On Nov. 14, the JCFR Dignity Grows initiative was awarded $100,000 by Impact 100, Richmond.
In making the announcement, Impact 100 noted, “Congratulations to our 2023 grant recipient, Dignity Grows. This important initiative to address period poverty has encountered an exponentially increasing need throughout the Richmond area. The $100,000 investment from Impact 100 will allow Dignity Grows to add additional distribution sites and double its current impact in our community. We are proud to support this organization in their work to provide women and girls with essential supplies to live their happiest and healthiest lives.”
Dignity Grows, launched in December 2022 by JCFR locally, was one of the five finalists considered for the $100,000 award. The initiative is co-chaired by Ellen Renee Adams and Shields Jackson with Federation professional team leadership from Jill Grossman, Director of Women’s Philanthropy and Affinities. A number of other volunteers are active participants in the many packing parties and organizing the numerous boxes of supplies.
In the two weeks before Nov. 14, a Federation team – President Amy Nisenson, JCFR Women’s Philanthropy Chair Jill Goldfine, Adams and Jackson – networked in advance with Grossman who would give the ‘final pitch.’
Final Presentation
Before a full room of Impact 100 members at the Steward School for the final presentation, Grossman shared several stories. Here is one.
“I am working at my desk. It has been only 2 months since we launched Dignity Grows when I received a frantic call from the school nurse at RC Longan Elementary School. Desperate, she reached out to me in immediate need of hygiene products for 135 fifth-grade students. This was not a call I was expecting to receive! I was able to provide them with 15 bags, which we had on reserve.”
Grossman explained, “After reviewing our budget and pulling together volunteers, within 5 days we delivered 85 bags. As a result of our acting quickly, attendance improved drastically, and teachers commented that children are coming to school ‘clean and confident.’
“These children needed us, and we delivered! This is one of the stories that brought me here today. It was less than 2 years ago that I learned about Period Poverty, an issue I never knew existed.”
She added, “This public health crisis infiltrates lives, and its ripple effects are wide. What is particularly striking is that income is not a significant predictor of Period Poverty suggesting a problem far more complex than the typical narrative of “poverty” in America.
“In response to this crisis, our program has distributed over 3,000 tote bags – discreetly, with dignity, giving girls and women the comfort of knowing their hygiene needs will be met. This direct support is crucial to the health of our community.”
The current distribution partners include the YMCA at Shady Grove, Safe Harbor, KBI Food Cooperative, RC Longan Elementary, Jewish Family Services, and Bon Secours’ Violence Intervention Team.
More on Impact 100
Impact 100 is a volunteer-driven women’s philanthropy group that makes a significant difference in our community through collective giving.
Impact 100 funds at least one $100,000 transformational grant each year to a local nonprofit that has a big idea and great potential but may not have access to large-scale funds.
Since inception in 2009 locally, Impact 100 has awarded significant grants to over 25 local nonprofits. In 2022, they crossed the $2 million mark, a milestone that they are very proud of!
