WILLITS, CA., 4/28/25 — On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the 100+ Women Strong initiative of Inland Mendocino County will gather at the Willits Senior Center to award $10,000 to one of three nominated nonprofits serving the local community. This unique fundraising event aims to empower women and support grassroots organizations through collective giving.
The nominated nonprofits include the Community Defense Collective, which offers training in situational awareness, self-defense, and effective bystander intervention; the Grapevine Quilters Guild of Mendocino County, known for donating handmade quilts to individuals in need, including cancer patients and disaster victims; and the Willits Community Theatre, which not only stages theater productions but also provides a venue for community events and trains individuals in various aspects of live performance.
Each organization will present a five-minute pitch to the attendees, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session. After the presentations, those who have pledged a $100 donation will cast their votes for the nonprofit they believe deserves the funding. The winning organization will receive the grand prize of $10,000, while the other two nonprofits will split the remaining donations.
This event is part of a broader movement that has seen similar successes across the country. Last week, the 100+ Women Strong Mendocino Coast held a fundraising event that awarded $10,000 to the Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County and over $5,000 to two additional nonprofits.
Founded in 2019, 100+ Women Strong is an all-volunteer effort that welcomes individuals of all genders and backgrounds. The group has raised over $225,000 to support essential grassroots nonprofits in Mendocino County. In 2024, they partnered with the Community Foundation of Mendocino County to streamline their donation process.
Participants interested in attending the gathering can make a $100 donation in advance through the Community Foundation's website or mail their contributions to the foundation with a memo indicating "100 Women Strong Inland." Cash and checks will also be accepted at the door. The event will take place on Thursday, May 1, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Willits Senior Center, located at 1501 Baechtel Rd., Willits.
In a related initiative, another 100+ Women Strong event is set to take place in Itasca County, Minnesota, on Monday, May 5, 2025. This gathering, planned for Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids, aims to replicate the successful model of collective giving. Lisa Randall and Mary Ives, members of the steering committee, have been promoting the event on local radio shows, highlighting the importance of unrestricted donations that allow nonprofits to focus on their missions rather than fundraising.
"We have a lot of small nonprofits, and if they are spending all their time fundraising, they don't have time to focus on their mission, and that's what we want them to do," Ives explained during a recent interview on the KAXE Morning Show.
At the Grand Rapids event, attendees will also donate $100 each and nominate local nonprofits to compete for the combined donations. Three nonprofits will be randomly selected, and representatives will have five minutes to present their cases to the audience. After the presentations, attendees will vote for the nonprofit they feel is most deserving of the funds. If 100 women participate, the winning nonprofit will receive at least $10,000.
This initiative is particularly timely given the recent success of a similar event in Bemidji, which raised $17,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area. Randall and Ives are hopeful that the Grand Rapids event will exceed their expectations, stating, "The more women who donate, the larger the sum for the winning nonprofit."
Both events highlight a growing trend of women-led fundraising efforts aimed at empowering local communities and supporting essential services. By pooling resources, participants can make a significant impact on the nonprofits that serve their communities.
As the 100+ Women Strong movement continues to gain momentum, it not only fosters a spirit of collaboration among women but also reinforces the importance of community engagement and support for local organizations. The upcoming events in Willits and Grand Rapids are set to inspire more women to join the cause and contribute to meaningful change in their regions.
For those unable to attend the Grand Rapids event in person, donations can still be made through the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the cause.
As these initiatives unfold, they serve as powerful reminders of the collective strength that can emerge when communities come together to support one another. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every effort counts in making a difference.
