The power of 100+ women, united for local good.
100 Women Who Care,
Washington County,
Vermont
We are a “giving circle,” and our mission is to make a significant impact on 501c3 nonprofit organizations in Washington County through collective giving. We have partnered with Grapevine.org to manage membership and payment."We are each strong in our own right, but together, we are stronger."
Karen Dunigan,
Founder of 100 Who Care
How It Works
We use a simple four-step process:1. Join on Grapevine and commit to donating $100 four times a year ( or join as a team - details in Our Fact Sheet)2. Nominate a Charity
Members submit names of local non-profits with a 501c3 designation that deserve support.3. Listen and Vote
We gather for one hour, hear about three final charities, and cast a secret ballot.4. Watch the Impact
The winning charity will receive 100% of the collective funds.
Our Fact Sheet
Our Mission:
To create a meaningful impact on nonprofit organizations (NFPs) in Washington County, Vermont through the power of collective giving.Our Vision:
To build a large, vibrant, multi-generational community of philanthropic women. Each hour meeting begins with an optional 30-minute social time to connect with fellow members.Membership Details:
Women of all backgrounds and experiences willing to make a financial commitment for at least one year are welcome to join. There is a modest, one-time fee for incidental expenses.The Commitment:
All members commit to a $100 quarterly contribution in writing, even if they are unable to attend a meeting.
Individual Option: Donates a minimum of $100 per quarter. One individual equals one vote.
Team Option: Teams of 2 to 4 members split the quarterly $100 donation (e.g., $50, $33.34, or $25 each). One team equals one shared vote.How It Works:
Attendance: Meeting attendance is highly encouraged, as it serves as our main voting forum. Online voting is also available.Nominations:
Donating members nominate local NFPs on Grapevine. . All organizations must be registered 501(c)(3)s or have a fiscal agent. NFPs must be nominated from within the group; they cannot approach the organization directly. Political and religious organizations will not be considered.Random Selection:
Three NFPs will be randomly selected two weeks before the quarterly meeting. Members are notified immediately.Information about the NFPs:
Information about the three selected nonprofits is posted on our online platform. The quarterly meetings feature brief presentations made by our nominating members about the three organizations followed by Q&A.Voting & Donations:
Voting: Immediately following the presentations, individual members and teams vote online or in person. Votes are tabulated on-site, and the winning NFP is announced. Online voting is available for members who cannot attend.The Payout:
We use the Grapevine platform (used by all Vermont chapters) for electronic payments and automatic deductions. Grapevine accepts payments from Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) but cannot accept Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) or Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).Next Steps:
The two runner-up NFPs return to the eligibility pool. The winning NFP is ineligible for consideration for two years.Our Impact:
Donations are fully tax-deductible. With 100 or more women participating, we can direct up to $10,000 each quarter to local causes. Many chapters exceed this goal. For example, the Chittenden County chapter has over 200 members and donated just over $23,000 last quarter!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split a membership or join as a team?Yes! We welcome 'Team Memberships' (e.g., two, three or four friends splitting the cost). You will share the quarterly donation obligation, but please note that each Team Membership receives only one collective vote per cycle.What happens if I miss a quarterly meeting?Because we use Grapevine, missing a meeting is never an issue. If you set up automatic recurring donations, your funds are safely processed even if you can't attend. You can still review the nominated charities and cast your ballot online directly through our group page.How are the three final charities chosen to present?Every eligible 501c3 nominated by our members is placed into a pool. Prior to the meeting, three organizations are randomly drawn. The members who nominated those specific charities are then invited to give a brief, 5-minute presentation on why they deserve our support.Can I come or bring a friend to a meeting before committing to join?Absolutely! We love guests. Anyone is welcome to attend a meeting to experience the 'power of collective giving' firsthand. Guests are invited to listen to the presentations, but they cannot nominate a charity or vote until they officially join our circle on Grapevine.Can I use my Donor Advised Account?Yes! Grapevine provides clear directions.
Why we partner with Grapevine
Grapevine is a 501c3 that is a dedicated online platform designed specifically for collective giving circles like ours. Here is why it makes our chapter stronger:1. Effortless, Secure Voting
Grapevine provides a secure online voting system, allowing every member to cast their vote for our local non-profit nominees from any device.2. Safe & Transparent Donations
Grapevine safely processes tax-deductible donations online. You can quickly make your quarterly contribution or set up automatic recurring donations so you never miss a cycle.3. Real time Impact Tracking
Transparency matters. Through our Grapevine group page, you can see exactly how much money our chapter has raised, look at past donation cycles, and watch our cumulative community impact grow in real-time.4. Community Beyond the Meetings
Grapevine serves as our year-round digital home. It is a central place where members can nominate new local charities, discuss community needs, receive updates from past donation recipients, and stay connected between events.
Learn More!
Visit our Grapevine page for more information about our chapter and how to join our mission.Attend our upcoming meeting:WED, DECEMBER 3, 2026
Steele Community Room,
28 North Main Street, Waterbury, VT
5:30-7:00Email our leadership team with specific questions.
[email protected]
