Women Who Local non-profit invests in
CARE A
local organization dedicated to helping other non-profits by providing financial contributions is at it again. It’s also an organization made up of all women, who not only support others but also each other. The group, 100 Women Who Care, has a simple concept. Made up of 100 women (actually it’s closer to 140 now), each member gives $100 four times a year, totaling more than $10,00 every quarter, to “invest in the power of the human spirit,” said Suha Costy, who is the founder of the Northville chapter. The idea is to leverage many small gifts into a large one, to provide a greater impact towards the organization receiving that quarter’s contribution. Members
46 The ‘Ville
‘power of the human spirit’ Story and Photos by Laura Fawaz
Amy Walsh (from left), Suha Costy, and Lisa Wiseley (far right) from 100 Women Who Care write out the check to Rachelle Vartanian, founder of The Living & Learning Enrichment Center.
nominate a 501(c)3 nonprofit local charity, and three are picked at random. The organizations are given 3-5 minutes to give a presentation to the group, describing their
needs, and how the donation will benefit them. After taking a vote, one cause is chosen, and a special check delivery presentation will take place. Additionally, the recipient
will be encouraged to report on the progress and lifechanging differences that the contribution has made, at the next quarter’s meeting. Lisa Wiseley and Amy Walsh are the co-founders, who joined with Costy in the beginning. They all spent endless time and money with several charities, but not feeling like they were making a big impact. Knowing there was more they could and should do, Costy told them about 100 Men Who Care, after seeing a positive reaction from her husband Del, who had recently joined the Rochester chapter. “So we got together and realized how easy it would be to gather like-minded friends to do the same thing in Northville. Many of us have families, jobs and responsibilities that make
