And the results are in...2026 Grant Recipients

Congratulations to the 2026 Grant Recipients!

Over 200 members and their guests walked the red carpet as they entered Impact's 7th Annual Meeting. Women enjoyed seeing their friends and talking to the Grant Nonprofit Finalists. Attendees enjoyed delicious appetizers and beverages before the meeting. The excitement grew as grant finalists made their presentations and the members voted electronically again this year.

Two IMPACT Grant recipients each received $120,000 and One IGNITE Grant recipient received $80,000 and One INSPIRE Grant recipient received of $30,000. Four Runner-ups all received $10,000. The four semi-finalists received $1,000 each for a total of $394,000 given away this grant cycle.

Program Soothe

Foster Village Peoria is preparing to fully launch a new program called program Soothe. Program soothe will fill a huge gap in services and support for children affected by foster care in the tri-county area, by providing therapeutic and sensory support to help with regulation of emotions and behaviors. Due to limited providers that accept the state insurance that children affected by foster care use, the waitlists are unbelievably long. Over 80% of children affected by foster care have mental health diagnoses, and 70% also have sensory or therapeutic needs. This program will provide skills, knowledge, and therapeutic tools to help families affected by foster care that are in desperate need of services. The program consists of providing education and also tangible therapeutic tools for families in the tri-county area.

New Gym Flooring

The Christian Center finally has a gym! After 75 years of collaborating with Peoria Public Schools, Peoria Park District, and others, we finally have a gym to call our own! Now, we can serve 2,500+ area children and families even more effectively! Right next door to The Christian Center Headquarters is the Family Life Center, which we recently purchased from First Assembly of God Church. It features a regulation-size gymnasium as well as concession areas and meeting rooms. We envision being able to host youth basketball, pickle ball for seniors, exercise classes, ping pong, sports clinics, and more. The gymnasium and gym floor needs renovation to be used for these things. Therefore, we are asking Impact Central Illinois to help fund the new gym flooring with a grant of $80,000

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) has the potential to dramatically impact the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities (I/DD) by removing barriers to communication, learning, independence, and participation in daily life. AT is important because it promotes equity, autonomy, and inclusion. Without access to appropriate technologies, adults with I/DD are at greater risk of social isolation, dependence on caregivers, and limited access to employment and community resources. AT empowers individuals to make choices, express preferences, complete daily tasks, and participate more fully in community life. This proposal will make a meaningful
difference by providing adults with I/DD with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive. Participants will gain greater independence, improved communication with family and support staff, increased access to education and employment opportunities, and greater self-confidence. By embedding AT into everyday routines, this project creates sustainable, long-term improvements that extend far beyond the grant period.

Caregiver Learning & Support Hub

Age Central will launch a Tri-County Caregiver Learning & Support Hub to expand 24/7 education, practical guidance, and social support for unpaid family caregivers in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties, especially those supporting older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Many caregivers cannot attend daytime classes, memory cafés, or support groups because of caregiving demands. Through the Trualta platform, combined with local enrollment support and partner referral pathways, caregivers will access evidence-informed training, virtual peer connection, and practical problem-solving support that reduces isolation. Over 24 months, Age Central will enroll up to 250 caregivers, strengthen referral pathways through health and community partners, and track engagement and caregiver-reported outcomes related to confidence, burden, and connection to services