That’s the philosophy of Jeri Bosman — one of the cofounders of the Albany chapter of 100 Women Who Care, a group that operates on a unique, simple yet flawless system for philanthropy. In 2016, she brought the concept, which spans across the United States, Canada and other parts of the world, to the Capital Region after learning about it from a friend in South Carolina.
“In 2006, the founder was tasked with raising $10,000 to supply cribs for babies going home without one after leaving the hospital where she worked,” Bosman said. “She started thinking about how to come up with that amount — and instead of seeking one singular donation, if she could get 10 people to donate $1,000 or 100 people to donate $100, the money might come easier.”
Here’s how it works: A group of women each pledge to donate $400 a year to local nonprofits. They attend one hourlong meeting per quarter, where they hear pitches from three fellow members on organizations that could use the funds. After a brief Q&A and a vote from the group, one nonprofit is chosen to receive every single donation from the members that evening.
Today, Bosman and her team of volunteers have grown the group to more than 220 Women Who Care and counting, and the Albany chapter will soon reach $500,000 total raised since inception.
“At our last meeting, we raised $22,000 in 40 minutes,” Bosman said. “Where else can you raise that much money that quickly? It’s incredible.”
Bosman says this efficient format — which has been likened to speed dating by some — is attractive to the women who join. The 100 Women Who Care group has grown to its current membership through word of mouth, with many women bringing a friend to a meeting and allowing them to experience the pitches before they decide to join.
About 80 percent of the original women who joined in 2016 are still part of the Albany chapter, and…
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