Calling for all Women Who Care to make a difference

Are you looking for ways to help or support your community in 2022? Join us on Wednesday, March 16 from 6-8 p.m. at The Putnam Inn to learn more about the Women Who Care group. 

The Putnam County Women Who Care is a group of women who care deeply about our community. The group comes together four times each year to make a significant impact by giving together collectively. The women come from all walks of life, all ages, all parts of the county and even unite us with women who grew up here but have moved away.

Julie Thompson

The group is open to all women — the more women who become involved, the greater our impact will be. Our goal is to have more than 100 women involved.

The group is part of a national movement and is modeled after similar organizations throughout the United States and Canada. Putnam County is the third county in Indiana to form a group.  

Here is how it works. The Putnam County Community Foundation helps women join the organization and sign commitments to donate $500 total during a calendar year. The first $100 commitment supports an unrestricted endowment administered by the Community Foundation for the Women Who Care organization to address the community’s future needs.

In addition, every member pledges to donate $100 at each of the four quarterly meetings (whether they attend or not) to be given to a Putnam County nonprofit public charity selected during the meeting. One hundred members mean that four worthy local nonprofits will each receive $10,000 during the year. The larger the group, the greater the impact we will make.    

Women Who Care Putnam County allows busy women to become involved in giving back to the local community in a big way. Members meet four times a year for a one-hour meeting. Dates for 2022 are April 6, June 1, Sept. 7 and Nov. 2. At each meeting, members may nominate a charity by submitting their name, a speaker’s name and the name of a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, church or government entity she would like to have included in a drawing. At the meeting, three members’ submissions are drawn, and each will be given five minutes to provide an explanation of the organization and its services. Five minutes will also be provided for questions if needed.

At the end of the presentations, members vote, ballots are counted and a winner is announced. The winner will be notified, and the significant gift will be presented within two weeks. Members may pay through ACH handled by the community foundation or check/cash paid at the meeting. 

For a total of $500 a year, female philanthropists can have a huge impact on our community. Think about the difference a $10,000 donation would make to a local nonprofit organization. Think about the impact that $40,000 in donations can make this year. At the same time, the Women Who Care will be building an endowment that will provide permanent funding to benefit our community in the future.

We hope to see you on March 16. The Putnam Inn will have beverage and food pairings for the event. This will be an informal time to learn more about the organization and meet new women. A time to network and share your passion for the Putnam County Community.

If you have questions, feel free to email those to 100womenwhocarepc@gmail.com.