Impact100 names its three finalists for $100K grant

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - One local non-profit is about to be forever changed thanks to a $100,000 grant.

Impact100 Greater Wausau has announced its three finalists for the Impact100 grant. In what is now the fourth year of the grant, by the end of this cycle, they will have given over $500,000 to local non-profit organizations.

The three non-profits are NAMI Northwoods, Bridge Community Clinic, and the Hmong American Center.

The idea started with 100 women each donating $1,000 to equal $100,000. The money is awarded to a non-profit the donors vote for and this year they have the highest participation yet. They have 149 women participating. Which brings the total to $149,000. That means the one with the most votes will be awarded $100,000 and the other two finalists will get $24,500 to improve their non-profit. It’s taken a lot to get to this point with a pre-application, full application, site visit, and now the final three.

“We serve as an educational resource center for the underserved communities, mainly toward the southeast Asian community,” said Andy Her, special projects coordinator for the Hmong American Center.

They’d use the funding to expand their FUN program within the Hmong American Center.

“It’s one of our main programs that we have at the moment,” said Her.

“Especially with improving our elders mental health and just being able to give them engaging opportunities to be a part of the community as a whole,” said Bee Lor, project coordinator for the Hmong American Center.

NAMI Northwoods also focuses on mental health.

“NAMI is really focused on three key areas education, support, and advocacy in the community,” Brandon Krautkramer, president of NAMI Northwoods said.

If they took home the $100,000 they said they’d hire paid staff and focus on programming.

“Also working on improving our technology so that we can virtually reach all the corners of Marathon County,” NAMI Northwoods Executive Director Tracy Johnson said.

“The best part about this is all of the new things we’ve been trying to work on, this is going to make a lot of those new plans come true,” Krautkramer said.

Bridge Community Clinic also has big plans.

“We would be renovating a space that we have that’s designated for truly integrated care,” Executive Director of Bridge Community Health Clinic Jen Smith said.

Bridge Community Health Clinic is a federally qualified health center which Smith says means they’re the area’s only safety net provider.

“Everybody that comes to us for care whether it’s primary medical care, dental care, or behavioral health care they’re going to receive the care that they need whether or not they have insurance or the ability to pay,” Smith explained.

Patients would be able to see a care provider, a dental hygienist, a social worker, a care manager, and a member of the behavioral health team all in one visit.

“We can really work with those patients and their families to meet all their needs in one step,” Smith added.

Regardless of who is voted number one, Impact100 board member Sarah Sewall said they’ve all been deemed worthy by the women who make it possible.

“It’s more of an interactive process than most grants where people apply and then are told yes or no because people apply and then there is this back and forth and honing in on the project,” Sarah Sewall, board member, Impact100 Greater Wausau said. “It really feels like the women are a part of it and are getting to know the non-profits on a more personal level.”

Each finalist will give a five-minute presentation to the 149 women before they cast their votes. The annual award celebration, where we’ll find out who gets the $100,000, will be held on May 13.

If you want to participate next year but coming up with the money is a challenge, they have a scholarship membership program. Some of the women donate extra so others can also be a part of it. This year they had 13 scholarships. They also need more nonprofits to apply. You can find the information you need to know here on the Impact100 website.