What happens when hundreds of women come together with a shared mission to give back? At Impact100 Garden State, the answer is clear: meaningful change—driven by compassion, collaboration, and collective purpose.
Part philanthropic force, part leadership incubator, this dynamic nonprofit is redefining what it means to give back. By bringing women together to pool their financial resources and award significant community grants, Impact100 Garden State transforms individual generosity into large-scale impact. The result: a ripple effect that touches lives across northern New Jersey — one vote, one voice, and one powerful movement at a time.
Founded on the belief that philanthropy should be accessible and participatory, the organization empowers each member with an equal voice in where the funding goes. Every woman who contributes $1,000 annually becomes part of a larger decision-making body that selects local nonprofit recipients through a democratic voting process.
“It’s an incredible model of collective giving,” says Celeste Campos, who became president of the organization in July 2024. “Every woman has a voice. It’s not just about writing a check—it’s about being part of the decision-making process and seeing the direct result of your involvement in the community.”
Campos joined Impact100 Garden State in 2023 and was immediately struck by the energy and purpose of the women involved. “It’s rare to find a group that is so mission-driven, yet so inclusive,” she shares. “I knew right away I wanted to be more involved.”
Today, Campos is focused on broadening the organization’s reach and fostering a more diverse and inclusive membership. One of her main goals is to recruit younger women and nonprofit professionals who bring fresh perspectives and lived experiences to the table. To remove barriers to entry, the group has established a fellowship program for women who may find the $1,000 membership fee prohibitive.
“The fellowship has allowed us to open the door to women who are deeply passionate about service but might not otherwise be able to join,” Campos explains. “It’s one more way we’re staying true to our mission of empowerment.”
Founded in 2013, the Garden State chapter was the first of its kind in New Jersey and serves a five-county area: Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union. Since its founding, the chapter has awarded $4 million in grants, supporting organizations that address critical community needs ranging from education and public health to food insecurity and youth services.
Two signature events serve as the cornerstone of the organization’s calendar. The highly anticipated “Big Give” took place on June 11. In the previous two weeks, seven nonprofit finalists had presented their grant proposals via video and narrative to the full membership Based on member votes, four of those finalists received $100,000 each, and the remaining three were awarded $10,000 grants.
This month, the group will host its annual membership kickoff event on Sept. 25 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University mansion. The evening will include a keynote discussion led by speakers from Magee-Womens Research Institute on women’s health, along with plenty of opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with fellow members.
Beyond grant-making, Campos is also passionate about the sustainability of the organization itself. Succession planning and leadership development are top priorities as Impact100 Garden State continues to grow and evolve.
“We want to ensure that this organization continues to thrive well into the future,” she notes. “Empowering women and building community is what it’s all about.”
For more information visit impact100gardenstate.org or contact info@impact100gardenstate.org.
For more information about membership or upcoming events, visit impact100gardenstate.org.