100 Women started with a car ride.

In 2013, Alicia Curtis and her friend Megan Anderson were driving back from a youth leadership workshop in regional WA when the idea came up. What if everyday women pooled a small amount each month and gave it away together? No wealthy benefactors required. Just a community of people who believed their money could do more together than alone.

In this first episode of Community Kind, Executive Officer Karen Brittain sits down with 100 Women Co-Founder Alicia Curtis to go back to where it all began. The spark, the first social media post that brought the founding committee together, and the moment they realised they were onto something.

Alicia talks about what collective giving actually means, why philanthropy got hijacked by the wealthy, and how a $300 annual contribution (roughly a coffee a week) can become part of something that has now gifted more than $1.69 million to women and girls in Australia and around the world.

Whether you've been a member for years or you're hearing about 100 Women for the first time, this is the episode to start with.

IN THIS EPISODE

• The car ride that started it all, and the book that changed how Alicia thought about women and giving
• Why collective giving puts philanthropy within reach of anyone, not just the wealthy
• The founding committee, the first social media post, and the buzz of possibility
• What $300 a year becomes when hundreds of women give together
• Grant stories: Earbus, Telethon Kids Institute, Zonta House, and projects in Cambodia
• Why 100 Women funds projects locally, nationally, and globally, and what privilege has to do with it
• How a Perth idea became a national giving community with a global reach

GUEST

Alicia Curtis, Co-Founder, 100 Women. Youth leadership advocate, social entrepreneur, and one of Australia's 100 Women of Influence. Alicia has spent her career challenging who gets to be a leader and what everyday people can achieve when they come together.

HOST

Karen Brittain, Executive Officer, 100 Women. Karen has been part of the 100 Women community since the very first grant round in 2014, when she worked at Zonta House Refuge Association, one of 100 Women's inaugural grant recipients.

ABOUT 100 WOMEN

100 Women is a national giving community with a global reach. Members across Australia contribute from $300 a year. Together, that becomes $200,000 or more each year, granted directly to grassroots organisations supporting women and girls in health, education, safety, and economic opportunity, here in Australia and around the world. Every member gets a vote on where the money goes. Since 2014, 100 Women has funded 49 projects and gifted more than $1.69 million to women and girls in need.

BECOME A MEMBER

If today's conversation has made you curious, we'd love to hear from you. Find out more at 100women.org.au

CONNECT WITH US

Website: 100women.org.au
Instagram: @100womenau
LinkedIn: 100 Women

Community Kind is produced by Linette Devigan. Hosted by Karen Brittain and Alicia Curtis. Filmed and edited by Olivia Spear, Silver Key Films. Recorded at The Pod @ Kaizen West, Perth.