What's the Purpose?
If you haven't attended before, you might be wondering what's the reason for all this? Why not just send a donation directly to a non-profit you're passionate about? Well, you can do that, but there's so much more that we offer.
The purpose of the 100+ Women Who Care Itasca Area:
Make Meaningful Contributions- Make a collective financial donation to one local non-profit organization twice annually. As individuals, it is challenging to make a meaningful impact in our community, but as a group, we can impact our community in ways that we never thought possible!
Build Community Connections- Members come from all aspects of life and a variety of backgrounds. Together we can make a difference with the same goal to connect community networks, empower each other, and amplify each other's impact.
Collective Learning- Coming together to learn more about the community, the needs of the community, and the work that is happening to make the Itasca Area a great place to live, learn, work, and play.
Make Meaningful Contributions- Make a collective financial donation to one local non-profit organization twice annually. As individuals, it is challenging to make a meaningful impact in our community, but as a group, we can impact our community in ways that we never thought possible!
Build Community Connections- Members come from all aspects of life and a variety of backgrounds. Together we can make a difference with the same goal to connect community networks, empower each other, and amplify each other's impact.
Collective Learning- Coming together to learn more about the community, the needs of the community, and the work that is happening to make the Itasca Area a great place to live, learn, work, and play.
Is this event only for women?
This event is intended for women and those who identify with and support our mission. Individuals who do not identify as women are welcome to support the organization through donations or by encouraging others to get involved.
How to Nominate
Any participant is eligible to nominate a non-profit. If you're not sure who to nominate, don't worry, most attendees don't. The nomination is simple, but please review the requirements prior to nominating.
Requirements of submission:
- Must be a 501c3 and have IRS Certified Tax-Free Status
- Organization must have been in existence for a minimum of 18 months
- Organization must benefit the Itasca County
What happens at the event:
- All financially contributing members are eligible to nominate a local non-profit organization (501c3 status) that benefits the Itasca Area. Nomination forms are available at the meeting.
- Paid employees of the local non-profit organization cannot nominate their own non-profit organization.
- Members can submit their nominations on the day of the event.
- Of the local non-profit organizations that were nominated, three will be randomly selected to be voted on at each meeting out of a basket.
- The member who submitted the nomination will provide a 3 minute presentation (yes, it's timed!) to share the information included in the submitted nomination form. The information included in the nomination form will be:
- Name of the non-profit organization
- Mission and/or purpose of the non-profit organization
- What population do they serve
- What they do to make the Itasca Area a better place to live, learn, work and play.
- Speak from the heart, there is no time for a PowerPoint presentation - 3 minutes goes fast!
Voting Process
After hearing the three drawn non-profits, everyone votes for the organization they feel deserves the collectively raised funds.
Selection of Non-Profit Organization (Voting)
- Donating members who are present at the meeting will each have one vote.
- Votes will be submitted via paper/pen ballot or ticket received at the event.
- Members of the steering committee will count the votes.
- There will be an announcement of the local non-profit organization that received the majority votes.
- If there is a tie, it will be decided by the second round of votes. If a tie persists, the name of the organizations that are tied will go back in the hat and it will be drawn at random.
- Within the membership agreement, members will fulfill their financial commitment, even if the charity selected was not one that they voted for.
- When a non-profit receives a majority vote and receives the funding, it cannot receive funding again for a period of 2 years.
- If a non-profit was not selected during the meeting, it can be considered at a future meeting by submitting another nomination.
How to Donate
The power of 100 Women Who Care is that collectively, we do more. Bring $100 - either in cash or check (an ATM is on-site). If you would like to give more, you are more than welcome. If you miss the event, you can send donations to Grand Rapids Community Foundation or the winning non-profit directly.
Money Donated
- You must donate and be present to be eligible to nominate and vote at the Giving Events.
- Members can donate money in the following ways: bring a check made out to the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation (GRACF) which has manages the 100+ Women Who Care Itasca Area Fund or cash.
- If a member is unable to attend the meeting, they may give their donation to another member to deliver on their behalf or send a donation to GRACF with “100+ Women Who Care Itasca Area” in the memo line.
- Members who write a check will receive a tax receipt from GRACF. If the donation is cash then a receipt will be given at the event.
Make an Impact!
Join our next Giving Event - Register Today!