Frequently Asked Questions
How long has this organization been in San Luis Obispo?
100+ Women Who Care in SLO was founded in March of 2008 by Cathie Orrick, a retired teacher who loves her community and wanted to make a meaningful impact.
Do I have to attend every meeting to remain a member?
No, you don't have to attend any meeting. You will remain a member as long as you send your $100 check
twice a year.
How does a typical spring in-person meeting work?
- The meeting starts promptly at 6:00pm! Arrive early or stay later to get yourself food & drink. Our current meeting venue is SLO Public Market Event Center (upstairs).
- If you have a charity suggestion, complete the form and put it in the basket at the head table.
- After a brief introduction, three names are randomly drawn from the basket. Each member
- Following a short question and answer period, members immediately vote by ballot. If there is a tie, a second vote of the top two choices will be taken.
- Once the recipient has been chosen, members write a $100 check (no cash, please) to that nonprofit organization. Checks are collected, and we marvel at how easy it is to help others in our community in minutes!
How does a typical fall email meeting work?
- You will receive an email including instructions on how to nominate a charity along with a nomination form. If you have a charity suggestion, complete the form and return it by email.
- Three nomination forms are randomly drawn by a non-member.
- You will receive an email including the three nomination forms, and you vote with an email reply stating your favorite choice.
- After votes are tallied, you will receive an email with the winner and then you write a $100 check (no cash, please) to that nonprofit organization.
- Send the check to P.O. Box 2474, Avila Beach, CA 93424
- All checks will be delivered in person shortly after the voting period ends.
Why do we have both in-person and email meetings?
Due to covid in 2020 we began the donation process entirely by email. Members voted in August 2025 for a hybrid schedule including one in-person and one email meeting each year.
How much of my donation really goes to the charity?
Every penny! That's why you write your check directly to the chosen charity. And it's tax deductible. (Note, the nonprofit organization agrees not to add your contact information to any mailing lists.)
Which organizations are allowed to be sponsored?
The organization must be located in San Luis Obispo County and it must be a non-profit organization
recognized as a 501(c)(3) that serves the county. It can be a national organization as long as there is an SLO
County chapter and the money is guaranteed to stay in our county.
What is a 501(c)(3)?
501(c)(3) is defined as "exemptions apply to corporations, and any community chest, fund or foundation,
organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary,
educational purposed, to foster national or international amateur sports competition, promote the arts, or for
the prevention of cruelty to children or animals." For the purpose of 100+ Women Who Care, a local non-
profit, charitable, non-religious group is acceptable. If you're not sure that your suggested charity is a
501(c)(3), just ask them.
Is my donation of $100 tax deductible? How do I get credit for my donation?
Yes, your donation is tax deductible because your check is written directly to the charity and NOT
to 100+ Women Who Care. Your check is your receipt.
How do I get my check to be included if I can't attend the meeting?
- You can give a signed, blank check to an attending member. She will fill in the name of the winning charity and submit it to the organizer so it is included with the other donations.
- After the meeting, members are emailed the results of the meeting, You can then write your check, mail it to the organizer, and have it included with the other donations.
Can I just send my donation to the charity myself? Why do you have to send it on my behalf?
The goal of the 100+ Women Who Care is to make a large donation on behalf of the whole group.
We want to be able to support this endeavor and give $10,000+ at a time to make a large
impact in our community, with each member's donation being part of the larger donation. So, the
collective effort is imperative in order to make a large impact. There is power in numbers!
I would like to bring a friend to the meeting but she is not a member. Can I?
Absolutely! However, in order to vote, she will have to become a member by signing a
commitment form (membership form). She can complete the form at the meeting or she can
request a membership form by emailing: [email protected] or calling (805) 471- 4537.
I sent an email and have not gotten a response. What's up?
- Look in your spam/junk folder for the response. Some computers are pickier than others.
- To receive future emails/updates, enter the email address [email protected] in your address book/contact list.
I belong to a group and wonder if you will come to our meeting and share your information?
Yes! Contact us via ph. or email and we'll set up a time to visit your group and share about 100+ Women Who Care SLO County
