Wendy H. Steele

Wendy H. Steele, founder of Impact100 and giving circle innovator

Meet Wendy H. Steele

A dedicated philanthropist, passionate entrepreneur, and inspiring speaker, Wendy H. Steele is the author of Invitation to Impact and the founder of Impact100, a nonprofit that streamlined the giving circle model to transform communities worldwide.

A Lifetime of Giving

From a young age, Wendy’s family instilled in her the value of giving back with the intention of leaving the world a little better than she found it. Wendy believes strongly in the power of generosity, and her creation of Impact100 brought a powerful model to the giving circle movement that has since given away more than $140 million to worthy causes throughout the world. 

Since the founding of Impact100 in 2001, Wendy has worked tirelessly to share her philanthropy expertise through speaking engagements, volunteer work, and her forthcoming book Invitation to Impact. Recognized by Forbes in 2021 as one of 50 women over 50 who are leading the world in impact, Wendy is a truly inspirational philanthropist and a role model for women everywhere.

Awards & Recognitions

See Wendy’s latest distinctions and achievements

2024 Silver Anthem Award for Humanitarian Action & Services – Best Community Engagement Awarded to Impact100 Global

THE ANTHEM AWARDS celebrate purpose & mission-driven work from people, companies and organizations worldwide. Selected from a group of more than 2,000 applicants in 44 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. (IADAS) This celebrates the best-in-class efforts, online or off, to provide people with opportunities to engage their local communities on behalf of an important cause.

2024 USA TODAY Woman of the Year Honoree

This honors 60 women across the country using their voices and determination to push for change and equality, and even joy. They are leaders and entrepreneurs, activists and trailblazers in our communities. They are women who make a difference every day – in every state. They inspire us, influence us, and make us laugh. They are our neighbors and role models. They use their voices for others, many overcoming immense challenges, to make change happen. Simply put, they make us want to do better.

2024 Silver Anthem Award for Humanitarian Action & Services – Best Community Engagement Awarded to Impact100 Global

THE ANTHEM AWARDS celebrate purpose & mission-driven work from people, companies and organizations worldwide. Selected from a group of more than 2,000 applicants in 44 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. (IADAS) This celebrates the best-in-class efforts, online or off, to provide people with opportunities to engage their local communities on behalf of an important cause.

2024 USA TODAY Woman of the Year Honoree

This honors 60 women across the country using their voices and determination to push for change and equality, and even joy. They are leaders and entrepreneurs, activists and trailblazers in our communities. They are women who make a difference every day – in every state. They inspire us, influence us, and make us laugh. They are our neighbors and role models. They use their voices for others, many overcoming immense challenges, to make change happen. Simply put, they make us want to do better.

2024 Silver Anthem Award for Humanitarian Action & Services – Best Community Engagement Awarded to Impact100 Global

THE ANTHEM AWARDS celebrate purpose & mission-driven work from people, companies and organizations worldwide. Selected from a group of more than 2,000 applicants in 44 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. (IADAS) This celebrates the best-in-class efforts, online or off, to provide people with opportunities to engage their local communities on behalf of an important cause.
SPEAKING

Your Next
Event Speaker

As a speaker, Wendy H. Steele is dynamic, relatable, and ready to inspire action among every member of your audience. Whether you need a keynote address or an inspirational speech, Wendy will transform your event into an unforgettable experience that will energize your organization.

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Harnessing the Power of Generosity - Wendy Steele - TEDxCherry Creek Women
Impact100 logo

Wendy H. Steele founded Impact100 in 2001 to encourage and expand women’s roles in the field of philanthropy. Since then, the organization’s powerful giving circle model has sparked a movement of collective community transformation, with more than 75 chapters in four countries.

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Since 2001, Impact100 chapters have collectively funded nearly $160 million in grants to local nonprofits delivering transformational change.

members of Impact100, an innovative giving circle style nonprofit