100 Women Who Care SMA is now 100+ Who Care SMA: Get Involved With The Non-Profits In Town

By Nikki Miller

If you are looking for ways to get more involved in the San Miguel de Allende community and meet new people, 100+ Who Care SMA may be right for you.  As a newcomer to San Miguel de Allende, I am impressed with the number of nonprofit organizations, or NGOs, providing important services in and around San Miguel and the engagement of the community as a whole in supporting them; however, like many people I have met, I have found it difficult to learn about the various organizations and how to get involved. So I was excited to learn that San Miguel de Allende has a local chapter of 100+ Who Care, formerly 100 Women Who Care.  100+ Who Care SMA is to on a mission to expand their reach in the San Miguel community by growing the membership and increasing fund-raising efforts so they can have a larger impact on local nonprofits.

The concept of the 100+ Who Care giving circle began in 2006 in the US and today there are more than 700 chapters or giving circles around the globe.  The 100+ Who Care SMA chapter was started by Susan Page and Jody Feagan 14 years ago and is now led by Director, Mary Norquist. The San Miguel de Allende chapter has distributed over $4,050,000 pesos to local organizations since its inception.  The structure is simple, members commit to contributing 1,000 pesos each quarter, which is collected at the meeting or can be dropped off prior at specified locations, and then distributed to an organization at the meeting. Meetings and decisions are intentionally quick and provide significant donations to local nonprofits.

100+ Who Care SMA holds quarterly meetings that are open to all, “If you are in San Miguel de Allende full-time, part-time or just visiting, if you walk or you drive, you are welcome to attend a meeting” says Mary.

Each gathering provides an opportunity to meet new, like-minded individuals who care about the community and to support a local organization. The meetings last two hours, the first for socializing and networking and the second to highlight the local nonprofit community.

The organization chosen for the previous quarter has ten minutes to present updates on funded programs or projects. Afterwards, three organizations are randomly selected to present their services, upcoming projects, and volunteer opportunities. Then members vote by secret ballot on which organization to support.

The nonprofits are previously vetted, ensuring funds go to verified organizations serving the San Miguel community. Mary formalized a partnership program through which local businesses can support the nonprofits by making a quarterly commitment to 100+ Who Care SMA and in return the business receives recognition at the meetings, in the 100+ Who Care SMA newsletter, on the website and through general promotion with the membership.

Current eligible organizations include: Alma, Amigos de Animales, A.C, Amor Del Bueno, Aprendiendo Juntas, Audubon Society de México, Caminos de Agua, Casa Hogar Corazón Valiente San Miguel, A.C., Casita Linda, Centro de Ecologia y Economia Sustenable SMA (Tikkun Center), Centro Educativo Valle Las Nubes, Centro Infantil de Los Angeles (Casa de los Angeles / CILA), Cuerpo de Bomberos de San Miguel de Allende A.C., El Charco del Ingenio, Botanical Gardens, El Deseo de Rosey SMA, Inc. dba Rosey’s Wish, Equinoterapia SMA, Escuela de Educacion Especial de San Miguel de Allende, A.C., Exploradores y Emprendedores de San Miguel de Allende, A.C., Feed The Hungry, Festival de Musica de Camara, A.C., Fundacion Comunitaria Don Diego, A. C., Fundacion de Apoyo Infantil, A.C., Fundacion Vamos México (CRISMA), Hospice Care Mitigare, Jovenes Adelante, La Biblioteca Publica, A. C., Latin American Relief Fund / ABBA House, Libros Para Todos, Mujeres En Cambio SMA, Ninos con Autismo, A.C., Ojala Ninos, A.C., Patronato Pro Ninos, Pro Musica Youth Orchestra (PYMO), Ranchero Pandillero (a project of CASA), Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende – Midday, Centro Indígena Huichol, A.C., "Huichol Center", So Others May Eat (SOME)

To learn more, please attend thenext meeting on July 20th, at theMarriott Clevia Hotel, Josefina Orozco No. 6, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you know of an organization that is not on the list and would like to participate or if you would like to join the giving circle, please contact Mary by email at 100pluswhocaresma@gmail.com

You may also visit the website at www.100pluswhocaresma.org for additional information.