SJWomen100, Author at Impact100 South Jersey

25Oct 2023 by SJWomen100

GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT: Grantee Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge Builds Watershed Dock

Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge’s mission is the preservation of New Jersey’s wildlife and habitats through education, conservation, and rehabilitation, serving as a community resource on the importance of protecting and enhancing healthy ecosystems for all. This is the second time Woodford Cedar Run was awarded a $50,000 Impact100 South Jersey grant. It provided nearly full funding for the creation of a newly-completed Watershed Study Dock and Pavilion for New Jersey Student Environmental Education. The new structure makes an impact for countless children and families for years to come with increased capacity for the services they provide. About the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge Based in Medford, New Jersey, their work has a profound impact on environmental protection across New Jersey and the surrounding region. As an organization, the vision is that…

24Oct 2023 by SJWomen100

Impact100 South Jersey To Launch NEW Small Grants Program

Grants

Our mission at Impact 100 SJ has always been to harness the collective giving power of women to make a lasting impact in our community. Now, we’re excited to announce an important new step in our journey—the launch of the Community Heroes Grant. These grants are designed to provide crucial support to smaller nonprofits that are doing remarkable work in South Jersey. As we continue to grow and expand our grant opportunities, we hope to reach more deserving organizations that are doing important work to serve our region. We are launching a grant program for nonprofits that are not yet large enough to be eligible for our transformative $100,000 Core Mission grant, but who we know are making critical contributions to South Jersey. The unrestricted operating grants of $10,000 each will…

23Oct 2023 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Susan Bass Levin

Member Profiles, SJ WOMEN GIVE

Susan strongly believes in the mission of Impact100 South Jersey. “I enjoy catching up with long-time friends and colleagues, many of whom I haven’t seen in quite a while. We have shared experiences and goals, but often live separate lives, and Impact100 allows us to reconnect. Plus, Impact100’s contributions are significant and meaningful to South Jersey non-profit organizations. It proves there is power in numbers,” said Susan. She is also very impressed by the young women who know how important it is to make a give back. As a very prominent South Jersey community member, Susan's accomplishments are numerous. She moved from her first job as an attorney to being the Mayor of Cherry Hill and served in the cabinet of three New Jersey governors. Susan was the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of…

23Oct 2023 by SJWomen100

2 Ways Members Supported Habitat for Humanity Beyond the Check

Beyond The Check, Grants

Part of Impact100 South Jersey's goal is to partner with grantees beyond transformative grant making. Impacting organizations Beyond the Check is an important aspect of Trust Based Philanthropy. To that end, several members participated in 2 of 2023 grantee Habitat for Humanity's work. Habitat Build Three Impact100 SJ members assisted the construction staff of our 2023 grantee Camden County Habitat for Humanity in installing windows in a Camden row home that will be sold to a family to help them achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life. Michele Susson, Lindsey Cowperthwait, and Valerie Buickerood worked with construction manager Tony Wideman and his assistant Will to weather seal and install windows and to board them up upon completion to ensure they remain intact while other work continues.…

09Oct 2023 by SJWomen100

GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT: 2022 $50,000 Grantee Creates Accessible Nature Trails

SJ WOMEN GIVE

The Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) received a $50,000 general operating grant in July of 2022 from Impact 100 South Jersey. Funds were applied to support the Pinelands Is for Everyone initiative. This funding helped build PPA’s internal capacity to finalize plans, provide staff training and develop accessible ecotours, purchase adaptive equipment, and hire a full-time Access Nature and Disabilities Advocate to oversee and coordinate the program. PPA’s Pinelands Adventures program has devoted substantial time to training itself to lead inclusive programs, designing and testing inclusive hikes with the help of individuals with various kinds of disabilities. PPA hired Sean Kane-Holland in November of 2022 to serve as the lead staff person and advocate for the Pinelands Is for Everyone initiative. A perfect fit for PPA and the initiative, Sean graduated…

