Impact 100 Cincinnati

Members and guests of Impact 100 visited Queen City Book Bank to see how the Book Bank's focus on literacy, including distribution of books to local school children, has grown since Impact 100's $100,000 grant to the organization in 2014. They even got to contribute to a mural that reflects the enlightening power of books. The work-in-progress includes hundreds of thumbprints from previous visitors. Since 2002, Impact 100 has contributed more than $7 million to Tristate nonprofit organizations.

Congratulations to Impact 100 member, Brianna Ritz, Esq. on being recognized as a 2024 Forty Under 40 by the Cincinnati Business Courier!

Impact 100 Cincinnati announced four local nonprofits who each received a $100,000 grant for innovative community projects, and three finalists received awards of $10,000 each. The following organizations attained the highest rankings via member ballots and were announced at Impact 100’s 2024 Annual Awards Celebration on Sept. 19 at Cincinnati Music Hall. CityLink Center, Cornerstone Renter Equity, Last Mile Food Rescue, Inc., and UpSpring Three Grant Finalists received $10,000 awards through the Extend Your IMPACT initiative in recognition of their time and efforts in our grant review process and to show our gratitude for their partnership. TheBridge, NAMI Southwest Ohio x Transform Cincy, and Ohio Justice & Policy Center Impact 100 congratulates all of our finalists and looks forward to seeing the huge IMPACT they will have on our community. Thanks to each of the nonprofit applicants who presented transformative initiatives from which Impact 100 could learn and consider funding.

The work of Impact 100 is supported by incredible in-kind sponsors who lend their talents to leverage the work of a fully volunteer-run organization. Thank you to Barnes Dennig, Association Connection, Lisa Brown Presents, and Returning the Gift for all the time and talent you contribute to our mission!

Sponsor Spotlight! The mission of The Mayerson Foundation is to invest, not only financial resources but human resources as well, in efforts that are effective, broad-reaching, and that are driven by people with a passion for making a significant difference. Thank you for investing in Impact 100 as one of those efforts that are creating transformational change. mayersonfoundation.org

DID YOU KNOW There are more than 8,000 children who experience homelessness in Greater Cincinnati each year? Furthermore, children experiencing homelessness are typically 2-3 years behind in school. Our next finalist, UpSpring, is working to change that by expanding their UpSpring Summer 360°, UpSpring After School, and the UpSpring Resource Collaborative programs to include Butler and Clermont Counties, and additional sites in Hamilton, Boone, and Kenton Counties to support at least 415 new students in their academic and social-emotional needs over a three-year period. We're so proud of all this year's finalists and hope you'll join us in celebrating the transofrmative work they are leading in our community. Registration closes today for the Annual Awards Ceremony. Reserve Your Seat! https://buff.ly/4cAVnF6

DID YOU KNOW Fifty percent of LGBTQ+ youth who want mental health care are unable to access it? Moreover, lesbian, gay or bisexual youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth, and transgender adults are 9 times more likely as cisgender adults to attempt suicide? Our next finalist is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Southwest Ohio and collaborative partner, Transform. Together, this next finalist will develop and pilot a new, collaborative support group model that will provide mutual support and resources for adult LGBTQ+ individuals who also have a mental health condition, tailored to their specific intersectional identities. We're just one week away from the Annual Awards Celebration. Get your tickets by Sept. 12 to see who will be our 2024 Grant Recipients! https://buff.ly/4cAVnF6

DID YOU KNOW The number of women entering prisons has increased by 600% since 1980, making them the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated population? The problem is especially acute for women who have survived domestic violence and committed murder in self-defense, survived human trafficking, or are drug conspiracy offenders pressured into committing crimes. Circumstances unique to women may not be accommodated by a justice system originally designed for men. Our next finalist is working to change that with a program to provide free legal services and advocacy specific to incarcerated women. Our next finalist is Ohio Justice and Policy Center! If selected as a grant recipient OJPC will support the hiring of a dedicated attorney to lead its Women’s Project, addressing critical issues such as human trafficking, domestic violence, and self-defense against abuse, to ensure justice and empowerment for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women. Join us at the Annual Awards Celebration to honor all of our grant finalists! https://buff.ly/4cAVnF6

Sponsor Spotlight! For over 60 years, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation GCF has invested in our region, making an impact on affordable housing, capacity building, economic mobility and racial justice. gcfdn.org We're thankful for their leadership in our region and their sponsorship of Impact 100!

DID YOU KNOW In Greater Cincinnati, 1 in 5 people face food insecurity. The ratio is even higher in Avondale and Price Hill, 2 of the 3 neighborhoods ranking highest in childhood poverty and food insecurity. Our next finalist, Last Mile Food Rescue, Inc. is working to change that with their “Last Mile Mobile Market” program to distribute free, unused fresh, high-quality food to local communities with limited access to healthy options– expanding the current program in Avondale and replicating this successful model in Price Hill. Celebrate Last Mile Food Rescue's impact, along with all 7 of our 2024 Finalists on Sept. 19 at the Annual Awards Celebration. Register by Sept. 12: https://buff.ly/4cAVnF6