Impact100 Owensboro and Impact100 NextGen have announced the local nonprofits in the running for a share of more than $337,000 in grant funding this year.
Impact100 will award $332,500 across four grants, while NextGen — the youth-led branch of the organization — will present a $5,200 grant. Finalists were revealed Thursday during a ceremony at the H.L. Neblett Community Center, a 2024 recipient.
The finalists for each grant are:
NextGen Grant Finalists
(one winner to receive a $5,200 grant)
- The Center of Owensboro Daviess County
- Empowerment Academy
- Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center
Impactful Grant Finalists
(one winner to receive a $32,500 grant)
- Encore Musicals
- Salvation Army
Transformational Grant Finalists
(three winners to each receive a $100,000 grant)
- Daviess County Public Schools Foundation
- Green River Area Food Warehouse
- University of Louisville Foundation
- Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum
- Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club
- Fresh Start for Women
Winners will be chosen on October 28 during Impact100’s annual meeting at the RiverPark Center. Finalists will present their projects to members, who will vote to determine the recipients.
Impact100 is celebrating its 20th year of providing grants to local nonprofits. Since its founding, the women-led group has focused on what it calls “high-impact and lifelong giving.”
“In our seven dedicated focus groups this summer, we were exceedingly fortunate to have 134 Impact100 members who volunteered their time to dive deep into their group’s grant applications and visit the local nonprofit agencies that applied for grants this year,” said Emily Baur, Impact100 Owensboro Grants Committee Co-Chair. “Nonprofit organizations are the heart of our community, and our members love supporting the diligent work of our area nonprofits.”
Beth Clements, president of Impact100 Owensboro, said this year marks the organization’s largest pool of funding yet.
“As we continue to celebrate 20 years of transformational giving in Owensboro, we are proud of the relationships we have built with area nonprofits and our dedicated members,” Clements said. “Partnering together, we can achieve our mission of making real and lasting change, one grant at a time.”
Sydney Warren, chair of Impact100 NextGen, added that the youth-led group is preparing the next wave of community leaders.
“Through thoughtful giving and collaborative decision-making, NextGen members are learning what it means to lead with purpose — and we could not be prouder of the impact they are making,” Warren said.
The Neblett Center — which hosted the finalist announcement — received a $100,000 grant in 2024. The funds are being used to renovate the daycare playground with new surfaces, sunshades, and sensory equipment designed to support healthy development for young children.
For more information on Impact100 Owensboro and NextGen, visit impact100owensboro.org.
