Impact100 Essex Announces New Equity Grant, Hosts Panel on Equitable Giving – TAPinto.net

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Impact100 Essex, a collective giving circle of 100-plus Essex County women, hosted a virtual panel earlier this month called “On the Ground,” which discussed inequities facing local nonprofits competing for funding. Members considered how changes in the grant-making process could reduce the impact of privilege and the racial funding gap for local organizations.

Leaders from four Essex County nonprofits challenged assumptions and biases in philanthropy and grant-making, including Lauren Meehan from Arts Ed Newark; Liliana Pinete from Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey; Carrie Puglisi from La Casa de Don Pedro; and Dani Rosen from Community Asset Preservation Corporation.

“This event is part of our renewed commitment to education around Equity and inclusivity,” said Mayuri Chandra, DEI Action Committee Chair for Impact100 Essex.

Impact100 Essex member Alex Kent added that the event presented “a great opportunity for the nonprofit directors to be candid with the Impact100 donors about the challenges nonprofits face when trying to raise money.”

“We needed to hear the voices of leaders working on the ground, across sectors, after an unprecedented year of crisis,” said Margo Greenfield, Co-Convenor for Impact100 Essex.

Impact100 Essex also announced the funding of a $30,000 Equity Grant to an organization whose leader identifies as a person of color.

“Data has shown that organizations led by BIPOC individuals simply do not get funding at the same levels as those led by white individuals, said Helen Mazarakis, Co-Convener for Impact100 Essex, who noted that this grant is being awarded in addition to the organization’s annual $100,000 Impact Grant. “We are committed to bringing our small piece of equity to the process.”

Impact100 Essex is a collective philanthropic group founded and funded by women in Essex County. The nonprofit brings women together to amplify and leverage the impact of members’ giving and to empower solutions for our community.

Each year, Impact100 Essex awards a minimum grant of $100,000 to support an important, innovative project managed by a local nonprofit organization. For more information about Impact100 Essex or to join, visit www.impact100essex.org or contact membership@impact100essex.org.

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