MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Barbara Wallace

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Barbara Wallace

Barbara Wallace has an impressive list of civic roles and activities advocating for women and children that is decades in the making. She is a former mayor of Washington Township (2011-2016), Washington Township School Board President, Gloucester County College Board member (now Rowan College Gloucester County) and has worked for New Jersey United States Senators Lautenberg and Corzine as well as in the Corzine Administration during his term as Governor. Barbara is well acquainted with the issues concerning the state of New Jersey — especially South Jersey. When she heard about the idea to start a chapter of Impact100 in…
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Heartfelt Thank You from A 2021 Impact100 Grantee

Heartfelt Thank You from A 2021 Impact100 Grantee

Our Impact Goes Way Beyond Awarding Grants The message below was sent to Impact100 South Jersey Grant Chair Kim Moon the day after our Annual Meeting. It was from Mike O'Malley, Executive Director of Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge — one of our 2021 $50,000 general operating grant recipients.  Hi Kim, Thank you for reaching out. We are absolutely celebrating! Receiving any grant is fantastic, but it really means so much more to us knowing that this support is coming from 200 amazing local women. It is really an honor for us to have the confidence and support from all of you. We will…
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Janet Garraty

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

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

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,…
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Member Spotlight: Sarah Fawcett-Lee

Member Spotlight: Sarah Fawcett-Lee

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…
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RSVP For Our FREE Virtual Annual Meeting

RSVP For Our FREE Virtual Annual Meeting

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…
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Announcing Our 2021 Grant Finalists!

Announcing Our 2021 Grant Finalists!

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…
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Member Spotlight:  Diane Ridgway

Member Spotlight: Diane Ridgway

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…
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Member Spotlight:  Dianna Geist

Member Spotlight: Dianna Geist

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…
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Member Spotlight:  Leona Davis

Member Spotlight: Leona Davis

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…
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