100+ women to join together for a good cause in Itasca County

GRAND RAPIDS — The concept is simple: Get at least 100 women who will each give $100, and one local nonprofit receives at least a $10,000 donation.

The concept isn't new; it has been happening across the country, including Northern Minnesota. This is the first time it is being tried in Itasca County.

Lisa Randall and Mary Ives are two members of the steering committee planning the event set for Monday, May 5, at Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids. They were recent guests on the KAXE Morning Show.

"We have a lot of small nonprofits, and if they are spending all their time fundraising, they don't have time to focus on their mission, and that's what we want them to do," Ives said.

"So many times nonprofits receive grants or donations that have some restrictions to them, and they're only allowed to spend them on certain things," Randall added.

"This kind of a donation is not only unrestricted, and they can use it where the greatest need is, but it can also serve as match dollars to additional grants that they're looking for."

Each attendee will donate $100, and all may nominate a local nonprofit to win the combined donations.

Three nonprofits will be drawn at random, and a representative from those groups will have up to five minutes to explain who they are and what they would be able to do with the money raised. Then, everyone in attendance will cast their votes, and one nonprofit will receive the combined donations.

If 100 women attend, that means $10,000. However, Ives and Randall are hopeful that more than 100 women will show up. The more women who donate, the larger the sum for the winning nonprofit.

A recent, similar event in Bemidji raised $17,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with free light appetizers and a cash bar. If you would like to donate but are unable to attend in person, you can contribute through the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation.