Giving Circle Donates $21,000 to BEAM Program
Members of 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon contributed to the displaced nonprofit that supports neurodivergent children.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy
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100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon donated $20,500 to the BEAM Program, and an anonymous $500 donation made through the Oregon Community Foundation brought the total to $21,000. BEAM, which helps neurodivergent children build confidence, self-regulation skills, and a love of learning, is displaced and searching for a new home after the Silver Rail Tragedy.
Why it matters
The contribution provides financial support to a nonprofit that has lost its space and is seeking a new location for its services. The giving circle, which has nearly 200 members, directs collective funds to local organizations in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties.
Since 2014, the giving circle has raised $921,625 for 55 Central Oregon nonprofits, and members have secured $71,400 in matching grants from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and anonymous donors through the Oregon Community Foundation. The combined total reaches $992,625.
The players
100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon
A women's giving circle that pools member contributions to fund local nonprofits in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, part of a national network of similar groups.
Oregon Community Foundation
A statewide philanthropic organization that manages charitable funds and facilitated the anonymous $500 donation to the BEAM Program.
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
A private foundation established by the family of Richard M. Schulze, the founder of Best Buy, that provided matching grants to the giving circle.
The details
Each member contributes $100 directly to the nonprofit selected at quarterly meetings, where members nominate organizations, hear three short presentations from randomly selected nonprofits, and vote on the recipient. The donation to BEAM was selected through this process.
Timeline
Since 2014: The giving circle has raised $921,625 for local nonprofits.
Monday, Dec. 7: The next 100+ Women Who Care quarterly meeting takes place, with networking at 5:15 p.m.
Philanthropy Model
Women's giving circles pool modest member contributions into collective grants, a structure this group uses to direct nearly $1 million including matching grants to Central Oregon nonprofits since 2014. The model lets members with limited individual budgets fund organizations collectively.
Residents who want to support local nonprofits can join or follow 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon, where each $100 membership contribution goes directly to a selected organization. The quarterly meetings are open for networking and nominations.
The takeaway
Pooled small donations can fund meaningful support for local organizations, particularly when nonprofits face sudden displacement. Members of the giving circle combine modest individual contributions into collective impact across three counties.
What happens next
The next 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon quarterly meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 7, with networking at 5:15 p.m.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in the Philanthropy section for Bend.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Source - Bend, Oregon.
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