Impact100 Martin Invites Community to Nov. 5 Kickoff Featuring Founder Wendy Steele
Organization launches 10th year of giving as it nears $3 million in grants to local nonprofits
STUART, Fla. — What began with 107 local women and a shared belief in collective giving has grown into one of Martin County’s most significant philanthropic forces.
Impact100 Martin will mark a decade of giving and launch its milestone 10th season at its annual Kickoff event on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 4:30 p.m. at Indian River State College Chastain Campus Wolf High-Technology Center. The event will also recognize the Global Day of Impact and the 25th Anniversary of Impact100, with founder Wendy Steele speaking about the inspiration behind the movement and how it has grown over the past 25 years.
Founded in 2017 with 107 members, Impact100 Martin has grown to nearly 600 women. By the end of its 10th season, the organization is expected to surpass $3 million in grants awarded to local nonprofits.
The Impact100 model of collective giving is simple: members contribute $1,000 a year to be pooled together into a grant-making fund. For every 100 members, Impact100 Martin awards one $100,000 grant.
In April 2026 alone, Impact100 Martin awarded $572,000 to seven nonprofits, including five $100,000 Impact Grants.
“What makes Impact100 Martin so special is that there is a place for every woman here,” said Sue Whittington, president of Impact100 Martin. “There are opportunities to be deeply involved, participate when possible or simply make an annual contribution. Along the way, members build connections, learn more about the needs and organizations serving our community, and see firsthand what can happen when women come together around a shared purpose. As we enter our next decade, we hope even more women will see themselves as part of Impact100 Martin.”
Each year, nonprofits throughout Martin County apply for transformational grants. Impact100 Martin’s Grant Committee evaluates each proposal, financial information and potential community impact before narrowing the field to semifinalists and, ultimately, finalists. In April 2027, members will vote to determine which five to six organizations receive funding.
The Nov. 5 Kickoff will celebrate a decade of giving and give prospective members an opportunity to learn more about Impact100 Martin, its grantmaking model and the many ways to get involved. Current members, prospective members and women interested in learning more are encouraged to attend.
Tickets are $35 per person, and RSVPs are requested by Oct. 30. For more information about Impact100 Martin and to reserve tickets for the 10th Anniversary Kickoff, visit impact100martin.org or call 772-245-7770.
About Impact100 Martin
Impact100 Martin is a nonprofit organization with a mission of creating positive, lasting change in the community through collective giving. Founded in 2017, it is a chapter of the national Impact100 Movement founded by philanthropist Wendy Steele to transform communities through the power of women’s philanthropy. It is a member-driven organization that awards grants in $100,000 increments each year to local nonprofits in the areas of arts & culture, education, family, health & wellness, and environment, preservation & recreation. Detailed information about membership, grants, and community impact is available at the website www.impact100martin.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Impact100Martin or on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/impact100-martin-county.