100+WWC and Democratized Philanthropy Thrive

The April 2026 Giving Circle granted ~$37,000 resulting in more than $867,000 in giving to 76 nonprofits since July 2018.

Door County, Wis. (May 7, 2026) – 100+ Women Who Care (100+WWC) Giving Circle hosted its 32nd quarterly Giving Event on Monday, April 27, 2026. Three nonprofits presented information about their community work. Then, members voted on the distribution of the awards.

The total monetary award granted at the Giving Event was approximately $37,000 from 447 members. For the first time, the voting resulted in a tie for the primary award. Crossroads at Big Creek and STRIDE – (Strengthening, Trust, Resilience, Instilling Independence, Discovering, Empowerment) will share 100+WWC’s Main Award. Each nonprofit will receive approximately $13,875. Congratulations to the Door County Therapy Dog Teams organization receiving the secondary award of approximately $9,250. Climate Change Coalition of Door County expressed appreciation for the January 2025 award and reiterated all the important work of this Door County nonprofit.

Samantha Koyen, Executive Director, Crossroads at Big Creek shared why Crossroads is important to Door County: “People do not support what they cannot experience. Environmental stewardship lessons and meaningful connections to nature are truly life‑changing. Crossroads creates those connections in ways that are welcoming, accessible, and deeply impactful. This award will support Crossroads in several meaningful ways. We will place better tools in the hands of our educators—such as field microscopes, creek sampling nets, and vision equipment—helping children more fully understand the natural world. We will fund our Trail Tale story walk along our ADA-accessible trail, where children can borrow books and experience nature through storytelling. We will also build a safer, more inclusive access along our North Bridge.”

Bob Shogren, Community Impact Coordinator for STRIDE and the United Way was thrilled and most grateful to have earned the support of 100+WWC for the school-based youth mental health services. “Nationally, there is 1 mental health service provider for 275 residents and in the state, there is 1 to 340. For youth, it looks more like 1 provider to 1,500 to 3,000. Today, there are more youth experiencing persistent sadness, depression and anxiety than ever before and limited mental health service providers. The work we do at the United Way of Door County through the STRIDE program helps to fill this gap by making mental health services for youth more accessible to Door County youth.”

Julie LaLuzerne, Door County Therapy Dog Teams Coordinator shared her passion: “The smiles and happiness our therapy dogs bring to people of all ages—truly brings me joy as well. Our nonprofit supports the Door County community by helping alleviate mental health challenges and loneliness, assisting students with reading, and helping de-escalate stressful situations. I volunteerbecause it keeps me connected to something meaningful. This award will help reduce the financial burden of sustaining our current programs and allow us to expand new ones.”

Tammie Grossman, 100+WWC member and Door County Therapy Dog Team Volunteer/nominator enthusiastically presented by saying, “Volunteering for nonprofits like 100+WWC and Door County Dog Therapy Teams is a meaningful experience because you learn so much about what makes Door County special.” The next scheduled 100+WWC Giving Event will be July 27, 2026, at the Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion, Egg Harbor. The selected nonprofits presenting information and organizational goals include Door County BRIDGES, Door County Secret Santa, and Door County Environmental Council. These nonprofits were randomly drawn from a hat populated with member-nominated, vetted, and qualified nonprofits. The nominating member and the nonprofit representative will present and answer questions prior to member voting.

New members and visitors are always welcome. To join this amazing local women’s group and increase the financial giving to the Door County community, visit 100wwcDoorCounty.org.