On September 25, 2025, the Inspiration 100™ Association celebrated a decade of impact and the power of community giving at its 10th Annual Member Meeting and 9th Annual Grants Award Ceremony, held at The Windsor Club. In front of members, guests, and local media, the Association proudly announced a $125,000 investment in ten local charities serving Windsor-Essex.
Each year, Inspiration 100™ members nominate, review, and vote to determine the charities that will receive funding through the Inspiration 100™ Endowment Fund, held at the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF). This democratic, member-led process continues to build a legacy of generosity and long-term support for causes that matter in our region.
“Inspiration 100™ is a remarkable example of what can happen when like-minded individuals come together to create lasting change,” said Lisa Kolody, Executive Director of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation. “We are proud to steward this fund and help turn their collective vision into meaningful, ongoing investment in our community.”
This year’s community grants were awarded to the following organizations:
Windsor Life Centre Ministries – $10,000
Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation – $10,000
Transition to Betterness – $10,000
The Bridge Youth Resource Centre – $10,000
Safe Families Windsor-Essex Chapter – $10,000
Riverside Minor Baseball Club – Miracle Park – $10,000
Italian Canadian Handicapable Association – $10,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters Windsor-Essex – $15,000
A.L.S Society of (Windsor) Essex – $15,000
Windsor Residence for Young Men – $25,000
This year marks a major milestone for the Association. With this latest round of giving, Inspiration 100™ has now invested $606,000 in grants to 50 charities over the past nine years. The Inspiration 100™ Endowment Fund has also surpassed $2.5 million, ensuring continued growth in both capacity and community reach.
“Inspiration 100™ began with a bold idea: to build a sustainable source of funding that would uplift Windsor-Essex for generations to come,” said Rae-Anne Copat, Chair of the Inspiration 100™ Executive Committee. “We’re honoured to mark our tenth year with the largest single-year investment yet—and we’re just getting started.”
The evening featured a heartfelt address from Marty D. Solcz, founder of the Inspiration 100™ initiative, who reflected on the vision that sparked this decade-long journey of impact. Guests also heard from past grant recipients, including the Ontario Student Nutrition Program and the Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County, who shared how these grants are transforming lives and making an impact throughout our community.
About Inspiration 100™
Inspiration 100™ is a group of 100 local philanthropists dedicated to building a permanent legacy of giving in Windsor-Essex. Through an endowment fund managed by the WindsorEssex Community Foundation, members nominate and vote annually on charities that receive support. The result is sustainable, long-term investment in causes that matter. LEARN MORE
