The 100 Who Care Alliance Leadership Conference took place in Grand Rapids this past weekend, marking the first time this international event has ever been hosted in Michigan. The giving circle movement itself began in Jackson, Michigan, in 2006 and has since grown to more than 800 giving circles worldwide.
The 100 Women Who Care of Oceana County steering team of Gina Ferwerda, Deana Fox, Tammy Carey, Amy LaBarge, and Beth Snider attended the conference as volunteers, representing their local chapter. Ferwerda also served as host of the event and, following the conference’s success, formally accepted a position on the Board of Directors for the national 100 Who Care Alliance. "It is an honor to represent Michigan — where the movement first began — on this national board, which was also the theme of this year’s conference," Ferwerda said.
As part of the programming, attendees nominated Michigan nonprofits for donations. Oceana County nonprofit Forward Human Trafficking was awarded $500 to further its mission, and an Ottawa County nonprofit also received $500. In addition, a Kent County nonprofit was presented with a $10,000 donation.
"We were also proud to see local representation on the agenda itself. Tammy Carey spoke in a session on Community Foundations, sharing valuable insights and showcasing the role of the Oceana County Community Foundation in supporting collective giving," Ferwerda went on to explain. "Overall, the conference was a meaningful opportunity to connect with leaders from across the country and around the world, while highlighting the important philanthropic work happening right here in West Michigan. We were honored to represent Oceana County and to showcase the growing impact of the giving circle movement."
