Inside 100 WWC East Tennessee Foothills’ Growing Giving Circle

When a handful of retired professionals in East Tennessee asked themselves, “Are we going to let 100 Women Who Care fall apart?” they didn’t just answer the question. They reignited a movement.

Before the pandemic, their Giving Circle had been a vibrant space for connection and impact, with women coming together regularly to pool resources and strengthen their community. But when Covid halted gatherings, the momentum stopped, and the meetings never restarted. For a while, the group’s presence faded into the background. Then, in the most ordinary of ways, a casual conversation among friends sparked something new. They wondered aloud if their chapter’s story was really meant to end there. With encouragement from the original organizers and a shared belief in the power of coming together, they chose to breathe new life into the Giving Circle and begin again.

Since relaunching in late 2022, 100 Women Who Care – East TN Foothills has grown from 78 to more than 200 members, channeling over $275,000 to local nonprofits. Their Giving Circle shows how collaboration, community, and compassion can create lasting impact.

We reached out to their leadership team—Ann, Mary Ann, and Susan—to spotlight 100 Women Who Care – East TN Foothills Giving Circle and highlight the power of women giving together.

Meet the Co-Leaders

With three co-leaders and a 12-member guiding team, 100 Women Who Care – East TN Foothills thrives on a collaborative leadership model where every woman contributes her skills, ensuring sustainability, shared purpose, and meaningful change.

Ann is a retired IT project manager with 35 years of experience in various IT roles. Although raised in the UK, she loves Tennessee and enjoys a busy retirement, sometimes wondering how there was ever time to work! What initially enticed her to join a Giving Circle was the concept of collective giving. Seeing the ongoing impact to the community and a sense of pride in being a part of the group has kept her committed to 100 Women Who Care of East TN Foothills. Ann also volunteers at a local nonprofit in addition to spending time with family and friends, travelling and playing golf.

Mary Ann is a retired university professor who dedicated more than 30 years to teaching and mentoring students. She has always believed that engaging with others is the key to staying young in spirit. After retirement, she found a new sense of purpose leading 100 Women Who Care East TN Foothills. Beyond her enjoyment of community service, Mary Ann treasures her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend. She also volunteers with a nonprofit close to her heart. To stay active and energized, she enjoys golf, pilates, kayaking, and swimming.

Susan is a retired clinical psychologist who worked in private practice and university and hospital settings beginning in 1983. Through her work, she developed a deep appreciation for the vital, yet often underfunded, efforts of nonprofits in her community. In 2016, she joined a local 100WWC Giving Circle and, after retiring and relocating, was inspired to help establish the model in her new counties. In addition to her involvement with 100WWC, Susan volunteers with her local public library making deliveries to homebound patrons and selling books on EBay to raise money for the library. She also values time with family and friends, traveling, fitness classes, boating, and riding her jet ski.

Q & A with 100 Women Who Care – East TN Foothills Co-Leaders

Q: What inspired you to restart the Giving Circle in your community?

Susan: We were originally inspired by a nearby group of young educators. Their meetings were both memorable and meaningful, and they opened our eyes to the needs right here in East Tennessee. When the original group went quiet after Covid, we asked ourselves, “Are we really going to let this die?” With the blessing of those first organizers, we relaunched in November 2022.

Q: Who makes up your membership today?

Ann: Our group has grown quickly, with more than 200 women strong now! Many of us are retired, but what unites us is the desire to give back and stay engaged in meaningful ways. We often say this is a circle for women who believe in the power of collaborative giving, want every dollar to go directly to nonprofits, and are eager to connect with others while learning about organizations making a difference locally.

Q: What does a typical meeting look like?

Mary Ann: We’re intentional about making meetings efficient and inspiring. We stick to one hour. Three nonprofits present, and we always invite a past recipient to share how our funds made an impact. Then we vote, present the big check, and celebrate together. Many members say it feels like a “fun night out,” which we love hearing.

Q: How does your Giving Circle support sustainability and leadership?

Susan: We have a strong guiding team of 12 women, each contributing her own expertise through roles such as: Treasurer, Meeting Coordinator, Nonprofit Coordinator, Grapevine Administrator, Marketing & Communications, Facebook Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Graphics Coordinator and Continuity Coordinator & Sponsor Liaison.

Together with our three co-leaders, this collaborative model ensures responsibilities are shared so no one feels overwhelmed. It truly takes a village, and that’s what keeps this Giving Circle thriving.

Q: Can you share more about your impact so far?

Ann: As of August 2025, we’ve supported 36 nonprofits across two rural counties. Each winning nonprofit receives nearly $20,000, and thanks to a matching grant opportunity, many end up with closer to $25,000. In total, our circle has given more than $275,000 in just a few years. It’s humbling and exciting to see what we can accomplish together.

Q: Why did you choose to use Grapevine, and how has it supported your Giving Circle experience?

Mary Ann: We chose Grapevine because we could see its potential to truly support our Giving Circle. While we knew some members might find the transition challenging, the benefits quickly outweighed any concerns. Grapevine makes giving seamless and accessible, with over half of our members now set up on recurring credit card donations. It also creates space for everyone’s voice to be heard, even for those who cannot attend meetings in person, thanks to its absentee voting feature. By combining these tools with the support we offer members, Grapevine has helped us grow participation and build a stronger, more connected Giving Circle.

Q: What advice would you give to women thinking about joining?

Mary Ann: Come to a meeting as a guest and see for yourself. You’ll feel the energy in the room. This is about more than writing a check, it’s about belonging to a community of women who care deeply about where we live and who want to see our neighbors thrive.

Join the Movement

The women of 100 Women Who Care – East TN Foothills prove that generosity and connection can transform communities. If you’re ready to be part of something meaningful, learn more or join them on Grapevine. And if you’re outside of East Tennessee, you can explore Giving Circles on Grapevine near you and find a community that matches your passion for giving.