When was 100+ Women Who Care Northern Virginia created?
100+ Women Who Care Northern Virginia was founded in Fall 2012.
What are the requirements for an organization to be nominated for a donation?
In order to be considered at a meeting, the organization must be based in the Northern Virginia area and serve the local population. It must be recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) nonprofit and in business for at least one year. National and international charities will not be considered unless its local chapter will be the recipient of the donation. See below about who can nominate and present a nonprofit.
What is a 501(c)(3) organization?
A 501(c)(3) organization is defined as being “organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational purposes, to foster national or international amateur sports competition, promote the arts, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.” Official documentation from the IRS is required to substantiate an organization’s claim of 501(c)(3) status.
Is my contribution tax deductible?
Yes, your contribution made payable to a 501(c)(3) organization is tax deductible. Checks are written directly to the local nonprofit organization and not to 100+ Women Who Care Northern Virginia. Tax deduction receipts will be sent directly to each member from the selected organization, or you can use your cancelled check as documentation of your contribution.
For those who donate with a credit card via our Donor Advised Fund, your donation is also tax deductible. The only difference is you will receive your tax deduction directly from them as they are a 501(c)(3), not the nonprofit we selected. This shields your personal information from the nonprofit. Donations made in this manner will be directed to the nonprofit when checks are distributed.
Some nonprofits follow IRS donation acknowledgement guidelines and do not provide written acknowledgement for gifts under $250, as the IRS allows your cancelled check as appropriate receipt. However, it is the policy of 100+ Women Who Care Northern Virginia to ask the nonprofit to provide written acknowledgement to its membership. Please contact your tax advisor or visit the IRS website for additional information.
How is the organization that receives the donation chosen?
Any member or team in good standing (i.e. you have registered and your donations are paid to date) can nominate a local nonprofit. The organizers of the meeting will collect the names of the organizations from the members as they arrive or as nominations are received in advance of a meeting.
Three organizations will be selected in a random drawing. The nominating member will be asked to give a short five-minute presentation as to why the organization should receive the donation and then participate in a five-minute Q&A session.
What if I cannot attend a meeting?
If you cannot attend a meeting you can do one of two things:
- You can send a blank, signed check made out for $100 with a trusted friend to the meeting or to one of the meeting organizers prior to the meeting (either of these methods is recommended and preferred). Your friend or the organizer will write the name of the charity that is chosen on the check and turn it in on your behalf.
- You can pay online as instructed by the group in their follow up email.
- The meeting organizer will send a post-meeting follow up to those not in attendance informing them of the quarter’s selected nonprofit recipient with instructions on how you can mail the check to them for inclusion in the group donation.
Can I just send the check to the charity myself?
We prefer your check be part of the larger group’s donation so it truly is an impactful gift going towards a particular program or service the nonprofit needs assistance with starting or sustaining. We also need to be able to track your donations so that you get credit for the donation and remain eligible for submitting charities and voting at meetings.
How long do the meetings last?
Meetings last for one hour. We try hard to finish promptly, to be respectful of your time.
Can I bring a friend to the meeting?
Of course! However, in order to vote, your friend will need to become a member prior to voting at the meeting.