3 minute read
GUYS WHO GIVE & 100 WOMEN WHO CARE
Empower Area Non-Profits with Exponential Gifts
By Bette Erickson
Both groups have donated thousands of dollars to area non-profits battling homelessness and hunger, empowering women and children, and supporting arts and education — all while encouraging philanthropy and camaraderie.
The 100WWC group is made up of women who collectively support non-profits in Broomfield by donating $100 each at their quarterly meeting and selecting a local non-profit to receive the money raised. Like Guys Who Give recipients, the 100WWC beneficiaries must be registered 501(c) (3) entities.
“I like 100 Women Who Care because I learn about a much wider group of nonprofits than the ones I’m usually exposed to,” explained longtime Broomfield resident Sara Taylor. “It feels really great to contribute a small part of a large donation. It’s a fun gathering and I meet someone new every time.”
Her husband Sam agrees. “Guys Who Give is the only place where I can learn about local non-profits from people who are passionate about the mission and contribute to that mission in a meaningful way.”
For Sam, there’s another perk to being a member of Guys Who Give. He adds, we meet “….while enjoying a local beer with a bunch of friends.”
Guys Who Give members also meet once a quarter, but unlike 100 Women Who Care, the fellas meet at a local brewery to visit for an hour or more as well. Both groups provide an opportunity for members to learn about local non-profit organizations. Typically, someone from the previous meeting’s beneficiary organization comes to discuss the work they do and how they plan to use the money donated.
The two groups are not affiliated in any way, other than their desire to improve outcomes for non-profits. Any member of either organization is allowed to nominate a non-profit for donations. Members are encouraged to write down the name of a charity, and from those provided at the meeting, three names are pulled. Then the three people who made the nomination are given about five minutes to make their pitch, and the group casts a silent vote.
At the end of the gathering, votes are tallied and everyone writes a check, or hands in cash, for at least $100. And when combined, that’s a lot of money donated to a charitable organization. For instance, when 100 women or men donate, of course, that sums to at least a $10,000 donation. Broomfield’s 100 Women Who Care is currently made up of more than 100 members.
As soon as all donations are collected, either in-person or online through their website, typically a meeting is arranged with the charity, and one or two representatives from either Guys Who Give or 100 Women Who Care and the person who nominated the organization.
These benevolent groups are not for everyone, and that’s okay. For instance, members may be hesitant to join for reasons other than time and cost commitment. Participants are expected to donate to the group that is selected.
“I am always thrilled when people give to charity, and the idea of a group of women pooling their resources to make more of an impact is wonderful,” Councilmember Liz Law-Evans explained.
“But my family and I have chosen to give to charities that we are passionate about. We don’t want to inadvertently give to a charity that is not aligned with our family’s values just because the group decided it was the thing to do.”
GUYS WHO GIVE
The next meeting of Guys Who Give is at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 10 at Wonderland Brewing Company, 5450 W. 120th Ave., in Broomfield. Visit GuysWhoGive.org.
For more information, contact Broomfield@GuysWhoGive.org.
100 WOMEN WHO CARE
The next meeting of 100WWC is 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 3 with location to be determined. Visit Broomfield100WomenWhoCare.com.
For more information, contact Broomfield100wwc@gmail.com.
