A group of community members is showing Boulder County nonprofits how much they're valued, $100 at a time.
100+ Women Who Care Boulder County is a philanthropic organization of local women, each of whom pledge to donate $100 four times a year to a local nonprofit. Since its founding in 2013, the group has donated over $500,000 to nonprofits that directly benefit Boulder County residents.
"The money stays local," said Cheryl Craig, founder of 100+ WWC Boulder County. "That's the most important thing."
The "100 Who Care" concept has chapters around the world. Craig started the Boulder County chapter when she realized the idea would be a great fit for this area.
"Tell a woman a need, and she wants to help," Craig said. "She wants to fix it, she wants to fill it. I know how much need there is. We live in a very wealthy county, but ... we still have people that can't pay their bills."
Craig, a realtor, explained that a lot of women want to support these needs, but don't necessarily have time for volunteerism. This method, she said, at least takes some of the fundraising pressure off the nonprofits.
"We just come with our $100, and we're helping our neighbors," Craig said.
Every quarter, the members meet at Nissi's Entertainment and Events in Lafayette and draw three nonprofits from a pool of submissions. After hearing one member make a pitch for each nomination, the group votes on which to support.
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation also provides a matching grant up to $5,000 for 100+ WWC Boulder County's donations. The grant takes most donations to around $15,000 per nonprofit.
"These are often some of the biggest donations they get," said April Duffey, co-chair of 100+ WWC Boulder County.
Brandy Pietroiacovo, co-chair with Duffey, said her favorite part of the process is delivering the checks to the nonprofits.
"It's great to be able to make an impact on those places that, really, might not be able to make it to the next quarter if they didn't have our support," Pietroiacovo said.
The first meeting had just 32 women, who voted to support Lafayette nonprofit Imagine!. By 2019, the Boulder County chapter had already reached roughly $200,000 in total donations.
Now, the email list for 100+ WWC Boulder County has 180 people, but the turnout at meetings has dropped to around 95 active and consistent attendees since the Covid-19 pandemic. The group would love to have more members, which is one reason the "plus" symbol is a part of the name - there's no cap.
Duffey recalled one group meeting where she learned the nonprofit Mother House used the donation to buy car seats for women who use public transportation.
"My $100 helped a mother go to work and support her child," Duffey said. "Sometimes you forget what's going on outside your front door. So it is a little reminder that we're all here to help each other."
At the most recent meeting in August, members voted for TEENS, Inc. in Nederland. Previous recipients include Boulder Bridge House, Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, Recovery Café Longmont, A Way Forward, and Rise Against Suicide.
Group members have also supported recovery efforts for local disasters, including the Marshall Fire and King Soopers shooting.
The meetings also typically include remarks from the nonprofit that received the donation last quarter. At the August meeting, a representative with youth group Camp for Change told the women how their donation helped the kids they serve.
"There's not a dry eye," Craig said. "I have sobbed through some."
Duffey said she enjoys the fact that the donations impact her own community.
"To know that it's helping right here makes you feel so good," Duffey said.
The next meeting will be held Nov. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit 100womenwhocare.net.