COVID-19 Grants Final Report

All $224,000 of Third Year Impact 100 Martin Grant Funds Awarded

We are proud to announce that over a five month period from April through August,100% of Impact 100 Martin’s 3rd year $224,000 grant funds has been awarded to 14 local nonprofits who needed assistance in providing services to our community during the pandemic. Sixteen grants were actually funded by Impact 100 Martin with two organizations receiving two grants each in different months. A BIG thank you to our members for making all this possible through their membership commitment and their overwhelming vote to make a one-time change in the grants process to help nonprofits and those they serve during the COVID-19 crisis.

Plans are underway for our 4th year when we will be returning to our regular grants process of awarding $100,000 Impact Grants to programs that have significant lasting impact in Martin County.  We and the area nonprofits are counting on your continued commitment to make our 4th year a success.

August

ARC of Martin County – $7,000
In April, Impact 100 had funded $21,323 for laptops to enable remote supervision and to cover additional services for new clients gained due to COVID-19. This second grant will assist in funding an employment program developed to offer job training and career opportunities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities while assisting businesses in the community with much needed cleaning and disinfecting services in response to the pandemic. We are one of four funders who together will fulfill their total program request of $24,035.

Helping People Succeed – $5,638
As agreed with one other funder, Impact 100 is paying for half of the $11,275 requested to purchase an additional server, licenses and security protection to enable additional employees to serve Martin County clients virtually. With the combination of this new server and the current server, 43 employees will be able to provide services remotely to current clients as well as to be able to expand enrollment.

Martin County Healthy Start Coalition – $25,916
Impact 100 is funding the entire request for $21,416 to pay for a 2017 used Ford van, including vehicle wrap and one year of insurance and gas. The van is needed primarily to transport diapers and other supplies to regular as well as to satellite pantry distribution sites where pregnant women and new mothers have transportation issues and the demand for diapers has more than doubled. Having the van will mitigate liability risks and decrease expenses as staff is currently using their personal cars. With the vehicle wrap, there is opportunity for our Impact logo to be displayed so be on the lookout for it. We also funded $4,500 to help purchase new computers so the staff can work remotely to ensure continuity of operations and reaching clients through virtual home visits during the pandemic. Another funder awarded $9,500 for the balance of the computer request.

Martin County Police Athletic League – $4,940
Due to COVID-19 related closing of the Sheriff’s Office facility, Impact 100 will help MCPAL continue their youth programs dedicated to sportsmanship, friendly competition and fitness for boys and girls living at or below the poverty level. Current programs (boxing, wrestling and youth leadership), which help to create relationships with law enforcement as mentors and coaches, are being moved to the Boxing Gym. Our grant will fund internet service, computer upgrade, TV, fans, tables and chairs, PPE supplies at the Gym, as well as boxing equipment starter packs for participants.

SafeSpace – $17,725
Impact 100 is providing 50% of the total funding requested to employ a part time cleaning/janitorial person for a year and to purchase workstation and bed shields, air purifier and filters, PPE and cleaning supplies to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Stuart emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and their families. Currently, cleaning and disinfecting are being done by shelter advocates which is taking away from their time working with victims and their children. One other funder is contributing an additional $5,000 and another reusable masks.

July

The Education Foundation of Martin County– $13,800
Impact 100 funding will pay for 920 learning kits for elementary-aged children in Indiantown. The kits were designed with teachers’ input and consist of grade-level specific school supplies: flashcards, books to read, coordinating book study and math worksheet packets, coloring and activity or puzzle books. The kits will enable the children to continue learning regardless of school opening situation or internet connection limitations. Kits will be distributed at Warfield Elementary when families pick up meals provided by the school district.

June

Council on Aging of Martin County$12,500
In April, Impact 100 had funded $15,000 for a walk-in freezer needed to meet increased demand for the Meals on Wheels program due to the pandemic. A second Impact 100 grant was given this month for a new commercial grade replacement dishwasher for the same and other senior programs provided by the organization.

Hope Rural School – $10,000
Impact 100 funding will assist in the purchase of Chromebooks for one-on-one and virtual classroom teaching. This would allow for continued learning for K-5 children in Indiantown, including distant and/or blended learning, while adhering to social distancing mandates.  We are one of five funders who are fulfilling their total request of $67,251 for 140 Chromebooks with 3-year service contracts, insurance and hard shell protective cases.
 
Salvation Army of Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties – $11,000
Our funding will help pay operating expenses for Compassion House in Martin County which provides shelter and meals for homeless women and their children while they work to find stable employment and housing.  Impact 100 and two other funders are fulfilling their total request of $32,275.

May

House of Hope $12,484
Impact 100 funds will assist with operating expenses for their production farm and nutrition center which play important roles in HOH’s ability to provide food, especially with the increased demand during the pandemic. We are one of five funders who together are fulfilling their total request of $52,869.

April

ARC of Martin County — $21,323
Impact 100 funding paid for laptops to allow ARC to supervise their 11 residential locations remotely and cover additional services for 16 new clients they gained due to other agencies closing.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County — $27,600
Funding was requested for technology, materials and supplies for a virtual academic enrichment program due to schools and clubs closing. Educational kits will be distributed to children in conjunction with meal distribution. We are one of three funders who together are fulfilling their entire virtual learning request of $65,600. Impact funds will cover 1,500 art kits, 1,500 social-emotional learning kits and nine Surface Pro tablets.

Council on Aging of Martin County – $15,000
Our funding will pay for an additional walk-in freezer for the Meals on Wheels program. This is needed to expand the capacity to meet the increased demand resulting from the pandemic.

Light of the World Charities — $12,632
We funded their total request for 60 days of operating expenses. They are providing emergency dental services only. Staff continues to work remotely answering calls, assessing families’ needs, electronically submitting prescriptions and conducting daily operations, such as grant/loan applications and virtual in-service training.

Tykes & Teens — $17,442
Impact 100 funds are being used to maintain the Youth Enrichment Services (YES) program, an established counseling program for pre-teens and adolescents who are struggling with alcohol, drugs or other dangerous behaviors. Like many nonprofits’ programs, YES had a deficit due to a COVID-19-related reduction in revenue.

Volunteers in Medicine — $9,000
Our funding will pay co-payments for clients who are unable to get needed medications donated by drug manufacturers. This is a service VIM currently provides and they are seeing an increase in demand for this support since the pandemic has caused clients to lose their jobs

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