Impact100 Essex Awards $100,000 Grant to Butterfly Dreamz
Disperses over $180,000 to Essex County nonprofits in its 5th year
Essex County, NJ, January 27, 2022 - Impact100 Essex awarded its 5th annual $100,000 Impact Grant to Butterfly Dreamz. Through its Cocoon Club program, Butterfly Dreamz connects girls from marginalized communities to mentorship, scholarships, and holistic leadership development, equipping girls to be confident leaders who disrupt the status quo. The Impact100 Essex Grant will help Butterfly Dreamz cover the costs of employing high school and college interns in Essex County who work with their staff to design the Cocoon Club, facilitate engaging programs, and support their growing community.
“As a small, Black woman-led nonprofit, our access to large philanthropic gifts is often limited,” said Joy Lindsay, Founder & CEO of Butterfly Dreamz. “Up until now, our work has been primarily sustained by individuals from our community who, on average, donate about $100 per year. The Impact100 Essex grant affirms our work and signals to other funders that we matter – that we too are deserving of large philanthropic investments and that there is a powerful network of over 100 women in Essex County who truly believe in our mission, my leadership, and most importantly, our girls.”
“We are thrilled to fund a Black-led, woman-led, young organization providing community and opportunity to girls of color, empowering them to thrive,” said Renee Reso, Co-Chair, Grants Committee, Impact100 Essex. “Joy’s energy, passion and dedication is inspiring! We’re excited to see how our funding amplifies her mission and reach.”
Butterfly Dreamz was joined by three other finalists whose outstanding projects were reviewed by Impact100 Essex members: South Ward Promise Neighborhood, Urban League of Essex County, and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice.
Jill Edinburg, Co-Chair, Grants Committee, Impact100 Essex, commented “We are proud of our engaged membership and a review process that led to four outstanding finalists. Any one of them deserved to be the Impact Grant recipient. We are so pleased that we are giving $10,000 Leverage Grants to these other three organizations to bolster their vision and work.”
In addition, for the first time, Impact100 Essex funded three $15,000 unrestricted Equity Grants available to BIPOC-led non-profit organizations (nonprofits led by Black, Indigenous and other People of Color) in Essex County. The recipients of these grants are Arts Ed Newark, Sierra House and Newark Science and Sustainability. “By piloting these Equity Grants, Impact100 Essex is signaling its trust and value in grassroots nonprofits led by people of color in our county,” said Mayuri Chandra, Co-Chair, DEI Action Committee, Impact100 Essex. “More than just the funding, I hope the greater exposure to all 21 applicants honors and benefits their great work.”
Impact100 Essex also awarded Inspiration Grants of $1,000 to semi-finalists Bridges, La Casa De Don Pedro, The Salvation Army, The Trust for Public Land, Write On Sports, and Wynona's House.
About Impact100 Essex:
Impact100 Essex is a philanthropic, collective giving group funded by women in Essex County. Impact100 Essex enables members to amplify their giving and empower solutions for the community. Impact100 Essex grants are funded by gifts of $1,100 per member, per year. For information on how to join or to apply for a grant visit www.Impact100Essex.org.
About Butterfly Dreamz:
Butterfly Dreamz, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps girls develop into women who achieve their dreams and fill the roles of leadership in this nation and world. Through its Cocoon Club program, Butterfly Dreamz connects girls from marginalized communities to mentorship, scholarships, and holistic leadership development, equipping girls to be confident leaders who disrupt the status quo. For more information please visit www.butterflydreamz.org.
For Media Inquiries, contact Sara Erichson, Impact100 Essex
Email: sara.erichson@gmail.com
