Grand Impact
GRAND IMPACT EVENT
Monday, May 12th, 2025
The Grand Impact
The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids and 50 leading businesses are making a difference for one area nonprofit with a donation of $100,000 toward their visionary project.
Are you a business interested in supporting The Grand Impact?
Please contact CRDowntownRotary@gmail.com.
2025’s Grand Impact event will be held on Monday, May 12th at 11:30 a.m. at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Downtown Cedar Rapids. The public and media are welcome, with a plated lunch available for purchase.
Information for Nonprofits
Our next Grand Impact application will open in the winter of 2025.
About
The Grand Impact exists as a vehicle to support nonprofits doing transformative work in the Cedar Rapids metro. Each year, human services nonprofits are invited to share their signature project or initiative, with three finalists selected to “pitch” at the Grand Impact luncheon, held in the spring.
The luncheon brings together representatives from 50 leading businesses, all of which have pledged a $2,000 donation to the winning project. These businesses all vote for the best pitch, resulting in a $100,000 donation for the winning nonprofit.
Learn more and find updates at the Grand Impact Facebook page: facebook.com/TheGrandImpact.
Past Winners
2022: Matthew 25
Matthew 25 used the inaugural $100,000 grant to finish their Cultivate Hope Corner Store located on Ellis Boulevard, eliminating a food desert. This local, nonprofit grocery store is an avenue to bring healthy, nutritious, and affordable food to the Time Check neighborhood. It is filled with fresh produce, grocery staples, affordable and healthy prepared meals, and even a selection of free produce to supplement the shopper on a budget.
Matthew 25 used the inaugural $100,000 grant to finish their Cultivate Hope Corner Store located on Ellis Boulevard, eliminating a food desert. This local, nonprofit grocery store is an avenue to bring healthy, nutritious, and affordable food to the Time Check neighborhood. It is filled with fresh produce, grocery staples, affordable and healthy prepared meals, and even a selection of free produce to supplement the shopper on a budget.
2023: Together We Achieve
The second year, and first year Downtown Rotary was given the opportunity to coordinate the event, Together We Achieve won the winning award for its low-barrier food pantry in southwest Cedar Rapids. The organization serves hot meals two evenings each week, and serves more than 300 meals each night. With the Grand Impact donation, they were able to purchase walk-in coolers and add dry storage space; they can also provide more staples, such as meat and produce, to at-risk populations in the metro.
The second year, and first year Downtown Rotary was given the opportunity to coordinate the event, Together We Achieve won the winning award for its low-barrier food pantry in southwest Cedar Rapids. The organization serves hot meals two evenings each week, and serves more than 300 meals each night. With the Grand Impact donation, they were able to purchase walk-in coolers and add dry storage space; they can also provide more staples, such as meat and produce, to at-risk populations in the metro.
2024: Kingdom Community Center
Kingdom Community Center provides mentoring and support services to at-risk youth in the Wellington Heights and Mound View neighborhoods. With this year’s winning grant, they will be able to purchase a passenger van to provide safe transportation to the middle and high school students they serve, keeping them safe and ensuring they get home.
Stories & Impact
CBJ: Together We Achieve Awarded $100,000 in Grand Impact Event
Iowa’s News Now: Kingdom Community Center to Get $100k After Rotary Club’s Grand Impact Event
The Gazette: Award Buys Van to Improve Youth Transportation Access
History
The Grand Impact concept was created in 2021 by five local business leaders: Lura McBride, of Van Meter; James Klien, of Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust; Beth Malicki, of KCRG-TV9; Jason Smith, of TrueNorth Companies; and David Sorg, of OPN Architects. The goal was to help one nonprofit fully serve an “emerging need” in the community.
After the inaugural event, the five founders and The Rotary Club of Downtown Cedar Rapids worked together to allow the Downtown Rotary Club the opportunity to produce the event. Club members now organize the annual luncheon, held during the club’s weekly Monday noon meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids.
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