DuPage Co. group super-sizing small charitable donations
When you write a check to your favorite charity, you may wonder whether it really makes much difference to the cause. Even if it's a healthy sum, it's still just one check.
Maybe, if you're lucky, your company has a matching donation plan and your gift is twice as big.
But what if you knew that 100 people -- or more -- would match your donation? Now you're really helping the cause.
That's the premise of 100(+) Women Who Care and its DuPage County chapter. Participants commit to giving $100 each quarter to a different local charity selected by the group. With 100 women giving $100, that's $10,000.
In the 20 months since the chapter formed, members have given more than $75,000 to seven charities serving DuPage.
Member Sally Wiarda discusses how it works and who has been helped by 100(+) Women Who Care.
Q. What is your mission?
A. To raise money to help people who live in our communities.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. Through this group, the 100+ women members each commit to making four $100 donations to charities selected as recipients by a vote of the members at four meetings each year.
At each meeting, every woman present can choose to have her name placed in a "hat" for a chance to present information on a charity of her choice. Three women are selected to make a 5-minute presentation about their selected charity. Following the presentations, the women present vote for the charity they believe should receive the money. The charity receiving the most votes is the recipient of the donation that quarter.
The only criteria for consideration are that the charity be a recognized 501(c)(3) organization, that it serve only DuPage County residents and that it is not a national charity.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. The money we raise goes to charities/not-for-profits in DuPage County, therefore serving people in the county.
Q. When and why did the organization start? How has it grown?
A. 100(+) Women Who Care was the brainchild of Karen Dunigan of Jackson, Mich., and started in October, 2006. She saw a need in her community and wanted to find a simple and efficient way to raise money to meet that need.
Our chapter started in February, 2007, with about 70 members and we now have about 120 members from Carol Stream, Lombard, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, West Chicago, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Roselle, Wood Dale and Glendale Heights.
There are 11 chapters in the U.S. and a new one forming in south Naperville in November that will serve people in that area.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. Since we started in February, 2007, we have grown from about 70 members to 120 members and have donated more than $75,000 to seven different organizations. We will choose the eighth recipient at our meeting Nov. 11.
Q. What challenges do you currently face?
A. The challenge is to continue to grow and attract new members, especially in these difficult economic times. Unfortunately, the very real needs of people remain and more than ever need our support. However, most of our original members are still an active part of this wonderful group of women.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about the group?
A. The concept is so simple! The only criterion for membership is that you commit to donating $100 four times a year. Our meetings are super efficient, lasting less than an hour, and when you leave you know you have been part of something much bigger than yourself. And, if you can't make the meeting you just send your check with a friend or mail it in.
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. By joining!
Vital statistics
Annual budget: None
Sources of funding: Members of the group
Amount donated to other organizations: To date we have contributed more than $75,000 to seven organizations serving DuPage County - Jubilee Village, Frankie's Fund, CareLink Foundation, Bridge Communities, Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities, SunnyRidge Family Center and Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Full-time employees: None
Current wish list: More members
To donate: 1217 Shady Lane, Wheaton, IL 60187
To join: (630) 682-3355 or 100womenwhocare@comcast.net
Info: (630) 682-3355 or 100womenwhocare.com, click on "other chapters"
If you go
What: 100(+) Women Who Care quarterly meeting
Why: To choose a new recipient for club members' next donation
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 11
Where: Holiday Inn Carol Stream, 150 S. Gary Ave.
Info: (630) 682-3355 or 100womenwhocare@comcast.net
Talk back
If you'd like your charity, community organization or service group featured, contact Christie Willhite at (630) 955-3536 or cwillhite@dailyherald.com.