Giving circle grants $230,000 to WA charities

Collective giving circle Impact100 WA has injected $230,000 worth of shared donations into the state’s not-for-profit sector this month.

The 200 state members of Impact100, as well as patron Nicola Forrest, gathered last week to vote on how the funds would be distributed throughout the community.

Huntington’s WA and Sensorium Theatre received $100,000 each, while Barking Gecko Theatre Company, Birdlife WA and Teach Learn Grow received $10,000 apiece.

Huntington’s WA’s grant will go towards development of an online app that will provide physical and cognitive exercises to improve conditions for those suffering from or experiencing the onset of the disease.

Sensorium Theatre, an organisation that specialises in delivering live performances for young audiences with a disability, will use its $100,000 to kick-start a Sensory Storytime program, with funds to go towards the sustainability of the project via the employment of a program coordinator and full-time artists.

Impact100 has modelled its structure on the US version, with funds raised via each member donating at least $1,000, which are pooled to deliver high-impact contributions.

Projects are evaluated for value and long-term sustainability, with the underlying principle that a greater impact can be made when funds are combined compared with standalone donations.

Since it was founded in 2012, Impact100 WA has assisted 18 local NFPs with more than $1million in grants and has expanded to five additional Impact100 hubs in Fremantle (backed by the Fremantle Foundation), Melbourne, South Australia, Sydney and North Sydney.

It has also developed YoungImpact 100, a giving circle for children aged six to 18.

100Women is another philanthropic circle currently operating in the state, with Meridian Global Foundation and the Funding Network other variations on the collective giving concept.