The Jay Odom Group has donated $29,000 to sponsor 29 women from their organization as members of Impact100 Northwest Florida, making them a 2025 Business Partner.

The sponsorship came after CEO Jay Odom read Get The Coast’s article about Impact100 NWF’s mission. He brought the article to his team and asked the women if they wanted to participate.

• The answer was a resounding yes.

All 29 women from The Jay Odom Group signed up to join as members under the Business Partner sponsorship.

“We believe in building strong foundations, not just in development, but in people and communities,” said Jay Odom, founder and CEO. “When I read the Get The Coast article highlighting Impact100, I knew this was something special. Giving the women on our team the opportunity to step into direct community impact felt like the right thing to do.”

Impact100 NWF pools $1,000 donations from women to create $100,000 grants for local nonprofits. Since 2012, the organization has given $4.9 million to 46 nonprofit organizations across Okaloosa and Walton counties.

• The organization funds grants in five categories: Arts and Culture; Education; Environment, Recreation and Preservation; Family; and Health and Wellness.

Jay Odom said the enthusiasm from his female employees confirmed the decision was right. “The enthusiasm they’ve shown to be a part of giving back through the incredible work of Impact100 confirms that it was,” he said.

Many women on The Jay Odom Group team have deep roots in the area and wanted to be part of something greater than themselves, according to the company. They view joining Impact100 as a way to create a ripple effect across arts, education, family support, health and the environment.

The 29 women plan to participate through volunteering, supporting grant review processes, or contributing their time and energy to community initiatives.

Impact100 NWF operates entirely through volunteers and allows members to choose their level of involvement beyond the financial commitment. Some members only make their annual donation, while others serve on grant review committees or take board positions.

The Jay Odom Group stated that supporting Impact100 NWF aligns with their values of community investment, leadership and long-term impact. The company said the partnership represents more than a donation — it’s an opportunity to work alongside women committed to making change in the community.

• The company’s sponsorship brought Impact100 NWF’s final member count to 481 for 2025, allowing the organization to fund five $100,000 grants — one in each focus area.

“Impact100 NWF was thrilled to learn that Jay Odom stepped up to support our mission in such a big way,” said Joni Wallace, Impact100 NWF board president. “Mr. Odom’s generous support brought 29 members to our final member number of 481 this year which allows us to give five $100,000 grants to nonprofits in our community.”

Wallace said the timing of the donation was particularly meaningful. “On a very personal note, I was becoming discouraged about where our member numbers were around the time I learned that Jay made the decision to step up,” she said. “My immediate reaction was to burst out into happy tears and I was instantly invigorated to continue the work of our membership enrollment season.”

Wallace said Odom’s support demonstrates understanding of their mission and could inspire other business leaders to follow suit. “It means a great deal to us to know that Mr. Odom not only understands and supports our mission but even more so that he is paving the way for other business leaders to do the same in the coming years,” she said.

The Business Partner sponsorship allows companies to fund memberships for employees or support events. Impact100 NWF welcomes business sponsors and encourages interested companies to reach out.

• “The Jay Odom Group believes in leading with heart, investing in people, and staying rooted in the communities they serve,” the company stated. “Supporting Impact100 NWF is a powerful way to live out that mission.”

The company said they look forward to joining forces with Impact100 members and the organizations served to make the region stronger.

Businesses interested in sponsoring Impact100 NWF memberships can contact impactnwf@impactnwf.org.