A Venice, California non-profit continues their grant giving to local underserved communities during the pandemic. The Impact Circle is committed to continuing to aid past non-profit grantees until it’s safe to add new non-profit organizations to its slate.
Venice resident and founder Jenisa Washington, a mother of three, created the Impact Circle in 2018 with the intention of bringing together mothers with resources and means who want to create social change and make a difference.
“During this time, the Impact Circle really provides an avenue for people who really want to be of service and impact those communities, and extraordinary nonprofits,” explained Washington. It’s timely that people of all different cultural backgrounds are coming together, she added.
The Impact Circle, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, collects donations through its members’ annual tax-deductible financial contribution, and re-distributes these funds, pledging 70% of each member’s donation with 10% going toward mentorship and 60% going to monetary grants. Members have the ability to track their donation.
“The group is really fantastic in that our mission is not just to give grants but to give information based on our expertise and skill sets,” said Washington.
The organizations helped by the Impact Circle have all centered on low income and underserved communities. A majority of its members live on the Westside, including Venice, the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Santa Monica.
This past autumn, Impact Circle worked with The Birthing People Foundation, and over the winter is working with First Place for Youth. Next up, is the Compton Kidz Club and in the spring, Women’s Voices Now.
In Venice, they don’t have to go far, Washington explains, due to the mix of wealth and poverty. She says, “We see in this community there are so many different levels to help, such as working on eradicating homeless and feeding youth.”
One example is local Impact Circle member Celeste Baker, CEO and founder of Bread Head, a nonprofit organization providing meals to the homeless and Venice youth.
Impact Circle gave its first monetary grant to help the Academy Project, created by Lauren Costa — who serves as the Academy Project’s executive director. It’s a much needed after school enhancement program in South LA for foster care 5th graders.
To date, the Impact Circle has awarded 12 monetary grants to vetted nonprofits.
For more information go to https://www.impactcirclefoundation.org/jenisa-washington. Originally published in Venice Living Magazine.
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