BY KIRSTEN BOLTON
For 100 Women Who Care Salt Spring
There is something very grassroots, effective and “Salt Spring” about the high-impact philanthropy model that 100 Women Who Care Salt Spring has been working with since November 2018. The group celebrates its sixth anniversary next month, corresponding with its next general meeting and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Imagined in November 2006 by a Michigan woman as a way to raise money quickly for local charities, the 100 Women Who Care idea started with a group of just over 100 women. At its first one-hour meeting, each wrote a cheque for $100 for The Centre for Family Health, its chosen cause, raising $12,800 to buy 300 new baby cribs. Since then, hundreds of chapters have popped up all over the world.
On Salt Spring, the local chapter founded by Janine Fernandes-Hayden has raised over $285,000 since 2018 for 17 on-island causes, ranging from eldercare services, pathways, early child education, the SPCA, IWAV, search and rescue, Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre and more.
“What makes our system so compelling is that it’s not about writing grants and waiting months to find out what a jury or committee thinks,” said chair Linda Adams. “Three nominated causes are drawn from a hat; each makes a five-minute presentation; and members in the room cast blind ballots to vote for the cause they support. It’s fast, it’s fun and the recipient of the funds learns on the spot.”
100 Women Who Care has several important dates for those who wish to renew membership and for those who may be interested in joining. Becoming a new member involves going to the organization’s website and filling out the online “Become a Member” form. Membership runs through three gatherings a year from November through June and requires the commitment of paying $100 towards each of the three winning charities that are awarded funds throughout the year. Tax receipts are issued.
Each member can nominate one local CRA-registered charity who she feels is worthy of support for a particular project or initiative. The member does not have to be working with the charity but could simply be inspired by its work.
“What we sometimes find is that charities, their board members and staff become members so they can nominate their organization, which is strategic because then they can also show up and vote,” explained Adams. “But we also get many new members and nominators because they have had particularly meaningful experiences with certain charities who personally helped them, their family members, or with issues close to their hearts.”
Membership has grown steadily over the years. Currently with over 150 Salt Spring women of all ages and walks of life, the organization is always happy to welcome new members to increase its impact for local charities.
“We want to encourage women philanthropists to be part of a movement that gets things done on a local level as only we can — compassionately, practically and to the point,” said Adams. “But we’re also a great way to meet other inspiring women in the community, network and forge new friendships over common values. It’s community building at its best.”
Membership applications are open now at 100womensaltspring.org. Nominations close Oct. 21. The first meeting and vote at ArtSpring is on Nov. 12.