CASE STUDIES · Innovative giving models

Impact London Collective

Women donating £1,000 each have raised £900,000 and counting

An innovative female collective model of giving that is changing the lives of women and girls across London.

Fund type

Collective Fund

Amount raised/granted

£900,000

Years

2019–2024

Background

Founded in 2019 by Erica Wax and Lani Martin, Impact London Collective was inspired by a vision: to harness the power of collective giving to support marginalised women and girls across the capital.

Adopting the successful Impact 100 model from the US, the collective brings together a minimum of 100 individuals, each donating £1,000. Through a rigorous selection process and an annual vote, each year they award a substantial grant of £100,000 - £150,000 to a local charity, alongside smaller merit grants to other finalists. Their grants are muti-year, an incredibly important funding model providing stability to small charities year on year.

As a 100% volunteer-run initiative, with every donation going directly to grant recipients, it’s a model that combines integrity, transparency, and trust.

Problem

Too often, small charities working with women and girls are underfunded and overlooked, despite addressing some of society’s most complex challenges. Impact 100 London changes that by offering not just funding, but visibility, mentorship and community.

Over 6 years, Prism supported the Collective Fund’s operations, giving members the space to focus on the impact while Prism oversees governance, compliance and charitable distribution.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

–– Margaret Mead. Cultural anthropologist and author

Impact

In just five years, over 340 members have come together to award £900,000 in grants to 18 local charities – funding everything from self-defence workshops to leadership bootcamps, mental health support and housing services.

Each grant awarded plays a crucial role – encouraging growth, building confidence and lasting change. Finalist charities benefit from exposure, mentorship and connections that last long beyond the vote. This is an organisation not just giving money, but inspiring a movement of thoughtful, active philanthropists. Since inception they have facilitated 1,600 hours of pro bono hours to grantees by members and partners.

In 2023, Sister System, a charity supporting care-affected girls was awarded a £130k spread over three years. Although they are only halfway through this partnership, substantial impact has already been achieved, both for Sister System and Impact 100 London members.

In 2025, they became an independent charity and are currently supporting women in Oxford to establish an Impact Collective.

“It’s brilliant. Multi-year unrestricted funding is the dream for any charity! This allowed us to plan the future effectively and focus on what truly matters: our strategic goals.”

–– Frances Humber. Director of Fundraising at Sister System

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