Sarasota has cultivated a community of generous and caring residents and is home to a rich variety of philanthropic groups. Among them are numerous dynamic women-funded nonprofit organizations that are making a meaningful impact in the community. These organizations, driven by the passion and vision of local women, focus on various issues such as education, health, economic empowerment, animal welfare and social justice. By pooling resources and fostering collaboration, these initiatives not only address pressing societal challenges but also uplift and empower women in the region. As they work toward creating a more equitable and supportive environment, the women of Impact100 SRQ, 100 Women Who Care and Sisterhood for Good exemplify the transformative power of women-led philanthropy and community engagement in our region.
100 Women Who Care - Greater Sarasota
100 Women Who Care – Greater Sarasota is a diverse group of women from various backgrounds and financial situations, united in their commitment to support local charities in the Greater Sarasota area. This initiative pools their donations to make a significant impact on the community. Founded in November 2006 by Karen Dunigan in Jackson, Michigan, 100 Women Who Care was created as an efficient way to raise funds for local charities and nonprofits. During their inaugural one-hour meeting, 100 women each contributed a $100 check, collectively raising $10,000 to provide 300 new baby cribs for a local organization. This straightforward yet powerful concept has sparked a global grassroots movement, with over 350 chapters making a difference in communities worldwide. The Greater Sarasota chapter launched in January 2018, bringing together local women who meet twice a year to choose one 501(c)(3) charity to support, aiming to collectively donate $10,000 or more each time. 100 Women Who Care – Greater Sarasota is not a 501(c)(3) or an incorporated business. The founders are passionate volunteers who have dedicated their time and talents to making a difference in our community. One hundred percent of the donations are given directly to the winning charity following each biannual meeting—there are no administrative costs that are paid for out of the member’s donations. The Greater Sarasota chapter of the group was started by seven women from Sarasota, headed by Debi Jacob and Kathy Gordon. “Kathy was familiar with 100 Women Who Care from the Michigan area because that’s where she lives in the summer and she loved the organization so much that she wanted to start one in Sarasota. Since she didn’t really know a lot of people, she asked me if I would help because I’m embedded in a golf community and know a lot of people,” shares Jacob. “Together, in 2018 we formed a committee of founding members. There were eight of us at the time and we all just reached out to people that we knew. We started with about 104 members and we’re now up to 217 members, so we’ve really grown over the years.”
Philanthropically inclined for much of her life, Jacob enjoys the simple method of gathering and giving that the group provides. “We meet twice a year and ahead of those meetings, members are charged with finding a not-for-profit that they would like to present to the group,” Jacob explains. “We then take all of those nonprofit names and put them in a hat and at the meeting, we pick three out of the hat and those three make a five-minute presentation and entertain a five-minute Q&A. Then the members vote on which of those three not-for-profits they want to make their contribution to and whoever gets the most votes is who is selected. Every woman who is a member writes a $100 check, which in total, generates about $22,000.” The efforts of the Sarasota chapter of 100 Women Who Care have contributed to 14 non-profits since inception, with donations totalling $312,395. Some of the groups supported included Second Chance, Last Opportunity, Children’s Guardian Fund, Project 180 and Resurrection House, a faith-based organization serving as a day resource center to the homeless of Sarasota County, who used the funds they received to buy new washers and dryers for their facility. In addition to their philanthropic efforts, the Greater Sarasota chapter of the organization has also mentored two startup groups, one in Manatee County and one in Venice. They are hoping to grow and they invite all women in the community to become a part of their powerful group and help to have a positive impact on those in need. To learn more about 100 Women Who Care - Greater Sarasota visit 100womenwhocare-greatersarasota.org
Impact100 SRQ
Founded in 2018, Impact100 SRQ unites a diverse group of empowered women dedicated to funding transformative grants for local nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Their innovative model invites at minimum, 100 women to contribute $1,000 each, allowing them to collectively award grants of at least $100,000 to nonprofits across five key focus areas: arts, culture and history; education; environment, recreation family; and health and wellness. Each member’s annual contribution amplifies the power of giving, supporting impactful projects that create sustainable change in our community.
Pam Kandziora has been a vital part of Impact100 SRQ since its inception. After relocating from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2015, she became captivated by the organization’s mission after reading an article about its founding president, Jane Watts. “I knew that upon retiring, I wanted to dedicate my time and talents to volunteer work without pursuing a salary,” Kandziora reflects. “However, I was overwhelmed by the multitude of incredible nonprofits in the region.” Inspired by the organization’s origins in Cincinnati, founded by Wendy Steele—who was named Florida Philanthropist of the Year last year—Kandziora embraced the opportunity to empower women as community activists through substantial grants. She was named president of the group in 2022.
