Founded in 2006 by

Karen F. Dunigan

Karen F. Dunigan always found it interesting that one of her most meaningful ideas began with something as simple as baby beds.

In 2006, during a business lunch in Jackson, Michigan, executive leadership from the Center for Family Health shared a growing concern. Due to state funding cuts, new mothers with limited resources did not have safe sleeping environments for their newborns. Families were doing what they could. Some used dresser drawers. Some placed infants in boxes. The need was urgent and very real.

Karen listened carefully. She asked questions. She wanted to understand the scope of the problem.

After completing the Ella Sharp Museum five million dollar capital campaign, she was not planning another major fundraising effort. But when she learned that 300 baby beds were needed, totaling ten thousand dollars, she began thinking about a different approach.

How do you raise ten thousand dollars quickly without a lengthy campaign?

Her answer was simple. Invite one hundred women who could each give one hundred dollars.

On November 15, 2006, at 5:30 pm at Daryl’s Restaurant, those women gathered. They listened to the need. They wrote their checks. In less than forty five minutes, more than twelve thousand dollars was raised. Enough to provide safe baby beds for families in Jackson.

What began as one gathering became a movement.

continues.

A legacy that

Karen passed away on April 15, 2014. While she is no longer with us, her vision continues to guide this organization.

Karen served the City of Jackson as Mayor from 2009 to 2011. She was a respected real estate professional, an active board member for numerous community organizations, and a tireless advocate for local causes. She believed deeply in showing up, giving generously, and strengthening the place she called home.

The model she created remains unchanged. Women gather four times a year. Each gives one hundred dollars. A local nonprofit is selected. The funds stay in Jackson County.

Today, there are hundreds of 100 Who Care chapters across the United States and around the world, all inspired by that first gathering in Jackson.

Here in Jackson, we continue the tradition Karen started, meeting four times a year and supporting local nonprofits through collective giving.

Individually, each gift matters. Together, they become something greater.

You can learn more about other chapters worldwide by visiting the 100 Who Care Alliance.

One Mission

What We Believe In

At 100+ Women Who Care Jackson, we believe that consistent generosity creates meaningful impact.

By gathering quarterly and committing one hundred dollars each, we collectively contribute more than ten thousand dollars at every meeting to a local nonprofit selected by our members.

Since 2006, more than one million dollars has been given back to organizations serving the Jackson community.

The structure is simple. The commitment is steady. The impact is local.

The 100+ Who Care Alliance

The 100 Who Care Alliance was formed by four chapter leaders who wanted to create a way for chapters to share ideas and learn from one another.

Because chapters operate in different communities and regions, the Alliance helps connect leaders who may never meet in person but share the same purpose. It provides a space to exchange best practices, maintain an updated master list of chapters, and support the continued growth of this grassroots giving model around the world.

Chapters are free to operate independently and adapt the structure to meet the needs of their communities. The concept remains simple, impactful, and locally driven, just as Karen envisioned.

To explore chapters around the world, visit  www.100whocarealliance.org