About

100 Women Who Care

100 Women Who Care of Michiana is an organization of women who share a common desire to give back to their local community. Individually, each member commits to donate $100 per quarter ($400 annually) to support non-profit groups in our community. The original 100 Women Who Care was started in Jackson, Michigan in 2006. More than 350 chapters have spread throughout communities in the United States and across the globe.

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Making a Difference

People inherently want to help others, but they do not possess the know-how. We want to make a difference to a local nonprofit and you can help!

Current Members

Local Charities

hours met per year

Frequently Asked Questions.

Which organizations may be considered by 100 Women Who Care-Michiana?

Nominations must have 501(c)(3) agency status and be willing to designate the funds for use locally. Recipients must agree not to solicit members or share names or other information about 100 Women Who Care Michiana members. The organization cannot have a religious or political component. National organization are only eligible if the funds will be used in our Michiana community.

Is my contribution tax deductible?

Your contribution may be tax deductible if made payable to COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY. Donations also be made by credit card, by clicking the DONATE button on our website then choosing 100 Women Who Care MICHIANA from the dropdown. Checks are made payable to COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY with “100 Women MICHIANA” written on memo line, and mailed to COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY, PO BOX 2932, Elkhart IN 46515. (This is important for depositing your check and also for attributing your donation to the correct MICHIANA chapter of 100 Women Who Care.) Please contact your tax advisor or visit the IRS Website for information on tax deductibility. Tax receipts will be issued to you directly by COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY, so you will need to have a current address on (or attached to) your check.

How do I nominate a charity?

Once you join our chapter you may nominate a charity. You will need to email your name and the name of the charity you are nominating to [email protected] no later than on week before the meeting. Any charity not submitted in advance of the meeting will not be eligible for selection that evening. Before submitting your nomination, please complete our nomination form to ensure you have all of the information you need about your charity. You will receive a confirmation email that your charity meets our criteria.

Upon arrival to the meeting, you will be given a slip of paper – please put your name and the name of the organization you are prepared to represent. Three names will be drawn randomly from a basket and the person whose name is on the slip of paper will present (no substitute speakers, please). Bring the Nomination Form with you to the podium so that you have key information at your fingertips. If an organization’s name is drawn that has already been selected that evening, it will be eliminated ensuring that three unique organizations have a chance to receive the donation. Note that organizations who are awarded the donation have a waiting period of two years before they are eligible to receive the donation again.

All charitable organizations up for consideration must be local. A local project associated with a national charity may be considered if 100% of the donated funds stay in our Michiana Community.

Can I bring a friend to the meeting?

Of course you can! However, in order to vote she will need to sign a commitment form and become a member before voting at the meeting. She is, of course, welcome to donate to the selected charity if she chooses to do so.

What if I am only able to commit to give $50 per quarter ($200 annually)?

You may still join! Find a friend who will also commit to $50 per quarter and the two of you may share one membership. Each membership equals $100 donation per quarter. No more than 2 women per membership. Remember, one membership is given one vote.

Do I have to nominate a charity?

No. Many women like to just show up and make a donation. While all members have the opportunity to nominate a charity, it is not a requirement of membership.

Can I send the donation to the charity myself?

The goal of the 100 Women Who Care organizations is to make a large donation on behalf of the whole group. We want to be able to support this endeavor and give $10,000 dollars at a time to make a large impact in our community, with each member’s donation being part of the larger donation.

How long do the meetings last?

Meetings will take no more than an hour. We plan to start promptly at 6 pm. If you wish to stay later, there are restaurants, a wine bar and a coffee shop nearby for socializing.

What do you do with my personal information?

100 Women Who Care Michiana collects your personal information (including name, email address, phone number, and mailing address) strictly for the purpose of keeping in contact with our members. 100 Women Who Care Michiana will not sell, give, or otherwise share your personal information with any third party. Ever. We may occasionally recognize our members via social media and other media or take group photos. If you want to remain anonymous you must let us know at the time of joining.

