Frequently Asked Questions

Our women’s giving circle is dedicated to creating transformative, lasting change in Sonoma County through the collective philanthropy of women.

• To engage women in philanthropy and collectively fund grants to nonprofit organizations in Sonoma County, selected through a competitive application process
• To educate women about important issues and needs in Sonoma County and about the nonprofits and initiatives working to address those needs
• To connect women with opportunities for personal philanthropy and volunteer involvement
• To provide occasions for community-spirited women to network and socialize

Impact 100 Redwood Circle is based on the Impact 100 model established in 2001 to expand and empower women’s roles in philanthropy. Each local chapter comprises 100 or more women, who make an annual donation of $1,000, with the goal of creating a $100,000 Impact Grant. 

Any funds in excess of this are designated for smaller Merit and Community Grants. Amounts for these grants vary annually. Impact 100 Redwood Circle annually awards one $100,000 Impact Grant, two Merit Grants and multiple Community Grants as funding allows.

Members nominate nonprofits for our grants. Our volunteer Impact and Community Grants Subcommittees vet the nominees’ applications through careful evaluation processes and present finalists for membership vote. Members vote to determine all grant awards.

Community Foundation Sonoma County, a qualified nonprofit, manages Impact 100 Redwood Circle’s funds. As such gifts (or donations) made to Impact 100 are tax-deductible.

A membership is $1,000 per annual grant cycle and is tax-deductible. 100% of this donation goes towards grants. New members may join at any time. Membership is for 12 months with a 30-day grace period for renewal. 

An additional tax-deductible donation of $125 per year is added to each membership for administrative costs. Members in good standing vote in each grant decision process.

• Two women may donate $500 each (equaling $1,000) as a Dyad membership. An additional tax-deductible donation of $125 per year from each Dyad member covers administrative costs.
• Women find their own “partner” to form their dyad membership before joining.
• Dyad members share one vote in each grant decision process.
• Our Core Values Membership Fund helps women with diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and incomes consider membership in Impact 100 Redwood Circle by providing qualified applicants with membership funds.

• Nonprofits providing services in Sonoma County
• Tax-exempt under IRS code section 501(c)(3) and registered with the Registry of Charitable Trusts, State of California Department of Justice
• Non-discriminatory based on race, gender, sexual identification or orientation, national origin, or immigration status
• Under a 2023 pilot program, the Impact and Merit Grants are designated for nonprofits operating in the Health/Community Betterment focus area. The Community Grants are designated for nonprofits operating in our other three focus areas: Education; Arts/Culture; and Environment/Parks/Sustainability/Recreation

• Religious or faith-based
• International 
• Legislation and public policy and/or lobbying

• We have two grant cycles: The $100,000 Impact Grant (and accompanying two Merit Grants that vary in amount from year to year), which are awarded in the fall, and multiple, smaller Community Grants (amounts vary from year to year) which are awarded in the spring. Under a 2023 pilot, The Impact and Merit Grants are designated for organizations operating in our Health/Community Betterment focus area. Community Grants are designated for organizations operating in our focus areas of Arts/Culture; Education; and Environment/Parks/Sustainability/Recreation. In 2024, the pilot project was changed to allow nonprofits with operating budgets under $500,000 that operate in the Health/Community Betterment focus area to apply for Community Grants.
• Grant nominations are solicited from all members in good standing. The Impact Grant Subcommittee invites eligible nominated nonprofits to apply and reviews and evaluates applications. The selection process includes a Letter of Intent, Full Proposal Application, Question and Answer session. Three finalists are selected who provide a pre-recorded presentation and written statement for an online ballot. This is sent to all Impact 100 Redwood Circle members who vote by online ballot.
• The Community Grants Subcommittee invites eligible nominated nonprofits to apply and reviews and evaluates applications. The selection process is a single application. Finalists are selected and voted on by all members via online ballot.
• Grantees are recognized at one of two annual Awards Celebration meetings —  in the spring (Community Grants) and the fall (Impact and Merit Grants).

Any member of Impact 100 Redwood Circle, with the exception of Honorary Members, may volunteer on the Impact or Community Grant Subcommittee.

It is important to have broad membership representation on the grants subcommittees due to their important role in the evaluation process. Grants subcommittees sizes may range from 10-20 members to meet this goal. Read more about the role of the grants subcommittees here.

Members interested in serving on either of the grants subcommittees may indicate their interest by submitting the Contact Us form.

See complete Impact Grant Guidelines here
See complete Community Grants Guidelines here

We invite you to Contact Us with any questions. Your questions will be directed to the appropriate person or committee to facilitate a timely response.