Big Impact in the Collective Heart of NYC

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Emily Ades. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Emily Ades, the volunteer co-founder and co-president of Impact 100 NYC, a women-led giving circle, has dedicated herself to pooling resources and awarding transformative, high-impact grants across New York City. Since its launch in 2020, Emily’s commitment has seen the organization soar to over 400 members, collectively awarding a remarkable $1.5 million to underfunded nonprofits. This crucial funding has impacted the lives of countless individuals by addressing critical community needs, from food insecurity and youth development to social justice and environmental sustainability.

Emily’s vision is about much more than grantmaking. It is, most fundamentally, about building inclusive community engagement and amplifying women’s voices in philanthropy. She dedicates approximately 40–50 hours per month as a founding leader and active volunteer, focusing on strengthening community ties and mentoring. Her dedication ensures that Impact 100 NYC’s grantees receive not only vital funding but also long-term support and essential visibility. This commitment to fostering community is rooted in her 25 years of experience in education, child advocacy and nonprofit leadership, which she also applies as the director of the Kinnect Foundation.

One of Emily’s most inspiring initiatives is her focus on the next generation of changemakers. Recognizing the power of early inspiration, she launched a teen chapter of Impact 100 NYC. This program has successfully mobilized and impacted hundreds of students, inspiring them to actively participate in community service and philanthropy. By creating a platform for young people to engage with and contribute to their communities, she is mentoring the future leaders who will continue the cycle of civic engagement and service.

Through her organization, Emily has cultivated a collective heart for the city, proving that when women unite, their impact is nothing short of extraordinary. Read on to hear more of her story, in her own words.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

I’m the founding co-president of Impact 100 NYC, a women’s collective giving group that combines individual donations to make significant grants to local nonprofits. We launched in March 2020, literally days before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. None of us could’ve predicted what was coming, but in a strange way, the timing was right. People were isolated and looking for purpose, and our city’s nonprofits needed help more than ever. Impact 100 NYC became a way to connect and do something meaningful together. What started as a handful of women has turned into this incredible community of hundreds across the city. I also mentor our nextgen group, which brings teens into the world of giving and community service. I love watching them discover that they can make a difference right now, not “someday.”

Why is this issue so important to you?

I’ve always believed that everyone deserves a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves and that philanthropy shouldn’t just belong to the wealthy. Collective giving opens that door. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when women and teens come together to support local organizations. One of my favorite moments was watching our nextgen teens present their grant recommendations to the adult members. They were nervous but so passionate. It reminded me that this work isn’t just about funding; it’s about fostering confidence in teens, building community leaders and supporting the nonprofits that are tackling the real challenges on the ground.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

A few years ago, my friend and volunteer co-president, Mindy Wigutow, invited me to attend an Impact 100 event in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and it completely lit me up. The idea that 100 women could come together, each giving $1,000, and make a $100,000 grant was so simple but so powerful. A few conversations later, a small group of us were brainstorming over coffee, and Impact 100 NYC was born. We didn’t know exactly how it would work, but we knew it mattered, and that belief carried us through those early growing pains.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

I’d love to see Impact 100 NYC continue to grow with more members, more grants and deeper relationships with the nonprofits we support. I’m also really focused on building out our nextgen program so that it becomes a true pipeline for young leaders. When one of our nextgen members told me she changed her college major after working on a grant review because she “wanted to help people for a living,” it hit me that this program isn’t just teaching philanthropy… it’s shaping futures.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

Hands down, it’s the ripple effect. Each May, we announce the $100,000 grants to the nonprofits. Sometimes there is stunned silence, sometimes tears and always celebration. You can feel what it means to them. The funding makes a transformational project they’d only dreamed about finally possible. But what really fills me with pride is what happens next. Our volunteer corps steps up to help build furniture, paint murals, serve Thanksgiving meals and offer pro bono legal and financial services throughout the year. It’s not just about the money, but also about the community showing up, together, to make something extraordinary happen. Watching people find connection through giving has been the biggest reward.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

I’ve learned that volunteering is really about listening and showing up. When we visit our grantee organizations and see their work up close, it’s impossible not to be humbled. One founder told me, “You didn’t just fund us, you believed in us.” That’s when I realized that support, when it’s given with heart, goes way beyond money. I’ve also learned that the best ideas often come from the collective. When you bring people together with different backgrounds and experiences, the results are always stronger.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

Volunteering changes not just how you see the world, but how you see yourself. When you get involved, you stop being a bystander and start being part of the solution. One of the things I love about Impact 100 NYC is that our giving is interactive, not just transactional. I’ve seen members join saying, “I don’t have much to offer,” and a few months later they’re leading committees, mentoring others and making a real difference. Even small actions can have a huge impact.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Start where you are. You don’t need a plan. Just follow what moves you. Say yes to the next opportunity, even if you’re not sure what to expect. Some of my favorite moments came from simply raising my hand and showing up. Volunteering doesn’t have to be huge or complicated; it just has to be heartfelt. The rest unfolds naturally once you get started.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Emily? Find local volunteer opportunities.