100+ Women Who Care North Palm Beach Florida
When Melody Spano first encountered the 100+ Women Who Care giving circle model, she immediately recognized its potential to change how women engage with philanthropy. In 2012, she learned about the concept as it was gaining traction in Michigan and Chicago. Her cousin Pam was involved with the Chicago chapter, and after learning more, Spano was drawn to the model’s simplicity and effectiveness. Women coming together, pooling resources, and supporting local nonprofits in a direct and meaningful way felt both manageable and powerful.
Melody Spano (left) and Geri Glynn (right)
100+ Women Who Care - South FL: 100womenwhocaresouthflorida.org
That vision became reality on November 12, 2012, when 100+ Women Who Care South Florida officially launched.
The first meeting was held in a small conference room at the Westin Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Supported by close friends and co-founder Beth Azor, Spano welcomed about 30 women and introduced the concept of collective giving. Members would meet quarterly, nominate local nonprofits, listen to presentations from three finalists, and vote on which organization would receive the group’s donation.
While she hoped the idea would resonate, Spano never imagined the growth that would follow. That initial gathering laid the foundation for what would become five vibrant chapters across South Florida, including Broward, Jupiter, Tequesta, Miami Beach, North Palm Beach, and South Palm Beach.
At the heart of the organization is a model designed to remove barriers to giving. Each member contributes a minimum of $100 per quarter, and because the organization is entirely volunteer-run, 100 percent of every donation goes directly to the selected charity. There are no membership fees, administrative costs, or overhead.
This structure has proven especially powerful for women who want their giving to be transparent, efficient, and impactful. By focusing on underfunded, grassroots nonprofits, the organization provides both financial support and visibility to groups that are often doing extraordinary work with limited resources.
One of the most compelling examples of the model’s impact came during a North Palm Beach Chapter meeting. Annie’s Choice, a local nonprofit founded by Pamela Nagel, was selected as the fourth quarter grantee after a heartfelt five-minute presentation. That single hour of collective giving set off a chain of events that led to additional grants through the Grapevine platform, including a $2,000 award from the Next Door Foundation and eligibility for a $10,000 national bonus grant. With a potential $5,000 matching grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the total impact could exceed $27,000, making it the largest single grant awarded by the chapter.
Stories like this highlight why Spano believes so strongly in collective giving. A small, consistent commitment from many women can create life-changing outcomes for local organizations.
Stories like this highlight why Spano believes so strongly in collective giving. A small, consistent commitment from many women can create life-changing outcomes for local organizations.
In addition to founding the South Florida organization, Spano has directed the North Palm Beach Chapter since 2017. In preparation for the chapter’s continued growth, Mary Hart will step into the role of Director beginning in January 2025, with Spano remaining actively involved on the Steering Committee. Each chapter across South Florida is led by dedicated directors and committees who share a deep commitment to local impact.
The organization continues to evolve, including hosting events at PGA National Members Club, further strengthening connections within the community. Beginning in January, the South Palm Beach Chapter will merge into the North Palm Beach Chapter, creating a unified Palm Beach County presence.
What has remained constant is the mission. The simple idea of 100 women each giving $100 has proven to be both scalable and transformative. When the South Florida chapters first launched, there were only about 30 chapters nationwide. Today, through the 100+ Women Who Care Alliance, there are more than 900 chapters across the United States and internationally.
Members often share that the experience changes how they view philanthropy. Giving becomes accessible rather than intimidating, flexible rather than demanding, and deeply connected to the community they call home.
Reflecting on her journey, Spano says the greatest lesson has been the power of women working together with purpose. What began as a simple idea has become a movement that continues to grow one hour, one meeting, and one community at a time.
Since 2012, 100+ Women Who Care South Florida has raised approximately $2.5 million for nearly 200 local charities, proving that collective giving can create lasting change.
Women interested in learning more or getting involved can visit www.100womenwhocaresouthflorida.org or reach out directly to Melody Spano at Mspano@100womenwhocaresouthflorida.org.
When asked to sum up the impact in one sentence, Spano’s answer remains clear and heartfelt.
When women come together with purpose, extraordinary things happen.