In its inaugural year, Impact100 SRQ attracted 228 members. Today, the organization has grown to 876 members, a surge particularly evident during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the urgent need for their work and opened the possibility to remote involvement. This growth reflects not only the increasing demand for support but also the expansion of our communities, from Venice and North Port to Bradenton, Parrish and Palmetto. “We face the challenge of keeping our model relevant and engaging for a diverse membership across a broad geographic area,” Kandziora explains. Unlike other organizations that focus heavily on social events, Impact100 SRQ prioritizes education and engagement. “We host meet-and-mingle events and coffee chats featuring speakers who share insights into our mission and ongoing projects, all aimed at keeping our members informed and attracting new participants.” The grants provided by Impact100 SRQ are designed to be transformational. “These significant funds empower organizations to dream big and undertake initiatives that might not be feasible with traditional funding sources,” Kandziora emphasizes. “Our grants are intended for innovative projects, not ongoing operations, ensuring a sustainable legacy that endures long after the two-year funding period concludes.”
Impact100 SRQ has made a meaningful impact by supporting initiatives like the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry program, helping them to buy a refrigerated truck to keep their donated food fresh. They have provided housing assistance for families escaping domestic violence and assisted organizations such as Mothers Helping Mothers and Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc., to name a few. “The need in our community is immense, and we constantly strive to do more,” Kandziora states.
Ongoing goals of Impact100 SRQ involve growing their membership so that they can continue to expand their impact each year and continuing to spread awareness about their mission. “Like other nonprofits in the area, we’re entirely volunteer-run and self-sustained. Folks may look at all of the groups like ours in the area and say that we are in competition but I look at it differently,” says Kandziora. “There’s so much need in our community and by having more groups like ours, we increase the size of the pie that is able to give and do good work in the region.” To learn more visit impact100srq.org/
Sisterhood for Good
The members of Sisterhood for Good (SFG) are united by a powerful belief: when passionate women come together, they can make a profound impact on the causes they care about. Each member brings unique strengths and opportunities, collectively fostering hope, support and immediate change for local organizations and programs in need. As resilient and determined women, they leverage their talents and resources to enrich the lives of those in their communities. Through their friendships and shared passions, their collective voice drives meaningful contributions across a spectrum of charitable initiatives. Founded in 2011 by Angela Massaro-Fain and Kathy Collums with just 10 members, SFG began as a gathering of women eager to donate their time, talents, and treasures to their community. “We first met at Angela’s house, and one of our early discussions was about naming the group,” recalls Collums. “It felt like naming a baby. What should we call it?” After sharing some wine and snacks, they settled on Sisterhood for Good, committing to keep all funds raised local, maintain an all-volunteer structure and ensure accessibility for all. Today, the organization has grown to about 250 women, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and staying true to its original mission in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. “Every dollar we raise goes directly back into our grants—no one is paid, and we are 100 percent volunteer,” emphasizes Collums.
While many volunteers discover SFG through word of mouth, the organization also hosts monthly networking events to engage members and newcomers alike. “Whether it’s your time, which is invaluable to us, or your financial support, every contribution helps our causes,” says Massaro-Fain. One impactful initiative involved providing mammograms for those who were medically underserved. A local radiology center partnered with SFG to offer the service at a reduced rate of $100 per mammogram. At one such event, a woman under 40 was diagnosed early and received timely treatment, which likely saved her life. “How much more impactful can you get?” Massaro-Fain reflects. Groups supported by SFG in recent years have included Baby Basics of Sarasota, Beyond the Spectrum, Blaze of Hope, Children’s Cancer Center, St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, The Police Athletic League of Manatee County and Tidewell Foundation.
“The grant Move Mountains received from Sisterhood for Good last year was instrumental in helping us with an event that we call Project RAE,” says Nicole Nappi, founder of local nonprofit organization Move Mountains, Inc. “Each month, local families battling cancer come to us to pick up easy meals, snacks, supplies, etc. We also throw a Christmas party for them and purchase the items off the children’s Christmas wish lists. The extra money was such a blessing.”
Kelli Castro who runs the nonprofit, Saving Our Seniors, has always found it challenging to secure funding. She says the grant received from SFG has made a true difference and she is grateful. “This grant not only validates our work but also highlights the importance of supporting our aging community, which is often overlooked. With this support, we can continue our mission of ensuring no senior is left without access to fresh, nutritious produce in Manatee and Sarasota County, allowing them to maintain their dignity even when they need assistance.”
Despite these success stories, SFG faces significant challenges, including the rising cost of living and the need to keep members engaged without overwhelming them. “The demand for assistance in our community is greater than ever,” notes Collums. “We’ve seen this reflected in the number of grant applications and the increasing dollar amounts requested. At our recent Expo, representatives from local nonprofits consistently shared their stories of growing need, particularly among children and seniors.” With funding cuts affecting many organizations, the question looms: How can they secure a larger share of available resources? “Our maximum grant amount has always been $5,000, as we aim to support as many organizations as possible,” explains Massaro-Fain. “Some groups request only $1,500, while others apply for the full $5,000. Last year, we received 96 applications, prompting us to consider whether we should raise the maximum amount.” After discussion, the board voted to increase the annual limit to $7,500. “While that might not seem substantial to some, we’re hopeful that in 2025 we can provide even more support than in the past,” she adds. To learn more about Sisterhood for Good or to make a donation, visit sfgflorida.org
