FAQ’s

The 100 Women Who Care Greater Rochester chapter had its first steering meeting in April 2013 and the first voting meeting took place on June 5, 2013. It was founded by Linda Chayka, Barbara Donohoe and Amy Whipple of Rochester Hills, Michigan.

In order to be considered at a meeting, the organization must be located in the Greater Rochester Area. It must be a non-profit organization recognized as a 501(c)3 that serves surrounding local communities. If it is NOT, the presenter must advise the members of that information.

A member who has signed the commitment form can put the name of a local organization into the box for a random drawing. The organizers of the meeting will collect names of organizations from the participants as they arrive. At random, three organizations will be selected from the box. The members who wrote down each name will be asked to come up and give a short 5 minute presentation as to why their chosen organization should receive the donation. A 5 minute question and answer period follows.

501(c)3 is defined as “exemptions 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. For more information please visit the IRS Web site.

This can happen in two ways:

1. You can send a blank, signed check with a trusted friend to the meeting. They will write in the name of the charity that is chosen and give it to the organizers on your behalf. They do not vote on your behalf. We can only count the votes of members who are present. Or…

2. After the meeting is over, members who were not able to attend can check the web site or call the organizers to find out which charity was selected. You can then write your check and mail it to the organizers and we will send it to the charity on your behalf.

The goal of the 100 Women Who Care organization 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.

Meetings are intended to be very short, generally lasting no longer than 45 minutes. However, we are planning on having a social time before each meeting to get to know other members, answer questions about the organization, and thank those of you who want to serve the community. We are also encourages members to stay and mingle afterwards.

Yes, your contribution is 100% tax deductible if the organization is a 501(c)3. Checks are written directly to the local organization NOT to 100 Women Who Care. Your tax acknowledgement letter will be sent to you directly from the organization that receives your contribution.

NOTE: Any sponsored non-profit is not allowed to create, sell or distribute a list with your contact information. They are not allowed to solicit you for further contributions. If this were to happen, the organization would no longer be considered at future meetings.

Yes, in many instances your employer may match your contribution dollar for dollar.  Contact your employer to see if they have a matching contribution program.  You may submit the form along with your check.

Of course you can! In order to vote and sign up, they will need to complete a commitment form (online, in person, or by mail) prior to the start of the meeting.