The minimum dollar amount of the Impact100 SRQ grant is $100,000.  Each member donates $1,000 which is pooled to determine that year’s grant amount.  Thus, the grant amount varies based on the number of Impact100 SRQ members.  The number of members for the current giving year, and therefore the amount of the grant, is revealed in April of each year at the Big Reveal, one of our signature events. 

Each member donates $1,000 which is pooled to determine the number of grants.  The number of grants that are awarded each year is dependent on the number of Impact100 SRQ members.  The number of members for the current giving year, and therefore the number of grants to be awarded, is revealed in April of each year at the Big Reveal, one of our signature events. 

Impact100 SRQ’s grants are different in several ways:

• Impact100 SRQ is a collective organization of women who each contribute $1,000 and each have one vote to select our grant recipients.
• The grant’s minimum amount of $100,000 is larger than many grants.
• Impact100 SRQ funds transformational initiatives that address a need, demonstrate measurable results, and broadly and/or deeply benefit the community or population it serves.  The grant is not intended to fund what the nonprofit is currently doing or to fund current operating expenses.
• After the grant is awarded, Impact100 SRQ provides the funds after it confirms that the dollars are spent on the expenses itemized in the grant application initiative budget.

Grant initiatives submitted with budgets over the Impact100 SRQ grant amount must show the ability of the nonprofit to fund the entire initiative.  You will be asked to describe the other sources of funding that will be used to cover the additional expenses and whether the funds are committed or pending.

If funds are committed, you must provide proof of those funds such as letters of commitment from donors, from your Board of Directors, approved board minutes confirming the allocation and/or copies of checks verifying donated funds.

If funds are pending, you must elaborate on your specific plan and anticipated timeframe for securing them.

Applications submitted with an “Initiative Total” which is less than the grant amount will not be accepted.

This is a transformational grant opportunity.  Consider significant, relevant ways to expand the scope of your planned initiative.  By doing so, it may enhance your organization’s ability to benefit the community in a meaningful way and meet the criteria for the full grant amount.

Click here for the main steps of our grant application process.

Click here to review the important dates for nonprofits.

First, complete and submit the Application Eligibility Form.  Click here for the Form.  Once we notify you that your organization is eligible to apply, begin to clearly define the initiative that you will propose and review the information on our website to familiarize yourself with the grant application and its review process.

Click here for Grant Eligibility Guidelines.  The Guidelines address eligibility considerations for the organizations and for the initiative proposed by the organization.

No, we assess the level of impact that your initiative will have on the community, not how large or small your organization is.  Members utilize the same evaluation criteria when considering all applications.  

No, we are committed to maintaining a level playing field and ensuring our grant application review process is fair and equitable to all organizations who apply.  If you are not familiar with them, click here for the Eligibility Guidelines.

Yes, only organizations that submit an Application Eligibility Form and receive confirmation of eligibility may apply for an Impact100 SRQ grant.

Each organization confirms that they meet all requirements by:

• Providing their EIN number from the Department of Treasury
• Registering with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations
• Registering with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Confirming adherence to other Eligibility Guidelines

Click here for the Form.  Complete and submit it online.

The Application Eligibility Form will be available from mid-January to approximately ten days before the Grant Application deadline.  Click here or go to our website to find the grant process key dates for nonprofits.

Impact100 SRQ will email the person who submitted the Form within one week of submission to notify them.  If Impact100 SRQ has questions about the answers that were provided on the Application Eligibility Form, Impact100 SRQ will follow up with the person who submitted the form for clarification.

Yes, Impact100 SRQ will notify the nonprofit if it is determined that it is not eligible to apply and the reason for the determination.

You may submit your Application Eligibility Form with an explanation that you have applied for the status and the date you applied.  We require that the IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter be submitted with the grant application.

Click here for the grant process key dates for nonprofits.

No, only organizations that submitted an Application Eligibility Form and received confirmation of eligibility may apply for an Impact100 SRQ grant.  Please note that submitting an Application Eligibility Form does not obligate you to apply for a grant.  We strongly recommend submitting an Application Eligibility Form even if you are not yet certain that you will apply for a grant.

When the Grant Application becomes available, organizations which have received their confirmation of “eligibility to apply” will receive a link to the Grant Application which is housed on the online platform, Submittable. 

Your organization should select the Focus Area Committee that is most closely aligned with your proposed initiative, not necessarily your organization’s mission.  Click here for definitions for the Focus Area Committees.

No, organizations eligible for Impact100 SRQ grants must submit one grant application per EIN number.

No, our members consider your initiative’s impact on the communities and residents of Sarasota and/or Manatee counties.  We consider initiatives that benefit one county or both.  Initiatives that benefit both are not given more consideration. 

If your initiative benefits a county in addition to Sarasota or Manatee, then you must demonstrate that it will primarily benefit Sarasota and/or Manatee counties.

