How it all started…

In 2015, a group of women came together to look for a way to bring together women in their community to make an impactful difference for nonprofits on the Virginia Peninsula. Knowing they could not do it alone, they recruited women from all walks of life to join them, and Impact 100 Greater Peninsula was born. Today, Impact 100 GP still operates on the same principles, in partnership with the Peninsula Community Foundation, as a donor-advised fund. Since its inception, Impact 100 Greater Peninsula has awarded near $700,000.00 to numerous nonprofits on the Virginia Peninsula.

For more information about Impact100, check out Wendy Steele’s founding story.

The Impact100 Model

The Impact100 model is readily available to all communities who wish to implement it. The model is designed to empower women to see themselves as philanthropists and overcome the barriers women have historically faced in this arena. The model is designed for transformational grant-making within local communities. Our local communities include: Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, James City County, Williamsburg, York County, Gloucester, Isle of Wight and Smithfield.

Women
Coming Together

Join with others
to make an
$1,100 impact

Funds granted to
Local Charities

Focus Areas

We provide nonprofit organizations with grants in increments up to $50,000 across five broad Focus Areas:

Arts & Culture

Education

Family

Health & Wellness

Environment

How it Works

The annual donations of Impact100 Greater Peninsula members are pooled into a grant fund to be given away to nonprofit organizations in our community. The number and size of grants awarded are dependent on our membership, but our goal is to give incremental grants up to $50,000 each year at our Annual Big Give. Grants can be awarded in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Family, Health & Wellness, and Environment. Grants are awarded based on a vote of the Impact100 Greater Peninsula membership at our annual meeting. Every woman who gives $1,100 or more has one vote. If a woman chooses to join a circle of 4, every woman has a 1/4 vote, to join a circle of 3, every woman has a 1/3 vote, and so on.

BOARD MEMBERS

Lacey Grey Hunter
Co-Chair
Lacey Grey Hunter
Co-Chair

Lacey Grey Hunter has been a resident of the Hampton Roads Community since her parents moved her into her residence hall room at Christopher Newport more than 17 years ago. After completing her studies at Christopher Newport, Lacey Grey earned her master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of South Carolina.

She is passionate about the Greater Peninsula and enjoys giving back through Impact 100. She currently serves as the Director of the President’s Leadership Program at Christopher Newport and as an adjunct faculty member for leadership studies. In her free time, Lacey Grey enjoys playing volleyball and horseback riding.

Kelly Pappas
Co-Chair
Kelly Pappas
Co-Chair

Bio Coming Soon!!

Jennifer Brambley
Peninsula Community Foundation
Jennifer Brambley
Peninsula Community Foundation

Bio Coming Soon!!

Alyson Heidenthal
Events Committee
Alyson Heidenthal
Events Committee

Alyson Heidenthal works for The Rutherford Mortgage Team powered by Caliber Home Loans. Prior to jumping into her new role in the mortgage industry, Alyson worked as a Health Care Administrator for 8 years. Alyson is passionate about helping create a better community for future generations. In her free time, she  loves being with her family, laughing, exercising, and being at the beach. She lives in Newport News with her husband and 3 children.

Amanda Hutchison
Events Committee
Amanda Hutchison
Events Committee

Amanda has taught Preschool in Poquoson for the last 7 years, which has been a great match to her love for creative & crafty self-expression.

She lives for adventure alongside her husband and kids. You’ll find them all outside as often as possible, at the beach, on the water, or taking day trips to new places. Amanda loves cooking, reading and exercising with a deep love for a good book, a glass of good red wine, and the perfect lemon pound cake. (Hence the exercising!)

Amanda was born and raised in Poquoson and is currently a new resident of York County (and loving it!)

Kelly Pappas
Co-Chair
Kelly Pappas
Co-Chair

Bio Coming Soon!!

Crystal Howser
Grants Committee
Crystal Howser
Grants Committee

Crystal Howser has worked with children for over 15 years. She has been described “freakishly enthusiastic” about early childhood development and advocacy. She has had many roles in early childhood education. She is now an Infant and Toddler Specialist with the Center for Child and Family Services. She is a certified trainer through the Program for Infant and Toddler Care, out of West Ed in California, as well as a CLASS observer.

She is an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, as well as a committee member of the Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children, and a member of the SECOVA-the South Eastern Chapter of VAAEYC.

Crystal received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee, where she fell in love with early childhood education, working at the local child development center on campus, and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Virginia Commonwealth University.

She is a wife and mother who enjoys time with family and friends, advocacy work, and exercising!