I Am More Scarsdale to Host Charitable Event with Impact 100 on November 7

I Am More ScarsdaleMarcy Berman-Goldstein and Abbey Solomon of I Am More Scarsdale will host Impact100, a collective giving organization in Westchester County engaging women in philanthropy on Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 from 10:30 am to 6 pm.

Community members are invited to attend this Shop, Support & Learn event to learn how Impact100 Westchester engages women in philanthropy and funds transformational grants for nonprofits serving Westchester County. I Am More Scarsdale will offer customers 10% off their entire purchase and will donate 10% of all in-store and online sales to Impact100 Westchester.

I Am More Scarsdale is a unique women’s retail concept in the heart of Scarsdale Village, whose mission is to empower women to make them feel confident, support up and coming and established women-owned businesses and designers, and to give back to local and women’s philanthropic organizations. They recently celebrated their one-year anniversary on October 18th and their charitable events have provided over $10,000 in cash and $50,000 in merchandise to more than 25 charitable organizations. Store owners Marcy Berman-Goldstein and Abbey Solomon were recently named as Westchester’s most powerful women in The Business Journal of Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

I Am More launched its first product line, Strong + Beautiful, in collaboration with Safe Horizon in New York City, the nation’s leading victim assistance organization, whose mission is to provide support, prevent violence and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities. Strong + Beautiful was created to remind all women of their internal strength and beauty, no matter their current state of mind or well-being. Kira Kazantsev, Miss America 2015, is the Strong + Beautiful brand Ambassador. Strong + Beautiful products include a reed diffuser and candle, notepads and leatherette pouches, as well as T-shirts, Muscle Tee’s and Sweatshirts. 20% of all proceeds benefit Safe Horizon. Strong + Beautiful products are available for purchase in-store and online at www.iammorescarsdale.com.

“We have seen a groundswell of interest in recent Village Center events and are grateful for the leadership provided by our local merchants. In this changing economic landscape, consumers have many choices; and they will patronize establishments that reflect their sensibility and values. I Am More remains true to its mission, to serve the entirety of its customers. With Shop & Support, all the Village benefits. We’ll see increased foot traffic, and the community can take great pride in helping the greater good,” said Jane Veron, Scarsdale Village Trustee and liaison to Scarsdale Business Alliance.

Over the past five years, Impact100 Westchester has engaged women in philanthropy through collective giving. By pooling resources, they have awarded over $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving Westchester’s most vulnerable populations.

Each year they provide Transformational Grants that are used for a specific project or program and Core Mission Grants that are unrestricted funds to be used to advance the core mission of the nonprofit.

In some cases, Impact100 grants catalyze further support for their beneficiaries. For example, Pace University chose to expand its support for the Pace Women’s Justice Center after Impact100 helped fund construction for their new walk-in legal clinic, allowing them to serve almost 500 more people each year. “The Impact100 grant started the ball rolling and we are growing and expanding our services,” says the Women’s Justice Center’s Executive Director, Cindy Kanusher. “We are so grateful.”

Scarsdale resident Sharon Salomy Douglas founded Impact100 Westchester in 2013 after witnessing the Philadelphia chapter in action. There are over 50 chapters worldwide. In their first year they had 132 members and that has grown to 332 women last year. They are currently in their membership drive for the 2019 grant cycle. Grant money comes entirely from membership dues—$1,000 per year for the grant fund, plus $100 to cover administrative costs—so a larger membership means greater opportunity to make a difference.

Some members simply send their membership dues and attend the annual meeting, but many take active, year-round roles in the organization’s various committees and outreach efforts. Last year, over half the membership participated in the rigorous grant-application review process. Selected finalists present their projects to the entire membership at the annual meeting in spring, at which time every member will vote to determine the winners. To date, Impact100 Westchester has awarded grants to 30 local organizations aimed at tackling a variety of issues, including children’s mental health, education access, and support for survivors of abuse.

“This model is quickly becoming an influential and effective way for women to participate in philanthropy while networking and building friendships. Our community of Westchester County has areas of extreme wealth, yet, 10% of the residents live in poverty. When we pool our funds, we can achieve transformational results and change lives. We are grateful to I Am More for hosting this Shop, Support & Learn event on behalf of Impact100,” says Susan Bloom, Co-President of Impact100 Westchester.

Joining Impact100 gives women an opportunity to learn about the needs of their neighbors and allows them to respond with much needed assistance. The Westchester chapter continues to expand, and they are currently looking for new members to help them grow. If you are interested or would like more information, please email us at info@impact100westchester.org or visit the website at www.Impact100Westchester.org.

2018 was an exciting year as they celebrated their 5th anniversary and awarded additional core mission grants as well as 3 transformational grants.

Transformational Project Grants - $90,000 each:

The Guidance Center of Westchester: Culinary Arts/Vocational Program
Westchester Parks Foundation: Camp Morty Pavilion
Youth Shelter Program of Westchester: Miller Place Project

Core Mission Grants - $12,333 each:
Gilda's Club Westchester: Teen Cancer Center
Westchester Exceptional Children's School: Gymnasium Renovation/Adaptive Physical Education Program

Core Mission Grants - $5,000 each:
Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle
Community Resource Center
Hillside Food Outreach
Hope Community Services
Women's Enterprise Development Center