Frequently Asked Questions

How do charities get considered for support?

Simple! Each member of 100 REALTORS WHO CARE Waterloo Region (100RWC) is eligible to nominate one local charity of their choosing ahead of each meeting.  Then we will draw 3 of the charities from the "hat" for each meeting.  The 3 charities will do a 10 minute presentation, and the members in attendance will vote immediately after the presentations.  The charity with the most votes will receive $9,500 (95% of the total), and the runner up will receive $500 (5% of the total).  Note, even though the charities that are voted 2nd and 3rd choice receive less funding, they can still benefit from the exposure each one gains from this opportunity. These charities may also gain some volunteers and/or donations from members who are moved by their presentation who may not have known about them before!  Some of our members may join to learn more about our community and the local charities, so this is a great way to spread the word!

Which charitable organizations are eligible for consideration by the group?

In order to be considered at a meeting, the organization must be:

· Based in Waterloo Region (and/or able to direct our funds directly to local projects)

· A registered charity

· Eligible to provide tax receipts for donations

We would support national organizations, only under the agreement that our funds would stay here in Waterloo Region.

Who can nominate a charity?

Only members of 100 REATLORS WHO CARE Waterloo Region can nominate a charity. Any member who has kept up with their contributions can submit one charitable organization ahead of each meeting for consideration.

What is the deadline for nominating a charity?

The deadline for completing our online Charity Nomination Form is at least two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting date.

Can I nominate more than one charity at a time?

No. In order to keep a level playing field and give each member an equal chance at having their charity chosen for consideration, members are limited to having only one charity in the hat at any given time.

Can I change my charity nomination?

Yes, you can! If for any reason you wish to change your charity nomination, just inform us by email at 100realtorswhocarewaterloo@gmail.com as well as filling out a new Charity Nomination Form.  We will remove the previous nomination from the system, freeing you up to nominate another charity. 

Do I have to nominate a charity?

Nomination of a charity is a privilege of membership, not an obligation. You may come to the meetings simply to vote and make your donation, but please consider more actively supporting one of the many worthy causes that abound in our city by making a nomination.

Who presents on behalf of the charity?

The presenter can be a representative from the charity, and/or a member of 100 REALTORS WHO CARE Waterloo Region. 

How is the organization that receives the group donation chosen?

Provided the Charity Nomination Form is filled out at least two weeks in advance of a meeting, and it has been vetted and approved, the nominated charity will be eligible for the draw. The organizing committee will draw three different charities approximately one week in advance, and the nominating member will be notified, giving them (or their charity) time to prepare their presentation.

At the meeting, after the opening remarks, the three charities being considered will be announced, and the nominating member or charity will be asked to make a short, simple presentation (approx 10 min) in favour of their charity. The membership in attendance then cast their votes.  At this time, the program and meetings are being offered in person only.  

If your charity is second or third place in the vote, you are welcome to follow the same procedure at the next meeting for an opportunity for a different choice.  After 1 year, the second and third place charities are eligible to be drawn again for another chance at the big donation.  If your charity IS chosen, you are then free to nominate another one in the future!  We encourage all our members to participate by submitting the names of local, needy, charitable organizations they would like to help.

Can a friend vote on my behalf if I can’t attend a meeting?

No! Only members in attendance are eligible to vote. The vote is based on the power and passion of the presentations being made, and what will resonate with each of us after hearing the presentations is a very personal choice. 

When should I make my donations? 

Ideally, when you submit your commitment form, you would send an e-transfer for the full year donation ($400) to 100realtorswhocarewaterloo@gmail.com Then each year thereafter, you would also voluntarily (without being solicited again!) do another $400 e-transfer prior to the 5th meeting and so on.  This would be the easiest for the volunteers administratively.  However, if you prefer to make your donations one at a time for each meeting, then you would e-transfer $100 at the time you submit your commitment form, and each quarterly donation of $100 would be due ideally 2 weeks prior to each meeting.   

When is a charity eligible to be nominated again after it has been chosen and presented at a meeting? 