09Oct 2023 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Shereen Chen Gray

Member Profiles

Shereen Chen Gray came to America with her parents when she was 2 years old. At the age of 16, Shereen became a U.S. citizen. As an immigrant, Shereen observed family members who could not speak English arrive in the United States and learn to adapt and grow to take care of their families. This is a strength that Shereen has admired and been inspired by throughout her life. This experience has led her to a successful career as an Immigration attorney which has led her to want to give back to those who are in need. Several of Shereen’s friends and business acquaintances belong to Impact100 South Jersey. After hearing about the great work Impact100 South Jersey does in giving high-impact grants to area nonprofits, she wanted to get involved to help as…

29Sep 2023 by SJWomen100

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland & Salem Counties recognizes Impact100 SJ member & Big Sister Valerie Buickerood

Beyond The Check, Grants

Impact100 South Jersey member Valerie Buickerood (pictured on left) has been a mentor in our grantee Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland & Salem Counties Mentor2.0 program since the fall of 2022. The program was funded by the Impact100 SJ core mission grant in 2019 and was fully launched in 2021. Buickerood was matched with a H.S. junior named Luz (pictured on right) to help her identify her goals and map out her post high school journey. Mentors help strengthen college or career aspirations, and build an understanding of college eligibility, the application process, and support systems, or help mentees in their search for programs that align with their career goals. Luz is in her senior year and getting ready to apply to colleges. Buickerood has supported her in drafting…

27Sep 2023 by SJWomen100

Upcoming Grantee-Member Events

Beyond The Check, Events

Browse our upcoming BEYOND THE CHECK events and opportunities! In addition to the transformative grants we award, we organize opportunities for our members to engage with the organizations our grants support. These events are open exclusively to 2023 & 2024 members. Heart of Camden Winter Coat Drive NOW through December 15th We are taking part in the Heart of Camden‘s Winter Coat Drive. This is yet another way Impact100 South Jersey and our members support our grantees beyond the check. In addition to dropping off new or gently used coats, hoodies, sweaters, hats and gloves at the Heart of Camden location at 1840 South Broadway, you can also drop items at the homes and offices of Impact100 South Jersey members until December 8th. Drop off Locations Farmers Against Hunger Holiday Packing…

25Sep 2023 by SJWomen100

Member Spotlight: Mimi Butler

Member Profiles

Mimi Butler calls herself a ‘volunteer-holic’. When she attended middle school, someone asked her to go door to door to raise money for a disease. She knew then that a great part of her life would be to always give back. Mimi’s parents were extremely active with Einstein hospital, Philadelphia. Originally, they were involved only with the Philadelphia Psychiatric hospital, later named Belmont Comprehensive Center. Her mother volunteered weekly at this hospital for the psychiatric needs of children and adults. When Mimi was a teenager, she joined her mother at weekend events. She even remembers winning a basket of wine at a luncheon before age 21. Once Mimi’s Mom passed, Mimi continued her legacy at Belmont organizing holiday parties and fundraisers. Now, while Einstein no longer owns Belmont, Mimi is involved…

20Sep 2023 by SJWomen100

BEYOND THE CHECK: 2 Hands-On Opportunities to Help 2023 Grantee Habitat for Humanity

Beyond The Check

If you like to roll up your sleeves and feel that intoxicating sense of accomplishment, these projects are for you! Space is limited, so make sure you RSVP as soon as possible. Habitat for Humanity BUILD Thursday October 5 | 9 AM to noon Join in a Habitat for Humanity Build project on Thursday, October 5th from 9 am to noon in Camden. The build site is located at 649 Royden St., Camden, NJ 08103 and is part of their Homeownership Program. It’s currently vacant and being renovated to, upon completion, be sold to a family to help them achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life. Impact100 SJ volunteers will prepare and install new windows throughout the home (no prior experience necessary). There may…

Author: SJWomen100