100 Women Strong Mendocino Coast exceeds fundraising goal

MENDOCINO CO., 10/17/24 — The Mendocino Coast arm of 100 Women Strong has busted through its fundraising goal, again.

100 Women Strong Mendocino Coast is part of a global movement that supports local nonprofits through collective giving. The Mendocino Coast version asks 100-plus community members (women and men) to donate $100, either individually or as a group. Assuming the goal is met, one of three previously nominated nonprofits then receives a $10,000 grant. Any money raised over that amount is divided evenly between the other two groups.

Unlike many other fundraisers, 100 percent of the donations goes directly to the nonprofit organizations. Also, there are no strings attached as to how the money is used, giving recipients the leeway to figure how best to build up their organizations. This is a unique advantage: a museum may have millions in its acquisitions budget but no money to pay guards or keep on the lights.

On Wednesday, October 16, at Fort Bragg’s Eagles Hall, three local nonprofits – Circle of Horses, Gloriana Musical Theatre, and Pacific Environmental Education Center – each made a five-minute pitch to an enthusiastic audience, followed by a Q&A session. Audience members then voted for their choice. Votes were counted on the spot. Donated local wines, snacks and pizza helped make the event a celebration of impact-giving.

Then the winner – Circle of Horses, which provides therapeutic riding instruction to children and adults with physical or cognitive disabilities – was announced.

But there were no losers. Donations totaled more than $18,000, meaning that the other two groups will each receive over $4,000.

Circle of Horses Director Barbara Auerbach said that the money will help fund the costs of feeding and caring for the horses and continuing a summer program for at-risk youth. “Magic happens when we open the gates to our arena,” Auerbach said, telling the audience the story of a five-year-old victim of fetal alcohol syndrome who learned to tell the horse to “walk on” and identify colors a few weeks into his riding sessions.

The Gloriana Musical Theater will use its share for expanded class offerings, better funding for teachers, and increased scholarships for children and adults. Board member Carrie Fishman summed up the group’s mission: “Theater is a safe space for people who don’t fit in other places.”

Kylie Galliani, executive director of Pacific Educational Education Center, asked the audience to imagine what it would be like to be a Californian who has never seen a redwood tree or the Pacific Ocean. PEEC, located inside MacKerricher State Park, will use the money to continue to provide outdoor education programs to children.

100 Women Strong Mendocino Coast has held four fundraisers since its inception in early 2023. Wednesday’s haul will bring total distributions to over $84,000. Operational and underwriting support, including an account to manage and distribute the funds, are provided by the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. The Community Foundation is the “engine that helps make us run,” said Master of Ceremonies Jamie Peters-Connolly of Visit Mendocino County’s Tourism Commission.

Before the pitches began, the winning organization from the Spring 2024 event – Art Explorers, Inc., which operates an art studio for adults with disabilities in Fort Bragg – reported back on how the group has used the funds. Board member and vice president Erin Brazill said that the money has gone to “buying furniture that allows artists to come in and work” in ways that accommodate their needs, from an adjustable chair to padded, adult-size seats. She advised recipients to “take a minute and go slow” in thinking about how to best use the grant money.

Audience members also filled out nomination forms to choose the three contenders for the next gathering, to be held in Spring 2025. To be nominated, the nonprofit must be a 501(c)(3) organization in good standing, have existed for at least a year, and have a presence between Gualala and Westport on the Mendocino Coast.

Nonprofits who make their case to 100 Women Strong sometimes get an unexpected bonus, according to Community Foundation board member Holly Madrigal: “One of the best parts is that the nonprofits, even if they don’t win $10,000, get to share their stories,” which can lead to even more support.

The Community Foundation also underwrites 100 Women Strong Inland Mendocino, which started in 2019 and has raised more than $213,000 using the same model. Both Mendocino County groups were inspired by a similar “giving circle” in Lake County.

Audience members walking out seemed glad to have been part of it all. “That was awesome,” one said. “I’ve never been to an event like that,” another agreed.

More information on 100 Women Strong Mendocino Coast is available here.