As Impact 100 has evolved over the last 10 years, one of the best things that I think we have incorporated into our system is a process and routine for responsible follow-up with the non-profits that we support. Here are a few of the many advantages of having added this step to our process:
- This helps develop a partner relationship with the organizations that we are funding.
- It fulfills the need for stewardship and vigilance that the membership of Impact 100 expects.
- Organizations that we support realize that we are interested in supporting their efforts on many levels.
- The organizations that we support become more knowledgeable about the mission of
Impact 100.
In order to accomplish this review, our grantees submit written reports every six months to the Non-Profit Coordinator and a committee of Impact 100 members visits the grantees once a year. The progress and evolution of the project or program that Impact 100 has funded is monitored and discussions center on goals that were set in the grant application and how those are being met.
For me, this has become a central part of my Impact 100 experience. You could compare this to an opportunity to do a site visit on a wonderful organization once a year when you have become enchanted with the services they offer and the good work they are doing. In order to do this review in a thorough and insightful manner, we have started to seek Impact 100 members that would like to participate in this follow-up. For example, we have a great team that is involved in following Safe Haven Farms. These women reviewed the grant application in the Health & Wellness committee. As work progresses on the building of the arenas and beginnings of the Therapeutic Riding Program, they will have the opportunity to return to Safe Haven Farm and watch the dream that they supported become a reality.
If you have an interest in participating in the ongoing review of our grantees, please contact me to join a team!
Luann Scherer
Outreach@Impact100.org
Non-Profit Coordinator
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