Question 1

How does the Power of 100 work?

Accepted Answer

The Power of 100 is a women’s giving circle in the Red River Valley. We meet four times a year — once per quarter — at a local venue in Fargo. Before each meeting, members nominate local nonprofits they’re passionate about. Three nominated charities are randomly selected to present for five minutes at the meeting about their mission and impact. After the presentations, every member in attendance votes for the charity they’d like to support. The charity with the most votes wins, and each member writes a $100 check directly to that organization. With 100+ members, that’s $10,000 or more going to a local nonprofit in a single evening. It’s simple, powerful, and 100% of every dollar goes directly to the charity.

Question 2

Is the Power of 100 RRV a charity?

Accepted Answer

No, the Power of 100 RRV is not a charity or a 501(c)(3) organization. We are an informal giving circle — a group of caring volunteers who come together to pool our donations for maximum community impact. No money passes through the group. Each member writes her $100 check directly to the winning nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible as a direct charitable contribution to that organization. Because we have no overhead, no paid staff, and no administrative fees, 100% of every dollar donated reaches the charity.

Question 3

Where does my $100 go?

Accepted Answer

Every penny of your $100 goes directly to the winning charity. You write your check (or donate online) directly to the nonprofit selected at the quarterly meeting — no money ever passes through the Power of 100 group. There are no administrative fees, no overhead costs, and no middlemen. The Power of 100 is run entirely by volunteers, so your full donation reaches those who need it most.

Question 4

What is the Power of 100 meeting agenda?

Accepted Answer

Our quarterly meetings are designed to be fun, social, and impactful — all in about 60 minutes. Here’s what to expect: We start with a social hour where you can grab a drink and connect with other members. Then we have a brief welcome and announcements from the organizing team. Next, three nominated charities each give a five-minute presentation about their mission and how they’d use the funds. The members have five-minutes on Q&A. After the presentations, members vote for the charity they’d like to support. The winning charity is announced, and members write their $100 checks on the spot. It’s an inspiring evening, and you’ll leave knowing you made a real difference.

Question 5

How can I sponsor a Power of 100 member?

Accepted Answer

If you’d like to sponsor someone’s membership, you can cover their $100 quarterly donation on their behalf. This is a wonderful way to include a friend, family member, or colleague who may not be able to commit financially but wants to participate. Simply have the person you’re sponsoring sign up as a member, and you can write the $100 check in their name at each quarterly meeting.

Question 6

How can I become a corporate in-kind sponsor of the Power of 100?

Accepted Answer

We welcome corporate in-kind sponsors who want to support our mission! In-kind sponsors typically provide meeting venue space, food and beverages, printing services, or other resources that help us run our quarterly events. In return, sponsors receive recognition at our meetings, on our website, and in our communications to 100+ engaged community members. If your business is interested in becoming an in-kind sponsor, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions