One Hour. One Hundred Dollars. A Thousand Reasons to Show Up

It was one of those evenings and I had networking event where I showed up mostly because I

said I would. I was exhausted after working and just wanted to go home and put on my sweatpants.I was hoping to make a connection or two though, maybe hear something inspiring, but mostly I was just going through the motions. I had been to a few of them now.

And then I met someone who had the kind of energy that wakes you up a little.

You know the feeling, you’re just making small talk and suddenly, you're in a

conversation that has weight. The kind that makes you pause and think a little

deeper than you planned that night.

We talked about the people we surround ourselves with, how that circle either

pulls you forward or holds you back. How you need some people who mirror your

thinking and others who challenge it. We talked about professional growth,

personal clarity, and what it takes to really feel like you’re part of something

meaningful. That conversation cracked open something in me. It reminded me of

how important it is to find purpose in the spaces we occupy.

And that’s what brought 100 Women Who Care to mind. Because that group isn’t

just something I attend, it’s something I feel. Every single time.

A Giving Model That Actually Works

If you haven’t heard of 100 Women Who Care, let me tell you what makes it

remarkable. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t run on big-name sponsors or multi-page

strategic plans. It’s built on something much simpler, and arguably much

stronger: trust, efficiency, and collective intent.

The model is easy to explain. Once a quarter, we gather, roughly one hundred

women from all walks of life, all corners of our region. We each bring $100. Three

nonprofits come in and share their stories. Not just their missions, but their

challenges, their hopes, their impact. Then we vote. One organization walks away

with $10,000.

If there are extra funds beyond the base, they’re split between the remaining two

nonprofits. Nothing is wasted. No one leaves empty-handed. Everyone leaves a

little more connected.

It’s quick, it’s focused, and it’s deeply effective. There’s no red tape. No grant

applications. No waiting for someone else to decide where money should go. It’s

the kind of direct community investment that just works.

And honestly? It’s one of the most honest models of generosity I’ve seen. Everyone

gives the same amount. Everyone gets a vote. Everyone’s presence matters.

What It Feels Like to Be in the Room

I’ve been part of the 100 Women Who Care Seacoast chapter for a while now, and

I still get that buzz of anticipation before every meeting. We serve the southern

Maine and New Hampshire communities, places that are full of organizations

doing incredible work, often with far too few resources.

There’s something grounding about walking into a room knowing we’re all there

for the same reason. We’re not networking. We’re not competing. We’re not there

to posture or promote. We’re there to listen, to learn, and to give.

And that listening? It’s not passive.

When the nonprofits present, you feel their urgency. You hear the fatigue in their

voices, sometimes. You see the emotion flicker in their eyes when they talk about

the people they serve. These aren’t statistics or case studies. These are stories.

These are real humans doing real work.

I’ve heard from mental health organizations trying to expand outreach to

underserved communities. From youth programs working to keep kids off the

streets. From housing initiatives helping families get back on their feet. And every

single time, I leave knowing that my $100 wasn’t just a donation, it was part of a

collective choice to back someone’s mission with real resources and real hope.

The Hardest Part: Choosing Just One

One of the most humbling parts of this process is casting your vote. Because

every organization that walks into that room is worthy of support. Every story has

merit. Every cause matters.

There’s no wrong vote. But that doesn’t make it easy.

You find yourself balancing emotional impact with logistical need, urgency with

sustainability. Sometimes you’re pulled in three directions at once. Sometimes

your head and your heart don’t align. And that’s okay.

What matters is that we’re all making a choice. Together.

And somehow, even with the weight of that decision, the process never feels

divisive. There’s no lobbying, no persuasion. Just women listening, feeling, and

voting. It’s democratic in the truest sense.

More Than Just a Donation

What keeps me coming back isn’t just the simplicity of the model. It’s the feeling I

get from being part of it.

Yes, $100 goes a long way when pooled with 99 other contributions. But what we’re

doing isn’t just about raising money. It’s about reinforcing community. It’s about

standing in a room full of people and saying, “I care about what happens here.”

And that’s something we don’t get to do enough in our day-to-day lives.

This space has become a kind of reset button for me. It’s a break from the noise

and the deadlines and the nonstop pace of everything. It’s a chance to remember

what matters, to hear the raw, unscripted needs of people doing the kind of work

that keeps our community moving forward. And let’s be honest, being surrounded by women who show up with their wallets

and their hearts? That’s inspiring.

The Power of Showing Up

Every quarter, I walk into the meeting with fresh curiosity. I don’t know what stories

I’ll hear. I don’t know who I’ll vote for. But I do know that I’ll leave better than I

arrived.

There’s something about collective action that re-centers you. That reminds you

how powerful simple participation can be. You don’t need to be an executive

director or a high-profile donor. You just need to care enough to be there. That’s

the threshold. That’s the barrier to entry.

And that accessibility is what makes it work.

We all have a million reasons not to go. Busy schedules, long days, family

commitments. But the beauty of this model is that it respects your time while

honoring your contribution. One hour. One hundred dollars. That’s it. And yet, the

ripple effect is massive.

I’ve watched nonprofits walk out of the room with tears in their eyes and new

possibilities in their hands. I’ve heard stories months later about how that one

donation helped them launch a program or expand services. It’s the kind of giving

that doesn’t end when the meeting does.

If You’re Local, Come Join Us

If you live in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire or southern Maine, I want to

personally invite you to our next gathering. Whether it’s your first meeting or your

fifteenth, you’ll be welcomed without hesitation.

We don’t care what you do for a living or whether you’ve ever donated to a

nonprofit before. We just care that you show up. That you listen. That you vote.

You can find our group on Facebook, search for 100 Women Who Care Seacoast.

That’s where we post meeting dates, share past recipients, and keep each other

informed. We don’t have a big infrastructure. That’s the point. We keep it simple so

that we can keep it focused.

And if you’re not local? Just Google “100 Women Who Care” and your city.

Chances are, there’s a chapter near you. And if not, maybe this is your sign to

start one. All it takes is a few committed people and a shared belief in doing good.

Final Thoughts

I’ve worked in HR & Talent Aqusitions for years. I’ve had tough conversations, celebrated big wins, and seen firsthand what happens when people feel seen and supported. And I can tell

you this: culture doesn’t just live inside the workplace. It lives in our communities,

in our habits, in the way we choose to engage with the world around us.

100 Women Who Care is about more than donations. It’s about believing in

people. Believing that small, consistent acts of generosity can build something

that lasts. That community investment doesn’t need to be complex to be

impactful.

So if you’re looking for a place to show up and do something real, this is it.

This is where the power of one hour, one hundred dollars, and one decision to care

comes together to create something extraordinary.

This is what happens when women come together with purpose.

This is why I keep showing up.

And maybe, after reading this, you will too.

About The Author:

Brylye Collins is a people-first HR leader with a passion for building strong teams and even stronger

communities. With years of experience in talent acquisition and organizational development, she

believes that the best workplaces are built on empathy, transparency, and a whole lot of heart.

Outside of the office, you’ll find her championing local nonprofits, attending concerts (especially

Dave Matthews Band), or deep in conversation about psychology and workplace culture. Brylye is a firm believer that when people show up for each other, whether in the boardroom or at a

community fundraiser, real impact happens.