Big impact Nevada Women's Philanthropy Made up of: Local women interested in making a huge, targeted impact. How they do it: Members pool their $5,000 annual membership dues into one ginormous grant. Each member gets one vote to decide who the grant recipient will be. This year's winner, the Salvation Army, bagged a cool $300,000 to remodel its intake facility and overnight shelter for homeless clients. The runner-up, Community Counseling Center of Southern Nevada, got the non-restricted $30,000 Founders' Grant. Since its founding in 2006, NWP has granted $1.9 million to valley charities. What they need: The new cycle for memberships and grant applications started Nov. 1. Anybody with five Gs burning a hole in her pocket is welcome to join, and organizers say it's a great way to get closer to those who make a difference in the community. On the flip side, nonprofit reps are invited to an informational session this month, where they can learn whether their cause has the chops to compete for the 2012 grant. In their words: "We're a diverse, dynamic group of women of all ages. We have a very simple process for making large-scale, large-impact grants. We're efficient, all volunteer-based, and it's immensely satisfying. ... Most of our grants have had an impact on children and education, which rely on quickly evaporating government funding." - Dana Lee, founding member and former president. Get involved:www.nvwomensphilanthropy.org. - Heidi Kyser
Help with the little things New Vista Gives a new lease on life to: Intellectually challenged people of all ages. How they do it: Each client gets a case manager who helps them with the life skills they need. Support levels are tailored to clients' needs, from a hand with bill-paying and grocery shopping, to a home to live in. Each year, New Vista takes a group of clients on vacation, giving them a chance to experience travel and giving their caretakers a much-needed break. What they need: Volunteers. The organization holds eight wine walks a year to raise funds, and each one requires 50 people. Funding is critical, since New Vista is in hyper-growth mode. In 2004 it had 32 clients and 5 homes; now it has more than 450 clients and 17 homes. Plans are under way to build a new facility on 15 acres it owns in North Las Vegas. And that's not all: "We also need holiday gifts and sponsors for our annual Christmas Party. & We host dinner, Santa and gifts to about 150 to 200 of the individuals we support that otherwise would not have anything to look forward to at this time." - Michelle Jackson, director of development. Get involved:www.newvistacommunity.org, 457-4677. - H.K.