The Pensacola Bay Area IMPACT 100 is like a winning sports team. There is passion to work collectively to achieve a goal, but it takes the generosity of each individual to achieve it. Kristin Longley served a two-year term as president. It was like being team captain: “I can’t move transformative change individually, but with my IMPACT sisters, I know I can contribute over a Million dollars to the community, and that is something that we can all be proud of each year.“
That sense of sisterhood drives IMPACT. Kristen stepped up to the podium at this year’s membership reveal celebration wearing a royal blue dress, the team color for IMPACT. Her sisters in the audience mirror her as a sea of blue.
Kristin reminded her “true blue” team that they have done their fair share of giving. Since its inception in 2003, the Pensacola chapter has awarded $16,284,000 in grants to area nonprofit organizations.
What is perhaps more amazing is this year, the local IMPACT has a record 1,208 women in its membership. That makes Pensacola “the largest IMPACT 100 in the world!”, Kristen exclaims. The achievement results from countless hours of hard work and dedication by an all-volunteer board.
In March, in recognition of her accomplishments, the Junior League of Pensacola named Longley, Philanthropist of the Year. She has worked with IMPACT 100 in various roles since joining in 2012. She juggles a family and career along with her volunteer work. “I have served Cox Communications as both, a Regional Marketing Director and in my current role, as East Region Public Affairs Director.” Still, she makes time to give. “I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. I am very blessed by a wonderful family and a dynamic career, and honestly believe that it is critically important for each of us to make the biggest difference that we can while we are here on earth.”
Susan Bonsignore, a ninth-generation Pensacolian, has served on the board for the last four years, most recently as membership chair. She explained, “One hundred percent of membership goes to grants.” Each woman who joins IMPACT pays a yearly fee of one thousand dollars. She added, “It is One woman. One vote. One thousand dollars,” so 200 new members mean 12 non-profits will each receive $100,670 dollars in grants in the Pensacola year.
The concept of collective giving is not new, but twenty years ago, a local woman brought that idea to Pensacola. Debbie Ritchie was in the carpool line when she read a magazine article published in January 2003 about women in Cincinnati who had each given $1,000 to provide grants to a non-profit in their community. She approached a small group of women gathered that year at a Super Bowl Party in Pensacola and ignited the idea. “Collective and high-impact giving is exciting, but we valued and wanted more. We also liked the idea of empowering women to be more educated and involved in their philanthropic giving. Debbie hoped “to find at least 100 women to give,” but that first year her friends recruited 500.
Belle Bear was one of those original members. She remains Board Member Emeritus and Debbie, President Emeritus. “It makes a difference in your life when you give that thousand dollars. It’s like giving a million. She marvels at the impact. “We call it the impact of IMPACT.” She shares a story about a non-profit that was not selected as a grant recipient, but by the end of the day, they got what was needed. “My husband and the Bear family foundation, we gave the money.” Giving, she says, is infectious.
Debbie thrives on those examples of selflessness. “The impact of IMPACT still amazes and inspires me all these years later. This community has a lot of heart, and some giving and committed women at the center of it.” Susan agrees, “If you have it in your heart to make a difference, IMPACT 100 is for you.”
Kristen believes a quote by an anonymous author sums up what the women of IMPACT do: “Life is life as echo,” she reads, “What you give comes back to you, so give goodness.”
If you have it in your heart to make a difference, IMPACT 100 is for you.
Life is life as echo, what you give comes back to you, so give goodness.
