FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What kinds of charitable organizations can be considered for a donation?
To be considered, an organization must be a non-profit recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) and serve the Elmhurst and surrounding community – our mission is to make a local impact.
2. What do we ask of the charities when we donate to their cause? We ask the non-profits to come to our next meeting to share how our donation was or will be used. We also ask that our member listing not be used for further solicitation or distributed in any way.
3. How can we be sure that the charities are registered 501(c) 3 organizations?
During the meeting, we confirm 501(c)3 status using the on-line site Charity Navigator or other databases.
4. Can a charity be considered more than once? Charities can be presented for consideration as often as their presenter’s name is drawn at the meeting. This includes charities that have already been awarded a donation at a previous meeting.
5. Can a charity be considered that is outside of Elmhurst? The group vote determines the charity that is selected each quarter. The charity should be able to demonstrate that funds allocated from the 100+ donation will be used to provide services to those in Elmhurst and the surrounding area.
6. How can I get a charity to be considered if there is a time-sensitive nature to its need for funds? There is no process to advance a charity for consideration outside of the quarterly meeting and voting process.
7. Can religious charities be considered? Yes, if they are an approved 501c3 charity.
8. What if more than one person wants to nominate the same charity?
Members are welcome to put their name “in the hat” for a charity they are prepared to present. Once a charity is selected, other names will be drawn until three distinct charities are chosen for the presentations.
9. What happens if I miss a quarterly payment? Recognizing that there can be extenuating circumstances causing a missed payment, a member can return to active membership by making a donation to the previous meeting's recipient. A member who is not current in donations is not eligible to vote or present.
10. Can I bring someone from the charity to help with my presentation? Guests are welcome but only active members of Elmhurst Area 100+Women Who Care can present.
11. What if questions remain after the five Q and A period? At the will of the majority in attendance at the meeting, the time can be extended by three minutes. Time boundaries are set to respect our one-hour meeting goal.
12. What forms of payment are accepted? Members can make their quarterly donation with a check (made payable directly to the charity) or with credit card or bank transfer. For credit card donations, we use an on-line platform called Grapevine that allows members to donate quarterly or with an on-going subscription.
13. How will I receive a receipt/acknowledgement for my donation?
You will receive an acknowledgement letter from the charity. If you pay through the on-line option, you will also receive a charitable gift receipt from Grapevine.
14. Will my contact information be shared?
No. 100+ Women Who Care will not share your contact information and the chosen charity will be asked not to use your information for future solicitation.
15. How will I be notified of the winning charity if I am unable to attend a meeting? You will receive an e-mail from [email protected] following the meeting. It will give you instructions to make your donation, which is requested to be sent within two weeks.
16. How is the donation presented to the winning charity?
A time and location are selected to meet with the charity to present our collective donation. The member who presented the winning charity, and all 100+ WWC members are encouraged to attend.
17. Are there any hidden costs or obligations of joining this group?
No. We are hugely fortunate to Angelo’s Ristorante for donating our meeting space. Any printing/administrative/website costs are donated by the steering committee. All members are welcome to contribute to the group, especially as volunteers at the meetings.
18. What do I do if I am unable to continue my participation with the group? Just let us know. We are grateful for each member and her contribution to our collective impact in the community.
updated 01/2023
1. What kinds of charitable organizations can be considered for a donation?
To be considered, an organization must be a non-profit recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) and serve the Elmhurst and surrounding community – our mission is to make a local impact.
2. What do we ask of the charities when we donate to their cause? We ask the non-profits to come to our next meeting to share how our donation was or will be used. We also ask that our member listing not be used for further solicitation or distributed in any way.
3. How can we be sure that the charities are registered 501(c) 3 organizations?
During the meeting, we confirm 501(c)3 status using the on-line site Charity Navigator or other databases.
4. Can a charity be considered more than once? Charities can be presented for consideration as often as their presenter’s name is drawn at the meeting. This includes charities that have already been awarded a donation at a previous meeting.
5. Can a charity be considered that is outside of Elmhurst? The group vote determines the charity that is selected each quarter. The charity should be able to demonstrate that funds allocated from the 100+ donation will be used to provide services to those in Elmhurst and the surrounding area.
6. How can I get a charity to be considered if there is a time-sensitive nature to its need for funds? There is no process to advance a charity for consideration outside of the quarterly meeting and voting process.
7. Can religious charities be considered? Yes, if they are an approved 501c3 charity.
8. What if more than one person wants to nominate the same charity?
Members are welcome to put their name “in the hat” for a charity they are prepared to present. Once a charity is selected, other names will be drawn until three distinct charities are chosen for the presentations.
9. What happens if I miss a quarterly payment? Recognizing that there can be extenuating circumstances causing a missed payment, a member can return to active membership by making a donation to the previous meeting's recipient. A member who is not current in donations is not eligible to vote or present.
10. Can I bring someone from the charity to help with my presentation? Guests are welcome but only active members of Elmhurst Area 100+Women Who Care can present.
11. What if questions remain after the five Q and A period? At the will of the majority in attendance at the meeting, the time can be extended by three minutes. Time boundaries are set to respect our one-hour meeting goal.
12. What forms of payment are accepted? Members can make their quarterly donation with a check (made payable directly to the charity) or with credit card or bank transfer. For credit card donations, we use an on-line platform called Grapevine that allows members to donate quarterly or with an on-going subscription.
13. How will I receive a receipt/acknowledgement for my donation?
You will receive an acknowledgement letter from the charity. If you pay through the on-line option, you will also receive a charitable gift receipt from Grapevine.
14. Will my contact information be shared?
No. 100+ Women Who Care will not share your contact information and the chosen charity will be asked not to use your information for future solicitation.
15. How will I be notified of the winning charity if I am unable to attend a meeting? You will receive an e-mail from [email protected] following the meeting. It will give you instructions to make your donation, which is requested to be sent within two weeks.
16. How is the donation presented to the winning charity?
A time and location are selected to meet with the charity to present our collective donation. The member who presented the winning charity, and all 100+ WWC members are encouraged to attend.
17. Are there any hidden costs or obligations of joining this group?
No. We are hugely fortunate to Angelo’s Ristorante for donating our meeting space. Any printing/administrative/website costs are donated by the steering committee. All members are welcome to contribute to the group, especially as volunteers at the meetings.
18. What do I do if I am unable to continue my participation with the group? Just let us know. We are grateful for each member and her contribution to our collective impact in the community.
updated 01/2023
