Two local nonprofits awarded $100k grants

After presentations and a vote by its membership, Impact 100 Richmond awarded $100,000 transformative grants to two local nonprofits – Shalom Farms and Peter Paul Development Center – for expanding their respective organizations.

Impact 100 Richmond announced the winners at its annual Big Give event at The Steward School Tuesday night. Partnering with The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, Impact 100 unites hundreds of women across the community to create $100,000 grants to strengthen Richmond area nonprofits.

Shalom Farms grows and distributes fresh produce to under served areas of metro Richmond. Once the organization receives the grant, the money will help the organization relocate to a larger, more accessible farm, tripling production, distribution and educational opportunities to those with limited or no access to fresh food.

The second award recipient, Peter Paul Development Center, supports residents in the East End of Richmond and educates its students by equipping them to serve as positive contributors to their family, community and society. The grant money will help complete the organization’s 5,000-square-foot capital expansion campaign, nearly doubling the number of children served through its on-site academic program.

Leah Fremouw, Impact 100 chair, said in a written statement that her organization is excited about the grant recipients and the impact they already have on the community and will have in the future.

“Both Shalom Farms and Peter Paul Development Center are expanding their spaces and, therefore, their reach. For Peter Paul it means more students and families will receive the support they need to break the cycle of poverty. The grant to Shalom Farms will allow more people living in food deserts to have greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” Fremouw said.

Impact 100 seeks to fund projects that have a long-term impact, are programmatic in nature, are new or extensions of an existing project that changes the way the community or the organization operates and demonstrates measurable outcomes. Grants align with the following focus areas: arts and culture, education, environment, family and health and wellness.

The Impact 100 strategy involves at least 100 women giving $1,100 each to create one or more $100,000 grants – with $1,000 used to support the important work of grant recipients and $100 to support ongoing operations. Members also can pool resources through an Impact Circle – two or three individuals who combine efforts to reach a full $1,100 donation.