Yes, you can submit additional information that further describes your initiative with your grant application if it is not currently available on your website, which is how our members will familiarize themselves with your organization.  Remember, our members’ primary focus is on your grant initiative.

Organizations may fail to include all requested additional documents, including financial statements, and if required, 990’s, quotes, documentation to support committed funds, and leases.  Not including this documentation in its entirety creates delays in the review process, and if not provided on a timely basis could result in the application not moving forward in the process.

Organizations must ensure the Initiative Budget Form is complete and accurate, with all expense categories further explained in the Budget Narrative section of the application.  The expenses in the “Allocated to Impact100 SRQ” column should total the Impact100 SRQ grant amount.  The funds that will support the initiative should be detailed and categorized as committed or pending funds.

Yes, if the Focus Area Committee determines that your application satisfies its preliminary review, we will schedule a one-hour site visit with your organization for our members to learn more about your initiative.  During this site visit, you may provide materials that have been updated since you submitted your application.

Yes, Impact100 SRQ is interested in your initiative budget and even though it is not officially approved, it must still be a realistic budget.  Please note that the application asks you to confirm that the nonprofit Executive Director and/or Board President are aware of the application.  Grant recipients are required to spend all funds in the manner stated in their grant application.

Click here for the descriptions and rationale for all required financial documents.

In this case, you may not have one or both of the requested Form 990s.  Explain the situation in detail and submit all Form 990s that have been filed with the IRS in the past two years.

Impact100 SRQ members volunteer to serve on one of five Focus Area Committees (FAC).  These committees review the submitted grant applications and evaluate them based on our criteria.  Click here to review the Impact100 SRQ 5 key questions.  After this review, the FAC determines which grant applicants will receive a site visit.  After all site visits are completed, the members select the finalists who will have the opportunity to present their initiative to the collective Impact100 SRQ membership for a vote which will determine the grant recipients.

Yes, all applications that meet eligibility requirements are reviewed by a FAC.

No, not all applicants receive a site visit.  After a preliminary review of all applications, a site visit is requested if the FAC determines that the application will move forward in the grant review process.  The purpose of a site visit is to gain a better understanding of the initiative and obtain answers to open questions.

This is the time for your organization to share your vision and your plans for this initiative.  You will have the opportunity to explain what the application cannot always convey: the passion, the difference this grant would make, and the impact on the organization and the community.  Attendees should include the key employees responsible for the initiative, including someone who can answer financial questions.

There will be an average of three to six members from the Focus Area Committee who will participate.

All site visits are one hour.  Any additional information about your initiative, such as brochures, brief videos or reports are appropriate.  Refreshments, CDs/DVDs, mementos, promotional items, or gifts are not allowed.

Finalists will be notified by phone.  All other applicants will be notified by email prior to the “Meet The Finalists” press conference.

For the 2024 Giving Year, each of the five Focus Area Committee will select two finalists so we will have a total of ten.

After the site visits, the Focus Area Committee members vote to select the finalists.  Each member votes for the initiatives that she believes best address the 5 key questions.  Click here to view the 5 key questions.

Yes, we encourage organizations to apply again the following year.

No, we do not provide specific feedback to applicants.  When the Focus Area Committees select the finalists, each Committee member votes anonymously for the initiatives that she believes address the 5 key questions.  Although Committee discussions are an important component of our grant application review process, we neither obtain nor require feedback from each Committee member after the voting process.  Additionally, the Focus Area Committee members change from year to year so prior year’s feedback is not relevant. 

Individual organizations that receive an Impact100 SRQ grant cannot apply for the following two years.  Organizations that apply, but are not selected as finalists, or are finalists who do not receive the Impact100 SRQ grant, may reapply the following year.

Impact100 SRQ disburses funds for reimbursement of expenses as outlined in the Nonprofit’s Initiative Budget.  Grant recipients submit signed draw requests to their Impact100 SRQ GrantLink (a member assigned to the Nonprofit for reimbursement and reporting purposes) along with receipts or paid invoices verifying the expense(s).

Impact100 SRQ will fund only expenses incurred or paid by the organization within the 24-month grant cycle, following the grant award.  For example, a January 22, 2025 grant recipient must expend the Impact100 SRQ funds by January 22, 2027.

Within 90 days of signing the Grant Agreement, Impact100 SRQ and the grant recipient will agree to measurements that will be used to monitor the results, timing, and implementation of the Initiative over the grant period.  The grant recipient will communicate the Initiative’s progress to their GrantLink (a member assigned to the Nonprofit for reimbursement and reporting purposes) according to the agreed-upon schedule.

Yes! You can participate on a Focus Area Committee, but not the one that reviews your organization's application.

Yes, if the member agrees that she will be fair and unbiased in her assessment of the nonprofit’s application.  Our members agree to comply with our Grant Application Review Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy.  Depending on the nature of the relationship, she may be asked to move to another FAC.  If she remains on the original FAC, the fact that she has a relationship will be disclosed to the other FAC members.