Impact100 Essex offers a $100,000 Impact Grant annually to a single nonprofit organization undertaking a transformational initiative that benefits underserved communities in Essex County, New Jersey. Founded as a collective giving circle of over 100 women, Impact100 Essex pools member donations to fund impactful local projects. Each grant cycle culminates in a membership vote following a competitive selection process, including a site visit and public presentation of finalist initiatives. The grant represents a significant opportunity for a nonprofit to scale, deepen, or launch an innovative program or project, now expanded to include both new and ongoing efforts under the term “initiatives.”
Eligible initiatives must be strategic and timely, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and address unmet community needs. Proposals should show why the chosen approach is effective and how it directly supports the target population. Organizations must commit to spending the full grant within two years and show a complete funding plan for the initiative. Impact100 Essex allows up to 20% of the budget to be used for overhead costs directly related to the initiative but does not support general operating expenses, lobbying, debt relief, re-granting, or individual grants.
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or have a fiscal sponsor with that designation, have operated for at least three years, and maintain annual revenues of $100,000 or more. Financial eligibility includes providing either IRS Form 990s for the past two years or certified financial statements for the past three years, depending on the organization’s size and structure. All services supported by the grant must be delivered within Essex County, although the organization’s headquarters may be located elsewhere.
The application process begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI), which must be submitted via the Submittable platform between November 17 and December 18, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by February 20, 2026. Up to ten semifinalists will be chosen for site visits occurring between March 18 and March 25, 2026. Finalists will be announced on April 10, 2026, and participate in a public event on April 29, 2026, culminating in a membership vote. The grant awardee will be announced on May 4, 2026.
Impact100 Essex emphasizes readiness, strategic planning, and community alignment in its evaluation process. Prior successful applicants have been those who clearly articulated the problem, demonstrated capability and capacity, and provided detailed plans for implementation and evaluation. Support resources, including LOI previews and submission guidance, are available on the funder’s website to assist applicants in preparing competitive proposals.
Clearly articulate need and solution; justify strategy; provide a detailed, realistic budget and evaluation plan; demonstrate readiness to implement within two years
