By: Sarah Wright | Troy Times | Published July 31, 2024
TROY — In 2016, Nancy Hauff and four colleagues formed the Troy chapter of 100 Women Who Care to help create a direct, positive impact on the organizations in the area.
They currently have around 55 members, and they are welcoming new ones.
The 100 Women Who Care nonprofit began in Jackson, Michigan, in 2006 as a way to bring different women together to help raise money for local charities. From there, hundreds of chapters connected to 100 Women Who Care have formed in different areas all over the world.
“We’re committed to local charities in Troy and the southeast Michigan area,” Hauff said.
Troy’s chapter has raised funds for a diverse array of local charity organizations, including the Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence, Humble Design, Dutton’s Farm, and Taylor Street Primary Care Clinic, among many others. The charities that are selected to receive funding are nominated by active members of 100 Women Who Care, and the organizations are vetted to ensure that they are legitimate nonprofits.
Each quarter, two or three nominations are further considered by members before they vote on which charity to support for the quarter.
“There’s a five-minute presentation on why these charities should be selected, and then 10 minutes for questions and answers,” Hauff said.
Members then each donate $100 to the charity that was selected for the quarter.
Over the years, the Troy chapter of 100 Women Who Care has raised around $170,000 for various charities and organizations. For 2024, they’ve raised close to $11,400, which has gone towards the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation and the Gianna House Pregnancy and Parenting Residence.
Troy’s chapter has members from different backgrounds around the ages 40-75, but there is no age limit to who can join, and they are actively looking for new members.
“We’ll welcome any adult woman willing to make a difference,” Hauff said.
Cindy Stewart, a member of Troy’s 100 Women Who Care and the community affairs director for the city of Troy, has high praise for the nonprofit and strongly encourages other women to join.
“I have worked for the City of Troy over 26 years in my position as Community Affairs Director,” Stewart said in an email. “Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of working with our nonprofit organizations, volunteering with many of them as well as serving on a number of nonprofit boards and committees, plus donating money to help with their missions. When one of the 100 Women Who Care members approached me a number of years ago about their organization, I felt that they were the perfect fit for me. We are all busy women stretched for time from the Troy community who care about local causes and want to make an immediate, direct, and positive impact to help our community. There is strength in numbers and I invite other women to join this powerful organization.”
The meetings generally occur 6:30-7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday in February, May, August and November. The Troy School District Services Building at 4420 Livernois Road generally houses their meetings, though the upcoming Aug. 6 meeting is currently planned to take place at Joe Kool’s, 1835 E Big Beaver Road.
“Women interested in joining can either come to our next meeting, or complete a commitment form online at 100 Women Who Care Troy,” Hauff said in an email.
For more information, visit 100womenwhocaretroy.org or the Troy 100 Women Who Care Facebook and LinkedIn pages.