Grand Impact fundraising endeavor to give $100,000 to Cedar Rapids-area nonprofit to address emerging need

CEDAR RAPIDS — Nonprofits now may apply for $100,000 through a new fundraising endeavor called the Grand Impact. Fifty businesses in the greater Cedar Rapids region have each donated $2,000 to help a public charity tackle a new challenge. Any human services 501(c)(3) organization that serves the target area can apply. Applications are being taken through April 11.

A panel of independent judges will narrow the applicants down to three. Then on May 11, the 50 businesses will gather at Theatre Cedar Rapids to hear the three final charities pitch their unique approach to solve a problem that has recently evolved. The business representatives will vote and the winning nonprofit will walk away with $100,000.

Grand Impact is a new effort created by a group of volunteers. The steering committee recognizes that the hardships faced over the past couple of years are likely concentrated for nonprofits working with those who are most vulnerable. They know the needs better than any other entity and Grand Impact want to elevate their experiences and help chip away at the problem with a large infusion of cash. The aim is to address an emerging need, which includes ongoing challenges that have accelerated recently or new problems that might not be apparent to the community at large.

Because Grand Impact is powered by an all-volunteer force, there is no overhead. All $100,000 will go directly to the charity to make a Grand Impact in the Cedar Rapids region.

The application is available here: https://na4.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhDelrRteu2OMyErw8tzVW5bm8aIGDEYwhLVC6aacrxBrUWMxKFv8hawYyn_3wV0DdA*

The application is also available at the Grand Impact Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandImpact