Corinne Kemp, Co-Chair of IMPACT100 Sydney, has been honoured with the Committee for Sydney’s ‘Unsung Hero Award’, sponsored by SXSW Sydney.
This prestigious award recognises Corinne’s tireless dedication to fostering community-driven philanthropy and her deep commitment to empowering underrepresented groups in Sydney.
Corinne’s leadership has made a tangible difference in our community. In her role at IMPACT100 Sydney, she has helped bring together over 100 donors every year, each contributing at least $1000 each to create a major grant of $100,000.
Last year alone, IMPACT100 Sydney raised more than $250,000, which has helped provide crucial support to Sydney’s most vulnerable communities. Beyond her work at IMPACT100 Sydney, Corinne also co-founded Migrant Women in Business, an initiative that connects migrant women entrepreneurs with vital resources and support. Her work in both spaces reflects a profound commitment to creating opportunities for those who need it most.
In her acceptance speech, Corinne acknowledged the collective power behind these movements.
“While I stand here accepting this award, I’m conscious that the real heroes are the many donors who make IMPACT100 an incredible movement for change and social investment in Sydney. Their generosity and vision drive our work forward.”
Over the past eight years, through Corinne’s leadership and the efforts of a small group of volunteers, IMPACT100 Sydney has raised and granted almost $1 million to grassroots organisations. The impact has been tremendous, addressing pressing issues including family and domestic violence, homelessness, and access to education.
During her speech, Corinne also asked those present at the event to consider their own role in creating change.
“When you make your way home tonight, and pass by one of the many people sleeping rough on our streets, or you scan the paper tomorrow morning and see yet another tragedy caused by domestic violence… I ask that you not turn away with a feeling of helplessness. Instead, consider how you as an individual can lean into organisations making a real difference.”
This powerful message encapsulates Corinne’s belief in the collective strength of our community to create lasting change.
Sydney Community Foundation CEO, Loredana Fyffe, was in attendance on the night and praised Corinne for her indefatigable work on IMPACT100 Sydney.
“What a thrill to see Corinne win the Unsung Hero Award at Committee For Sydney’s Sydney Awards,” she said.
“As the Co-Chair of IMPACT100 Sydney, she has dedicated herself entirely as a volunteer to lead this transformative initiative, and has also recruited and leads an incredible group of volunteers who share her vision for a better Sydney. We are proud to be part of the IMPACT100 journey at Sydney Community Foundation.”
As we celebrate this well-deserved recognition of Corinne’s work, we extend our deepest gratitude to Nicole Shore, Corinne’s Co-Chair at IMPACT100 Sydney, and Jeremy Motbey, for his expertise and incredible dedication to the grant process. We would also like to acknowledge former Chair Alan Duncan for his stewardship of the organisation in its first five years.
We look forward to what the future holds as Corinne and the IMPACT100 Sydney team continue to champion philanthropic efforts for Sydney’s grassroots organisations. As Corinne said in her acceptance speech, “The best is yet to come.”
To find out more about IMPACT100 Sydney click here.
