Relationship with Binnacle House
Binnacle House is honored to serve as the founding sponsor of Impact 100 Hunterdon. The inspiration to establish a chapter in Hunterdon County stemmed from the experience of Binnacle House CEO, Lawrence Brooks, who was a finalist for the Indian River Impact 100 in Florida in the early 2000s. Recognizing the transformative potential of this model, the Binnacle House Board unanimously approved the allocation of seed funding and staff resources to support the launch of this initiative-one of its first major undertakings as a newly established community foundation.
Operating as a DBA under Hunterdon Youth Services, Binnacle House has been a cornerstone of community support for nearly five decades. The transition to the name “Binnacle House” reflects the Board’s commitment to expanding its mission beyond the geographic and demographic boundaries implied by “Hunterdon” and “Youth.” A BINNACLE is the housing for a ship’s compass-a fitting metaphor for the organization’s belief that while everyone must chart their own course, Binnacle House can provide the steady foundation upon which that compass is set.
Originally founded as an emergency shelter for youth, Binnacle House evolved into a group home for boys in the early 2000s. In 2022, the Board undertook a strategic planning process to explore how the organization could broaden its impact. This led to a bold decision: to transition from a direct service provider to operating as a community foundation, thereby enabling greater reach and flexibility in addressing community needs.
By operating under the umbrella of Binnacle House, Impact100 Hunterdon benefits from significant operational efficiencies. The chapter avoids the administrative and financial burden of establishing a separate 501(c)(3), allowing more resources to be directed toward mission-driven work. This structure also ensures that donations are tax-deductible, subject to individual tax circumstances. Each year, the Impact100 Hunterdon Leadership Council develops an annual budget, which is reviewed and approved by the Binnacle House Operating Board, including any financial support required to sustain the program.
For more information about Binnacle House, visit www.binnaclehouse.org