Money Talks
Women donors join forces to make big impacts
By Jessica Laskey
September 2025
Here’s what happens when 100 or more women each donate $1,000 and pool the money.
They define “power in numbers.” And they make a difference with transformational grants.
The dollars, gathered by a group called Impact100 Greater Sacramento, support nonprofits in five focus areas: arts and culture, environment, health and wellness, education, and family.
“One thousand dollars helps, but when we collectively pool our resources together, we’re able to do even greater things,” chapter President Sarina Paulson says. “It’s really good to know as a member that yes, I donated $1,000, but 391 other women also donated $1,000, so collectively my $1,000 has morphed into $452,000 (with a matching campaign). I went to six site visits this year and I can tell you firsthand the good that is going to do.”
Impact100 has more than 75 chapters around the world. Evelyn Jensen and a dozen other women, including Paulson, founded the local chapter.
“I love that it’s an all-women facilitated and member-based organization,” Paulson says. When Jensen retires in October as CEO, Paulson will take the role.
Paulson was recruited due to her business experience and operational background. In her previous career, she oversaw 949 JCPenney hair salons as director of operations. Since coming back to Sacramento from Frisco, Texas, in 2014, she ran three Willo Aveda salons in Sacramento, Carmichael and Roseville.
“Willo just kind of just happened,” Paulson says. “I had babies and was traveling a lot and wanted to be more present and didn’t want to miss out. I was trying to figure out what to do to use my business acumen and feed that side of me that I love but also be a mom.
“I started looking online for Sacramento businesses and three salons popped up for sale. They provide me the opportunity to do the things I love to do—drive a business, work with people and fully immerse myself in the community—but also have that balance to not miss Valentine’s Day parties at preschool.”
As president of Impact100, Paulson built the evaluation process and spent time “figuring out what infrastructure we need to put in place to continue to scale the organization.”
She and the membership team are working on an app where members can see events and updates and renew or join more easily.
People are noticing. As one of Impact100’s fastest-growing chapters, Paulson and her team will present at the group’s global conference in October, describing their accomplishments.
Paulson wants to increase membership to keep up with demand. She says 186 nonprofits applied for a grant this year, up 30% from last year. She anticipates more next year.
“Any woman with a philanthropic heart” can join, she says, even those who can’t afford the $1,000 annual donation. The chapter instituted a scholarship program for women who have financial constraints but want to participate.
“The needs of our neighbors and community have been growing pretty exponentially since the pandemic,” Paulson says. “We want to ensure we’re continuing to work as hard as we can to drive our membership so we can do more good.”
For information, visit impact100greatersacramento.org.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
