News

Heart of Camden (HOC), has completed their project for which they received the $100,000 Impact100 South Jersey 2023 Core Mission Grant. HOC’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of the South Camden community through programs for housing restoration, economic expansion, and community development. The grant funds were used to expand services and programs at the Michael J. Doyle (MJD) Fieldhouse, making a tangible difference in the lives of women, children, and families in South Camden and in the region.  Approximately 5,000 people were impacted during the 24-month grant period. The MJD Fieldhouse is a community center built and managed 7 days a week by HOC. It is equipped with a 6-court basketball gym, a community room, a food pantry, a black box theater, and nonprofit offices/meeting space. With…

Impact100 South Jersey’s 2024 core mission grantee, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Atlantic, Cape May, and Camden Counties and its trained volunteers, advocate for the best interests of children in the foster care system. Through collaborative efforts, CASA ensures children receive the individual attention and support they need to thrive. (See more photos and Maria's Story below.) CASA was awarded our $100,000 grant to expand their presence in Camden County. The grant was used to increase visibility and improve access for children they serve and volunteers that fulfill their mission by securing a Camden-area office. They also recruited more CASA volunteers to support children as they travel through the court system Through a robust marketing campaign, funded by the grant, CASA increased volunteer advocate applications by 30%…

The Impact100 South Jersey Grant Finance Review team seeks new or existing members with experience in accounting or who are comfortable with basic business math and Excel. We're making an early ask because the committee's work begins before the end of our membership drive. The first step in our Core Mission Grant review process is for applicants to submit their IRS Form 990s and financial statements for the prior three years so the Grant Finance Review Committee can ensure they meet eligibility requirements. The Work: Members of this committee review the financial statements and information potential applicants submit, and complete a spreadsheet with key indicators and ratios. You may also make notes to help determine the applicant's eligibility to move forward to apply for a Core Mission grant. Our goal in this process is…

Bayshore Center at Bivalve received a $27,500 Impact100 South Jersey general operating grant in 2024. The organization advances the understanding of human impact on New Jersey’s aquatic environment through education, advocacy, and programming. They chose to apply their grant to the project they had outlined in their core mission grant application — STEM and Humanities On-the-Water Learning. They are working to create new partnerships focused on bringing youth to the Bayshore Center and providing hands-on experiential learning for Cumberland County schools, youth organizations & non-profits. The Impact100 SJ funds were used towards the following: Camp: An education consultant was hired in May 2024 to develop a summer camp curriculum, purchase supplies, and pilot/instruct a one-week session during the week of August 5, 2024. Four scholarships were awarded in 2024, and the camp…

One of our 2024 general operating grantees, Hispanic Family Center, has since rebranded. Their new name: Healthy Families and Communities (HFC). Last year, the organization received $27,500 that is being used to create a Mental Health Healing Garden in Camden. Over the last 12 months, HFC used Impact100's general operating grant to facilitate a series of community conversations intended to seek stakeholder and community input for the Mental Health Healing Garden design. They've convened more than 50 residents, partners, and other stakeholders in conversation to plan this new addition to the East Camden community. HFC engaged the Community Design Collaborative, a local non-profit design firm, to guide their process. The Collaborative matches nonprofits with skilled volunteers such as architects, landscape architects, preservationists, interior designers, urban planners, engineers, cost estimators, and…

We are truly grateful to the following Leadership Council members who are departing after providing tremendous service moving the Impact100 South Jersey mission forward. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to making our community better through collective giving. Jill Sayre Lawlor Elizabeth Mangino Wallace Rosemarie Parker Diane Ridgway Ellen Ragone Judith Robinson Kyle Ruffin We are also thrilled to welcome these new 2025-26 Leadership Council members who began their service July 1st. Debbie Callahan Jaime Desman Mary Lynne Gist-Reynolds Elena Piperno Kimberly Rice Keisha Stephenson Taylor The complete list of 2025-26 Leadership Council members.

At our 2025 Annual Meeting on June 12th, our members gathered to award $191,000 to six organizations that serve our region. The grand total our members have awarded to 27 local organizations since 2018 is now $1,411,360. We thank everyone who attended or supported our collective giving circle in any number of ways throughout the year! Photos by Stephen Graham, Graham Communications LLC. Click images to enlarge. [ngg src="galleries" ids="10" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]