise of Southwest NJ (Gloucester County) Family Promise works to empower and support working families, low-income families and families experiencing homelessness. Their project, the Promising Futures Program, will deepen…

25May 2021 by SJWomen100

Member Spotlight: Diane Ridgway

Member Profiles

As an account executive with Surety Title, Diane Ridgway has survived the real estate industry's ups and downs for almost 50 years. She is well-known for her professionalism, marketing ability and work ethic, but what many people don't know about Diane is that she is also a painter and illustrator. "I have always painted as a hobby. It is my favorite pastime. I do not consider myself a professional painter; I just love to paint. I have taken various art classes along the way but am mostly self-taught, "said Diane. She recently illustrated the cover for her husband's book "Ava's Dream," a civics lesson wrapped in a fictional tale for middle school and older students. The book has received rave reviews for both the content and the cover art. While raising her…

25May 2021 by SJWomen100

Member Spotlight: Dianna Geist

Member Profiles

Dianna Geist is a new member of Impact100 SJ, having joined in the Fall of 2020 after attending a virtual information session. Dianna had seen Facebook posts about Impact100 SJ shared by another member, Valerie Buickerood, and became interested in learning more. Having been involved in charitable organizations in South Jersey for years, she was intrigued by the idea of women’s collective giving for impact. While working as Director of Major Gifts and Annual Fund at John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School in Philadelphia, it surprised her how many women were not making philanthropic decisions in their households. Dianna was shocked at the difference between alumni giving to Roman Catholic High School, a historic boys school, and the alumnae at Hallahan, especially given that many of the women were married to…

14May 2021 by SJWomen100

Member Spotlight: Leona Davis

Member Profiles

Leona Davis first learned of Impact100 SJ by attending an information session hosted by Nancy Weber. While learning about the mission of Impact100, and seeing so many potential members attentively listening to the presentation, growing eager to join, Leona felt an immediate connection with the group and the amazing work being done to support the efforts of local Southern New Jersey non-profit organizations. She knew she wanted to join! What appealed to Leona the most? “I was so impressed with the simple but impactful approach to collective giving to local non-profits, and knew I wanted to become a part of this effort.” Leona became a proud member of Impact100 SJ in 2019 and is now in her third year. Her joining Impact100 SJ happened to coincide with another decision Leona made that year – to formalize…

27Apr 2021 by SJWomen100

2021 Nonprofit Grant Semi-Finalists

Grants, SJ WOMEN GIVE

The results are in! The grant review committees for our three Focus Areas — Women, Children and Family; Community Health and Well-being; Education — have met virtually. After independently reviewing the proposals submitted to their Focus Area, the committees engaged in lively and lengthy group discussions and determined that the following organizations are moving forward in our grants process and will receive a site visit: New Jersey Agricultural SocietyCATA FarmworkersLegacy Treatment ServicesFamily Promise of Southwest New JerseyWoodford Cedar Run Wildlife RefugeParkside Business and Community in PartnershipBoys and Girls Club of Gloucester CountyRonald McDonald House of Southern New JerseyUrban Promise Many thanks to this year's Focus Area Chairs — Jennifer Fontaine, Valerie Buickerood, Ronda Urkowitz, Kate Williamson, Nancy Gulick and Debra Gips. We also want to recognize all of the Grant Review…

23Apr 2021 by SJWomen100

Member Spotlight: Michele Juliana

Member Profiles

Michele Juliana is in her second year of membership with Impact100 SJ and what she has found striking is seeing the impact that grants have made on the previous nonprofit winners. While searching for ways to be more connected to the nonprofit community in the region, Michele read an article about Impact100 in SJ Magazine and was excited to learn more. She was looking to grow her personal philanthropy and wanted to find a network of professional women who shared her values. Professionally she wanted to learn more about the nonprofits in the area and connect with them as well. Board participation, while satisfying, has limits in the number of professionals with whom you connect. Likewise, the knowledge you gain about nonprofits is specific to the organization whose board you serve on. Impact100…

Author: SJWomen100