Clio Group Helps Families and Local Charities Through Simple Idea: 100 People Giving 100 Dollars
The Clio based giving circle is proving that small donations from everyday people can create life changing support for local families.
A small grassroots effort in Genesee County is proving that local generosity can create big change. The group, 100 People Who Care Connecting in Clio, is a nonprofit giving circle that gathers community members four times a year to raise money for families and organizations in need. The concept is simple. Each member donates one hundred dollars per meeting, and the group votes on where the collective donation will go.
Click here to learn more about the group.
Board member Amy Moore said the chapter launched in March 2024 after her mother-in-law and a family friend learned about similar giving circles elsewhere and wanted to bring the model to Clio. The group now has around 40 to 45 members, with a goal of eventually reaching 100 members so they can donate ten thousand dollars each quarter. “Most of us are based right around Clio, so that’s where we wanted to focus our impact,” Moore said.
Jewel Roy, also a board member, explained that each meeting features three nominated nonprofits or families who present their stories. Members then vote on which one will receive that quarter’s donation. Past recipients have included the Humane Society, food pantries, local service organizations and individual families facing hardship. The group has already donated about twenty thousand dollars since forming.
Click here to donate to the group.
One of the most powerful moments came early on when the group helped a woman with terminal cancer fulfill her dream trip to the Upper Peninsula. “She unfortunately did pass away, but she made that memorable trip that changed her entire life,” Moore said. “We were so blessed to be able to give her that opportunity.”
Roy said the power of the group comes from simple math. “People don’t always think one hundred dollars can help somebody,” she said. “But one hundred dollars from forty people, or eventually one hundred people, can make a huge difference. You can change someone’s life in just one hour.”
The group also participates in local community events, including Clio’s trunk-or-treat, where they handed out candy and information to spread awareness. They say many organizations they support later choose to join the group.
Moore and Roy encourage anyone who wants to get involved to reach out, attend a meeting, or simply sit in to learn how the process works. Participation can be in person, through a proxy, or by email if someone cannot attend the meeting.
“We want more people to see that there really are good people out there,” Roy said. “There is need everywhere, and even small acts of giving can change lives.”