Impact 100 Owensboro will announce finalists for four grants on Aug. 20 at noon at Foust Elementary School.
The organization combines annual $1,000 donations from a minimum of 100 members, giving large grants each fall to local worthy causes selected by the members. The only membership requirements are to be female and to donate $1,000 each year. The popularity of the organization has allowed it to give two $100,000 grants, a $41,000 residual grant and a $13,000 grant, which is supported and given by teenagers of Impact 100 Next Generation.
Applications were turned in by June 5 for consideration. After the Aug. 20 announcement of finalists, Impact 100 will visit the sites of the chosen finalists and announce winners on Oct. 17.
Last year, St. Joseph Peace Mission was one of two recipients of a $100,000 grant to construct the Hayden Home for Girls, a 3,040 square foot residential treatment facility for young women between the ages of 12 and 18 years old.
Although the grant covers only one-third of the total cost of the project, St. Joseph Peace Mission President Paula Yevincy said that the construction project began with the grant by making the foundation for the home possible.
“It helped get it off the ground, literally,” Yevincy said.
The Hayden Home for Girls will house eight girls, two in each of the four resident bedrooms and allow office space for case managers and therapists to meet with the residents, along with two staff at all times.
St. Joseph Peace Mission Board President Harry Bellew said that they hope to open the home Sept. 1.
Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky applied for each of the Impact 100 grants in 2018, including a project for one of the $100,000 grants to restore its lake and build a landscaping utility building. While that project was not funded, Hospice did receive $16,000 in a 2018 residual grant.
Residual grants are not restricted to a particular project, so the nonprofit is still reviewing how this funding will be used, said Brenda Knollenberg, development manager for the nonprofit.
“How we use the grant money will be dependent on many factors including the amount of charity care needed by patients and their families this year,” Knollenberg said. “We are also reviewing additional grant funding we may receive from other sources that could be ‘paired’ with this residual grant to help accomplish even greater impact in our community.”
Knollenberg said that in 2018, Hospice and Palliative Care of Western KY provided almost $400,000 of uncompensated care to individuals and families.
“No one is ever turned away from hospice services for inability to pay. We use funds from generous donors, fundraising events and unrestricted grants to provide support to our patients and families – people right here in our community – and ensure that they receive the care they have come to know and expect from our organization,” Knollenberg said.
OASIS (Owensboro Area Shelter & Information Services) received an Impact 100 NextGen grant of $10,200 last year for a new playground. The space will also be used by counselors for play therapy for children with post-traumatic stress.
“We are halfway done with the project,” said Andrea Robinson, executive director for OASIS.
The shelter is still working on the installation of the toddler and infant-age equipment, but expect completion in the next few weeks, Robinson said.
OASIS did not apply for 2019 Impact grants, but Robinson said they hope to in the future.
“We are so grateful for the opportunity to better the area for our clients,” Robinson said. “We are humbled by the next generation of youth willing to support such an important — and numerous other important — community projects.”
A combined total of $254,000 will be awarded to local nonprofits at the October annual meeting.