Will the winning charity recieve $10,000?

Our goal is 100 Women for a $10,000 local, Michiana impact. However, until that time, we will donate 100% of all contributions received toward the winning organization. So if we have 30 women contributing $100 each at the meeting, we would donate $3,000.00 to the winning organization. Likewise, if we have 100 women contributing $100 each at the meeting, we would donate $10,000.00 – so spread the word!

What is a 501(c)(3)?

A 501(c)(3) is defined as “exemptions that apply to corporations, and any community chest, fund or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational purposes, to foster national or international amateur sports competition, promote the arts, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.” However, for the purposes of 100 Women Who Care all groups up for consideration must be local. A local project associated with a national charity may be considered if 100% of the donated funds stay in our Michiana community.

Why is my check payable to the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY?

The COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY has graciously entered a partnership with 100 Women Who Care MICHIANA as of December 2018, to help take our chapter to the next level! By partnering with the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY, your donations are tracked, receipted and forwarded to the winning organization – when your check is made payable to COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY and you write ”100 Women MICHIANA” on the memo line. You may also click the DONATE button on our website and choose “100 Women Who Care MICHIANA” from the dropdown, to pay by credit card. To learn more about the many ways the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY inspires generosity across our region, visit them at www.InspiringGood.org.

How do I become a member?

It couldn’t be easier! Join on our website : www.100WomenMichiana.org or attend our next meeting and sign a commitment form to register as a member. We meet quarterly on the second Monday of April, July, October and January.

What commitment am I making by becoming a member?

Membership in 100 Women Who Care Michiana includes making an annual tax deductible donation of $400 ($100 per quarter) to local charities serving St. Joseph County and our Michiana Community. Attendance at meetings is not mandatory but the donation is.

Membership is for a one (1) year period of time and will renew automatically unless notice is given. Members may withdraw at any time. Should you wish to discontinue membership, please contact us indicating your withdrawal from 100 Women Who Care Michiana.

Members who have not paid their quarterly commitment forfeit their right to vote or submit a charity for nomination until they have caught-up with their outstanding commitment(s).

What if I can't attend a meeting?

If you cannot attend a quarterly meeting you should do one of the following:

Give your blank $100 check and your proxy vote to a friend who is attending the meeting. She can vote your proxy.
Click the DONATE button on our website and choose 100 Women Who Care MICHIANA from the dropdown.
Mail your check (payable DIRECTLY to COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY with “100 Women MICHIANA” written on memo line) to COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY, PO BOX 2932, Elkhart IN 46515. A rubber stamp will be available at each meeting for stamping the payee name and memo line, and self-addressed envelopes for the Community Foundation will also be available.

Can a charity nominate itself?

No, a charity must be nominated by a member.

What if I don't care for the charity that has been selected?

Each member commits to donating $100 per quarter ($400/ annually) even if they are unable to attend the meetings or do not care for the selected non-profit.

What happens at a 100 Women Who Care-Michiana meeting?

Generally, our meetings will go as follows:

5:00 to 5:30 pm – Check-in and mingling-Cash bar will typically be available.

6 pm – Meeting begins

Opening remarks by 100 Women Who Care Michiana member.
The charity that received the funds from the previous meeting will be asked to tell the group how their donations were/will be used within the organization.
Three (3) nominated charities will be selected at random from the basket.
The members who nominated those three (3) charities will each have five (5) minutes to present their charity to the group (no PowerPoint or collateral materials, please). A 2 minute Q&A will follow each presenter.
Members will submit their anonymous ballot and the votes are tabulated.
The charity with the most votes is announced.
Checks are written by each member to the selected charity.
A simple concept. A big impact.

7 pm – Meeting is adjourned.

How much of my donation goes to the administration costs of 100 Women Who Care-Michiana?

Absolutely zero! 100 Women Who Care Michiana is organized and operated entirely by women who volunteer their time. We do not collect any money for administration. 100% of funds donated at a meeting go directly to the selected charity