What happens when 100 women each write a $1,000 check? You get a $100,000 grant; and in just six years, the women of Impact100 Louisville have put more than $2.5 million into nonprofits across Jefferson County.Host Rosa sits down with co-founder Carey Goldstein and current president Kim Hansford to unpack the collective giving model that's transforming Louisville philanthropy.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Welcome & the math behind Impact100: how $1,000 checks become $100,000 grants
• 0:40 - Six years in: 500+ members, five $100K grants in a single night
• 1:07 - Carey's origin story: from a dinner party idea to a Pensacola conference
• 2:10 - Finding founding board members and getting the 501(c)(3) off the ground
• 3:20 - How COVID unexpectedly accelerated growth from 75 to 206 members
• 4:42 - Charcuterie boards, house gatherings, and a grassroots approach to recruiting
• 6:32 - Kim's story: why she waited until year two (and why her best friend never let her forget it)
• 7:05 - What drew Kim in: feeling connected to where her money goes
• 7:44 - Breaking down the grant process: letters of intent, site visits, and the finance committee
• 9:27 - From 165 applications to 8 finalists; how volunteers power every step
• 10:26 - The "Meet the Finalists" event: a science-fair style evening with every finalist nonprofit
• 13:15 - Merit money: how semifinalists also benefit, and the rule on reapplying
• 13:22 - Grant spotlight: The Smoketown Community Laundromat, GE appliances, an app instead of quarters, and a man from the neighborhood
• 15:21 - Decode Project, Granny's Birth Initiative & addressing the Black maternal health crisis
• 16:36 - Synergies in action: Decode Project meets Louisville Leopards at a grantee event
• 17:35 - Louisville Lightning: Paralympic-style athletes earning scholarships
• 18:48 - How nonprofits come back to share updates, and the ripple effects on volunteerism
• 19:47 - La Casita Center: feeding 800 meals a week from a tiny kitchen, and a kitchen build-out that changed everything
• 22:10 - The network has grown: why not knowing everyone is a good sign
• 22:10 - Impact Junior: high school girls doing collective giving with $100 memberships
• 22:46 - Impact Junior gave $7,000 to KRM, and the board doubled it
• 24:07 - Three generations of Goldsteins in Impact100
• 24:12 - Who belongs in this room? Carey's message: this is not a club
• 25:35 - Efforts to diversify by zip code, age, race & ethnicity
• 27:10 - How to join: website, fellowship opportunities, and the $1,100 membership (with $1,000 going directly to grants)
• 28:08 - Kim: you can write a check and clap in November, or go all in on committees
• 28:12 - Rosa shares how she first heard about Impact100 through Hildegard House
• 29:51 - Carey: the board has no special influence; the process is equal opportunity
• 31:28 - The follow-up process: nonprofit relations committee, contracts, and six-month check-ins
• 31:50 - How to connect: impact100louisville.org | info@impact100louisville.org
• 33:05 - How nonprofits get on the letter of intent list (March is the window)
• 33:38 - Closing: follow Rosa @rosaraves and subscribe wherever you listen

Welcome to The Lou Review Podcast hosted by Rosa Hart 🎙️This podcast highlights powerful conversations around business, branding, entrepreneurship, and community stories from Louisville and beyond.We feature inspiring founders, creatives, and leaders sharing real insights, growth strategies, and behind-the-scenes journeys.🔹 Topics Covered:- Business Growth & Marketing- Branding & Creative Strategy- Entrepreneurship & Startups- Local Louisville Stories & CultureSubscribe for weekly podcast episodes and real conversations that matter.#Podcast #BusinessPodcast #Branding #Entrepreneurship #Louisville