Ten years. Three million dollars. Countless lives changed for the better, in one way or another.

It was 2016 when a few women got together and launched Impact100 Traverse City, hoping to organize and empower other local women who want to improve their community. A decade in, the organization has made transformational grants to more than two dozen local nonprofits in the Grand Traverse region.

“We knew that working together, we could make a larger impact in the community. Ten years later, to see the impact that it’s had is just fantastic. Three million dollars is huge,” Allison Beers, one of those founding members, tells The Ticker. “It just proves that we live in such a caring community that truly loves to help one another.”

The premise of Impact 100 is simple: At least 100 women kick in $1,000 each, accept grant applications and then decide on a worthy recipient for a $100,000 grant. If there are more than 100 women, then they can give multiple grants. The Traverse City chapter (one of about 80 worldwide) has always had more than 300 members and has regularly made three $100,000-plus grants per year.

A membership drive each year determines how many women get involved. Though many come back year after year, it’s not required. In all, more than 1,000 women have participated in at least one grant cycle. Some serve on committees that help carefully vet the grant applicants, others just send in a check.

“It’s guilt-free, and I think that’s been huge,” Beers says. “You can get involved as much or as little as you want, and for busy women, that’s a big deal.”

Grants cover five focus areas: Arts & culture, education, environment & recreation, family and health & wellness. Grant recipients have included Goodwill Northern Michigan’s Food Rescue program, the Women’s Resource Center, United Way of Northwest Michigan, Single MOMM, Grass River Natural Area and many more.

Women enjoy the networking and camaraderie involved in being part of the organization, chapter President Amy Devey says, but ultimately the biggest draw is making a real difference. Collective giving allows for major impact, and seeing grant recipients make good with the money builds positive momentum that members can be proud of.

“It allows you to feel like you're leaving a legacy in a way that you can be really proud of and have some tangible results that you can see year over year,” Devey says. “There’s pride that comes with the opportunity to be associated with an entity like this.”

Impact is also known for very careful review of its grant applicants, Devey says, which gives members confidence.

“We have such a rigorous, thorough process of vetting projects that nonprofits are proposing, so when you give your $1,000, you know for sure that it's going to something that's been looked at financially, that it's going to be sustainable, and that it's going to have a really broad reach,” she says. “You know your money is going to something really great.”

Despite all the good done over the years, the organization isn’t exactly inundated with grant applications every year, Devey says. It’s something they hope to change.

“We're constantly looking for ways to grow and reach as many nonprofits as possible,” she says. “(We want) more nonprofits in to apply so that we can continue to reach as many people as possible.”

Impact 100 membership for the 2026 grant cycle closes March 31, and the organization is hosting a public “last call” event at 5:30 pm. on March 26 at West Shore Bank for women interested in learning more.

Photo: The founding board of directors.