News - Impact100 South Jersey

29Jul 2022 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Stefanie Levine Cohen

A woman living her purpose-driven life. Longtime South Jersey resident Stefanie Levine Cohen has traveled a professional and personal journey with twists and turns. As a trained lawyer, Stefanie knew her gifts and talents were better suited in areas other than the practice of law. She found her calling connecting with other people through writing, active parenting and hands-on community engagement. To exemplify her purpose, Stefanie is a Charter member of Impact100 SJ and has served on the Leadership Council since her second year. She is a former Chair of the Governance committee and a former member of the grant review committee. What lights Stefanie up most about volunteerism and community engagement is her commitment to be a force for positive change. With so many urgent needs and giving opportunities…

15Jul 2022 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Teressa Moore Griffin

Member Profiles

It pays to have friends in high places. Invited by Impact100 SJ founding member Kyle Ruffin to join the movement, organizational development consultant and executive coach Teressa Moore Griffin liked the notion of collaboration and pooling resources to support making a greater impact than she could otherwise make on her own. Teressa has been a long-time supporter of philanthropic causes, though Impact100 SJ struck her differently. She is heartened and touched by its mission to develop a spirit of community among local women who also value combining resources to have a greater impact. As an early joiner, Teressa attended one of the first membership information meetings and found that Impact100 SJ is everything that Kyle described it to be. Following the first membership drive, Teressa submitted her initial contribution to…

20Jun 2022 by SJWomen100

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County Awarded $100k Core Mission Grant

Grants, SJ WOMEN GIVE

Congratulations to our 2022 Grant Recipients! This year, we are proud to announce that collectively our members awarded $200,000 in grants to three South Jersey nonprofits at the group’s Annual Meeting held on June 15, 2022, at Maggiano’s Restaurant in Cherry Hill, NJ. A $100,000 Core Mission grant was awarded to the Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland County in Vineland. The grant will be used to extend their current building (a former credit union), more than doubling its existing space and increasing the number of young people they serve. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge (Medford, NJ) and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (Southampton, NJ) will receive $50k general operating grants. "We are thrilled to be able to award these impactful grants throughout the South Jersey community. When we started five years ago with several…

10Jun 2022 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Ellen Ragone

Member Profiles

Ellen learned about the Impact100 organization from her cousin who is very involved with Greenville (SC) Women Giving. Hearing about all the good they do in their community, Ellen wanted to help her South Jersey community the same way, so she joined Impact100 South Jersey. In the three years since she became a member, Ellen has been appointed to the Impact100 Leadership Council, and now co-chairs the Public Relations/ Marketing and Resource Development committees. Ellen has been in the public relations/marketing field for over 25 years, most recently serving as Chief Marketing Officer for a few large law firms. Ellen graduated from the University of Delaware and began her career at the American Red Cross in New York City. “I had a great boss who mentored me. Thanks to him…

03Jun 2022 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Sue Polikoff

Member Profiles

When Sue Levy-Polikoff learned about Impact100 through Facebook posts from other members, she knew this was exactly the type of philanthropic giving she was searching for. That drove Sue to attend a 2019 membership information session at the Ronald McDonald House to learn more about it. The love and commitment to making a difference was palpable in that room and Sue just knew this was something she had to do. She joined in 2020. “The business model is so innovative; taking the power of each charity-minded individual and making them into a 200-women powerhouse that provides such a greater impact to fabulous causes compelled me to join.” Its cliché, but Sue finds every aspect of Impact100 SJ rewarding. She was an event planner for a large nonprofit so naturally her…

02Jun 2022 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Barbara Schwartz

Member Profiles

Barbara joined Impact100 for the 2019 membership year after seeing an advertisement of our information sessions in the South Jersey Biz Magazine. After learning about the organization’s mission, purpose and functions from Emily Orel and Nancy Weber, Barbara wrote her check that day! While she had routinely contributed to other organizations in the past, this was different. She thought how cool this is, to be able to give $1,000 and then take control of where it went! It was like winning the Trifecta for her: the ability to meet like-minded women, learn about the local nonprofits and get a say in where her contributions go. She especially loved the idea of meeting and working with women to implement the annual process of awarding a $100,000 grant to a nonprofit organization. …

31May 2022 by SJWomen100

2022 ANNUAL MEETING

Events, SJ WOMEN GIVE

This is the biggest night of the year — the night our members choose which organizations will receive collective contributions of $200,000. You'll hear from the nonprofit finalists selected by fellow members and vote for the South Jersey organizations that will be awarded one (1) $100,000 grant and two (2) grants for $50,000. Our 2022 Nonprofit Finalists: Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland CountyPinelands Preservation AllianceWoodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge Our Annual Meeting is also a great opportunity to meet fellow members, introduce prospective members to our growing movement and learn about upcoming events and activities. Guests are encouraged to come watch women's collective philanthropy in action! Admission: 2022 & 2023 Impact100 SJ Members attend FREE.Non-members $25 per person (in advance). Not ready to attend in person? You can also participate…

20May 2022 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Kate Williamson

Member Profiles

Kate Williamson first heard about the Impact100 model through people involved in the Impact100 Jersey Coast chapter and the idea struck her as pure genius. In 2016, an organization Kate’s wife Susan helped found nearly 40 years earlier had applied for a grant from Impact100 Jersey Coast. Susan was one of the original founders of what is now known as 180 Turning Lives Around in Monmouth County, which runs a purpose-built shelter for women, men, and their children who are victims of domestic violence. The grant was to help start their Family Justice Center, which provides comprehensive, one-stop services to intersect with local and county agencies, police, family court, etc. Susan had not been actively involved with 180 for a while, but they reached out to her to ask her to be part…

06May 2022 by SJWomen100

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Mindy Holman

Member Profiles

Mindy Holman is no stranger to the concept of philanthropy. She grew up in a family that was always charitable and maintained a commitment to always give back to their community. This was especially so through her family’s nearly 100 year old automotive business, Holman Enterprises, that was founded by her grandfather. Mindy joined Holman Enterprises, in 1986, becoming President and CEO in 2004 and Chairman of the Board in 2015. As the third generation leader, Mindy continues her family’s philanthropic legacy to support the communities where their employees and customers live and work. In her personal life, Mindy gives her time, treasures and talents serving in leadership roles with several local community organizations. In 2007, Mindy was introduced to the idea of collective giving that would be there forever to support…

26Apr 2022 by SJWomen100

Member Spotlight: Elyse Smith

Member Profiles

Elyse learned about Impact 100 SJ through her friend and neighbor, Jennifer Alleva, who is a 2018 charter member. Hearing of Jennifer’s continued involvement throughout the past years, Elyse wanted to learn more. After learning about the collective giving concept among women along with the opportunity to help people in her own backyard, Elyse decided she wanted to be a part of this organization. Elyse joined Impact100 SJ for the 2021 membership year. Prior to joining Impact100, Elyse had a passion to give but didn’t have a deep knowledge of how nonprofits truly operate. What she loves about Impact100 is the opportunity to learn about nonprofits organically, especially as she begins to serve on various committees. Currently, she is on the Nonprofit Outreach Committee and serves as the Grantee Liaison…