A chosen organization is eligible for re-nomination after three years have passed. Check out our Charities page for an up-to-date list of the charities we have donated to, and when the donations were made.

How do I make my donation if I cannot attend a meeting?

If you cannot attend a meeting, you are still obligated to make that meetings' donation to the winning charity  So, if you did not already make the full annual contribution up front, you should still simply make an e-transfer to the 100realtorswhocarewaterloo@gmail.com account, and it will then be allocated appropriately according to the vote of those members in attendance, and you will still receive your tax receipt accordingly. 

Can I just send the donation to the charity myself, or go through the charity’s online donation system?

While this is a better option than not sending a donation at all, we ask that you please send your donation through us, so that we can track your donations and you will remain a member in good standing, and eligible for attending meetings, submitting charities and voting at future meetings.

The goal of 100RWC is to make a large donation on behalf of the whole group. We want to be able to support this endeavour and give $10,000+ dollars at a time to make a large impact in our community, with each member’s donation being part of the larger donation. This is the power of joining forces!

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes! Only registered charities will be sponsored by the group to ensure that our donations are going to legitimate organizations. Tax receipts for donations will be issued directly by the charitable organization.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Your tax receipts will come from the winning charity of each meeting, not necessarily the charity you voted for.  This is the concept of pooling our funds to the winning charity each meeting. 

P.S. At some point in the future, IF our membership supports the idea, we may consider having one meeting per year where the charities do not have to be registered, and where, therefore, tax receipts would not be given. However, this is just a “future” idea, if members would like to allow legitimate non-registered causes/people a chance to meet their goals as well. It may be too complicated for us to “vet” non-registered charities though – so, at this point, we will only be supporting registered charities. If we get strong enough interest from our membership to begin including non-registered charities, it is something we will consider, if we can figure out logistics that would be satisfactory and agreeable to the membership.  

Does any of my donation go to administration costs of 100 Realtors Who Care?

Absolutely not! 100RWC is organized and operated entirely by volunteers. 100% of the money raised at our meetings goes directly to the selected organizations!

Does any of my donation go to administration costs of the chosen charity?

Some charities do have admin costs.  Prior to their presentation, the charities presenting are encouraged to include the organization’s administrative cost ratio (if there is one) in their presentation for the members’ consideration when voting. Also, there will be a brief Q and A after each presentation, and before the vote, so members are welcome to ask any further info on this or any other details about the charity.

How do we learn of the impact of our donations?

Each charity that is selected to receive our group’s largest donation will be invited to a subsequent meeting to express their thanks and to comment on how our donation was spent and the impact that was made.

How long do the meetings last?

Meetings last no longer than 60 minutes - they are designed to be short and efficient. We do allow time before and after meetings for optional socializing and networking. Please arrive early to the meetings, to allow time to register/get settled, and so that you can enjoy the comradery of the other members, and so that we can start the meetings right on time. 

You are also welcome to stay and chat after the meeting if you like (not required though!) This framework is designed to take a minimum amount of your time, unless you choose otherwise!

Can I bring a friend to the meeting?

Of course you can! We are always seeking realtors who care! However, in order to vote they will need to sign a Commitment Form and become a member. Otherwise, they are free to observe and contribute a donation if they like.

What do you do with my personal information?

100RWC collects your personal information (including name, address, email address, phone number) strictly for the purpose of maintaining our membership list and contacting you about important chapter events. Your name and address are supplied to the chosen charity for the purposes of issuing a tax receipt only.

The chosen charity agrees to not use your information for further solicitation, and to not share any of your information with any third party, except for tax purposes. 100RWC will not sell, give or otherwise share your personal information without your express consent, unless required by law.

How long does my membership last?

When you sign a Commitment Form, we ask for an original commitment of one year. At the end of that year, we continue to list you as a member until you inform us otherwise. If at any time you wish to withdraw from 100RWC, just let us know and we will remove you from our contact list. But we hope you’ll join and stay with us indefinitely, as there are always people who could use a hand, right here in Waterloo Region.