What Happens When 100+ Women Who Care Gather? Something Truly Remarkable!
/What Happens When 100+ Women Who Care Gather? Something Truly Remarkable!
An article written by Jane Majeski, Co-Chair of the 100+ Women Sanibel Captiva Program and CFI Board Member
On our quiet little islands, a new kind of philanthropy is making waves. In just its first year, CFI’s 100+ Women Who Care program has granted more than $36,000 to three local nonprofit organizations through the power of collective giving. One gift alone might feel small—but when you gather 100+ women in a room, truly remarkable things happen.
What Is Collective Giving?
It’s a simple but powerful idea: when individuals with shared values or interests pool their resources, they can make a far greater impact than they could alone. The concept has existed for centuries in informal ways—neighbors helping neighbors, church groups organizing aid, or women hosting fundraisers for community projects. The formal idea of women’s giving circles began in the United States in the 1990s. According to Philanthropy Together, a global collective giving initiative, there are now roughly 4,000 giving circles operating nationwide. Between 2017 and 2023, these circles collectively granted nearly $3.1 billion.
How It Began on the Islands
In late 2024, Captiva resident and friend Pam Browning—an active member of the Dayton, OH chapter—shared with me the extraordinary impact her group had made in their community. The idea immediately resonated with the Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ mission: Inspiring Philanthropy, Leadership, and Collaboration for the vitality of the island community.
With the support of the CFI Board, Pam, and the entire CFI team, the Sanibel-Captiva chapter of 100+ Women Who Care launched in less than a year.
A Movement That Spans the Globe
We’re proud to be affiliated with the 100 Who Care Alliance, which includes more than 650 active chapters and 250 in development worldwide. The movement began in Jackson, Michigan, in 2006 when Karen Dunigan gathered 100 women to each give $100 to fund baby cribs for families in need—raising $10,000 in an hour. That one act sparked a global movement, now including men, kids, and teens.
Our First Year in Action
Our inaugural meetings were held in February, March, and April. Each woman donated $100 per meeting ($300 for the year), nominated local nonprofits, and listened to three five-minute presentations before voting. The organization receiving the majority vote received the full contribution—with no strings attached. More than $50,000 was raised for three nonprofits including $15,000 in matching grants from a national foundation.
The 2025 recipients were:
· Community Housing and Resources (February)
· Children’s Education Center of the Islands (March)
· Sanibel School Fund (April)
At our first meeting in 2026, members will hear updates on how the funds have been used.
More Than Money
The ripple effect of 100+ Women Who Care goes beyond dollars. Nonprofits that presented but were not selected still gained valuable visibility and new supporters. Members discovered organizations they hadn’t known before—and deepened their connection to the heart of the islands.
For the women who join, it’s not only about writing a check—it’s about belonging. It’s about sitting in a room full of friends and neighbors, knowing that together they can do something extraordinary.
Join Us in 2026
Please join the 100+ Women Who Care movement in 2026—and bring a friend or neighbor! The success of this program demonstrates the power of generosity and community strength. Because together, there’s no stopping a group of community-minded women.
Learn more at www.sancap100.org.
Mark your calendars for the 2026 meetings:
· February 10
· March 10
· April 7
In just one hour, you can make a difference.
About Charitable Foundation of the Islands (MyCFI.org)
The mission of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration for the vitality of the Island community. CFI has served the Sanibel and Captiva communities since the 1990s through the Francis Bailey Society and was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2011.
100 Who Care Alliance About Us - 100 Who are Alliance
The 100 Who Care Alliance was started as a volunteer effort by four 100 Who Care chapter heads that wanted to create a format for sharing ideas and learning from the best practices of other 100 Who Care chapters. As chapter heads, we all have to address similar issues and challenges within our giving circles. We recognized that since we are in such diverse geographical locations, most of us can’t meet other chapter heads face to face and often, we don’t even know about each other. Towards that end, the Alliance was created to connect us, the 100 Who Care Chapter Leaders.
