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IMPACT100’s 13th philanthropy season kicks off Thursday

At an IMPACT100 event last year, members and founders of Young Bloods Collective present to an audience at the Steamboat Art Museum.
Courtesy photo

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Impact100, a philanthropic program of Yampa Valley Community Foundation, will kick off its 13th season of giving with a party at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Trails Edge Lodge.

The idea is to create an opportunity for those interested in giving back to the community in a fun and affordable way.

“By coming together to pool our donations, we can see firsthand the tremendous impact we can have on issues and needs of the community through the power of collective giving,” said Emily Beyer, Yampa Valley Community Foundation community impact manager.

On Thursday, IMPACT100 participants will have the opportunity to suggest a variety of nonprofits as potential recipients of the grant money. Each participant donates $100 as part of the event, and that money is eventually divided between four nonprofits.

“It’s all member-driven,” Beyer said. “Whoever is participating that year, it’s driven by who they want to hear from, by dropping names in a hat, nominating a nonprofit of their choice.”

The program, which was created more than 10 years ago by a group of Steamboat Springs young professionals, involves four events that run from September to April held at a different location each time.

After Thursday’s event, the 10-person steering committee will select 20 nonprofits to interview based on which organizations they deem make the biggest community impact. From there, the list will be narrowed down to four nonprofits, which will be invited present at the second and third IMPACT100 events in November and February 2019. The final event is held in April 2019.

Since 2006, IMPACT100 has raised $142,150, which was given back to over 43 local nonprofits, and the event has grown to include over 100 people at the IMPACT100 events.

Last year, Integrated Community, Young Bloods Collective, the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and the Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund were recipients of the $11,000 raised.

“I think it’s exciting, because there’s always something new to learn with so many different nonprofits in town,” Beyer said.

The decision of who to fund each year is decided by voters who donate their $100 and submit their nonprofit of choice.

Those interested in joining Impact100 are encouraged to RSVP for the first event. To pay the $100 or learn more about the program, visit yvfc.org.

Those who plan to attend Thursday night’s kick-off are reminded there will be no parking available at Trails Edge Lodge, which was donated by Moving Mountains as the event site. Shuttles will run starting from Thunderhead parking lot from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@SteamboatPilot.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1.


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