Impact100 Garden State announces 2026 Grant Recipients at the Big Give Celebration



Impact100 Garden State awarded $440,000 in grants to eight outstanding nonprofit organizations at its annual Big Give on June 10 at Birchwood Manor in Whippany. Four organizations received $100,000 high-impact grants, and four were awarded unrestricted $10,000 Merit Awards. The 2026 Grant Recipients were selected by a vote of Impact100 Garden State members. This year's $100,000 high-impact grant recipients are:

Family Promise Union County: Funding to support its program, Master Leasing Plan– Improving Housing Access for Low-Income Families.

Great Swamp Watershed Association: Funding for the Loantaka Brook Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan.

Roots & Wings: Funding for its program, Advancing Career Pathways for NJ Youth Aging Out of Foster Care.

Safe + Sound Somerset: Support for Pathways to Protection: Survivor-Centered Justice Access and Legal Advocacy Initiative

The 2026 Merit Award recipients are:

Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs: Sana Soul – A Bilingual, Holistic Community Wellness Center

Northern NJ Safe Kids/Safe Communities: Keep Kids Safe in Car Seats and Cribs!

Project U.S.E.: Seeds to Sustainability: Building a Community Garden in Dover

Reach Out and Read New Jersey: Prescription for Reading: Strengthening Literacy and Relational Health

"All the organizations receiving grants are doing essential work in our communities, answering varied needs and changing lives every day," said Impact100 Garden State President Celeste Campos. "We are so proud to support them in expanding their impact through these grants, which are entirely funded by our 432 generous members."

This year represents a record number of grants awarded by Impact100 Garden State, thanks to the organization's continued growth in both membership and contributions. "And we hope more women will join us in making a difference in the coming year!" said Campos.

The evening's celebration included the announcement of the 2026 recipients, as well as an opportunity for Impact100 Garden State members to get to know the finalists and their organizations even better through informal socializing and a panel discussion. During the panel, each finalist was invited to answer a question about an aspect of their work, from community relationships and sources of inspiration to memorable moments and what most people may not know about the organization. Their inspiring comments were followed by the announcement of the $100,000 grant recipients and the presentation of the Merit Awards.

Impact100 Garden State is an all-women, all-volunteer organization that pools member contributions to make high-impact grants. The group has donated nearly $4.5 million to nonprofits in Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union Counties. To learn more about joining, donating, or becoming a sponsor, visit www.impact100gardenstate.org.