100 Women Making a Difference
1 Charity ... 1 Hour ...
1 Big Blessing For Our Community
Donated to date...$288,925!!!
WHO WE ARE
100 Women Making a Difference is simply a group of women who gather 4 times per year to make a donation of $100 each to a local nonprofit organization. When these individual gifts are combined, they are amplified and become a powerful force for doing good work in Norwalk, OH & surrounding communities of New London, Greenwich, North Fairfield, Willard, Monroeville, Milan, Wakeman.100 Women Making a Difference is for you if:
You don’t have time in your busy life to volunteer but have been wanting to help those in need.
You can commit to one hour 4 times a year.
You want 100% of your donations to go directly to a local nonprofit.
You want to leverage your $100 donation to become a part of a larger amount of money by joining together with other women.
You would like to meet other women in our communities.
You are looking to volunteer or join a board but are unsure which nonprofit would be a good fit. Every meeting we will feature 3 nonprofits. Many are just getting started and your support would make a huge impact
We would love to have you join our 100+ members!
MEETING DATES
All meetings are from 6:30 - 7:30pm in the Art Gallery next to the Auditorium at Norwalk High School.October 8, 2025
February 11, 2026
April 8, 2026
July 8, 2026Norwalk High School
350 Shady Lane
Norwalk, Ohio 44857
CHARITIES SUPPORTED
February 11, 2026
The 100 Women Making a Difference group awarded funding to a group of teenagers who have spent a year raising money that they will then donate it all to non-profits.The total contribution likely will be about $15,000, making it the largest donation to the VOLUNTEEN! program in its 25-year history. The council raised about $2,400 last year to distribute through grants.Micah Sumpter, VOLUNTEEN! president and a junior at St. Paul High School, said he joined the program to “spend my time doing something that actually matters — giving to others."“After the money was awarded, I started thinking about how many more people we could help and how much more of a difference we could make,” he said.The program is self-funded and student-led, adviser Peggy Hintz said. Every high school student in Huron County can join the program if they are willing to devote the time and energy to planning and holding fundraisers, researching grant applications, interviewing grant applicants, and working through the decision of which programs to fund.The group has awarded 168 grants over the years.“This teaches them about philanthropy and to be volunteers,” Hintz said. “We want to raise them to be leaders with hearts for service.”Lydia Trost, VOLUNTEEN! treasurer and a junior at Norwalk High School, said serving on the council is an “incredibly special opportunity.” She said she was surprised to hear their group was chosen because “all three of us that had presented had worthy causes."“After a minute, I started thinking about all the good we could do with the money and how many more people we can reach and help,” she added.VOLUNTEEN! is accepting applications through April and then its council members will begin their research and interview process to choose grant recipients. For more information, call Hintz at 419-668-5467 or speak with a council member.
| Date | Winner | Considered |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Volunteen Youth Grantmaking Council of Huron County | Norwalk Arts Center, Rails to Trails |
| October 2025 | The Outlet in North Fairfield | Future Innovators, Norwalk Arts Center |
| July 2025 | Clothing Bank Norwalk | Norwalk Arts Center, Future Innovators |
| April 2025 | Riley's Angels | Firelands Community Cat Coalition, New London Faith Group |
| February 2025 | Huron County Imagination Library | Norwalk Arts Center, Lifewise Western Reserve |
| October 2024 | Enrichment Centers | Riley's Angels, New London Faith Group |
| July 2024 | Simon Acts! | Huron County Imagination Library, Artist Open Studio (AOS) |
| April 2024 | Love Grows Love | Future Innovators, Huron County Imagination Library |
| February 2024 | Julie Roth Memorial Foundation | Huron County Imagination Library, Love Grows Love |
| October 2023 | Answering the Call Together (ACT) | Love Grows Love, Calvin's Love |
| July 2023 | Norwalk Arts Center | Abigail Pregnancy Services, Grief Share |
| April 2023 | Riley's Angels | LifeWise Academy, Huron County Area Veterans Council |
| February 2023 | Artist Open Studio (AOS) | Norwalk Arts Center, Community Life & Innovation |
| October 2022 | Inspiration Station | The Firelands Historical Society, Calvin's Love |
| July 2022 | The Haven | When Pigs Fly, Norwalk Arts Center |
| April 2022 | InVest in Youth (IVY) | Riley's Angels |
| February 2022 | Clothing Bank of Norwalk Ohio | Piggyback Foundation, Cancer Tees Me Off! |
| October 2021 | Lake Erie Shores Blue Star Moms | Firelands Community Cat Coalition,Huron County Imagination Library |
NOMINATION CRITERIA
Please keep in mind that ALL organizations have to serve Norwalk or our surrounding communities. Also, the organization cannot qualify as a national or international affiliation, unless there is a local chapter serving the needs of Norwalk or surrounding communities. Use this sheet to ensure all pertinent information is presented. It is not required to use this form, but all the listed questions must be addressed in the presentation.
What is the name of the organization?
Where is the organization located? (Note: Organization must serve Norwalk or surrounding communities.
What is the mission of the organization?
What purpose does the organization serve? (Who? What do they do? How do they do it?)
How would the organization benefit from receiving the donation? How will the funds be used?
Who in the candidate organization is responsible for discharging funds? Are they a recognized as or affiliated with a 501(c)(3) (Note: This is a requirement for consideration.)
Solicitating for your nomination before the vote is discouraged.