In The Lorax, Dr. Seuss uses the character called the Onceler to issue a call to action. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not,” the protagonist explains to the reader.

Danielle Hall, Krista Hall, Maribeth Knueve and Susie Strauss took that idea and multiplied it. The resulting product is The 100 Strong, a charitable organization the four women founded to support local nonprofits.

Danielle and Krista see Susie as their aunt, while Maribeth—though a lifelong friend—has always been family to them. “We are a family in every sense of the word,” Danielle says. Over the decades, their connection has only grown stronger as they’ve celebrated marriages, welcomed children, marked career milestones, and stood by one another through life’s ups and downs.

The inspiration for The 100 Strong came in the wake of a life-changing event. “In 2021, our family lost Susie’s daughter, Victoria, in a tragic car accident,” says Danielle. “The loss was devastating and reshaped our lives in ways we never could have anticipated.”

To honor her daughter’s memory, Susie founded the Victoria Strauss Foundation, which remains active today. Victoria had dreamed of opening a women’s wellness center—one that would unite resources, care, and support to empower women in meaningful, lasting ways. Danielle and Krista worked alongside Susie to carry that vision forward.

The Victoria Strauss Foundation was then nominated by a similar women’s giving circle in Florida. As the women learned more about the group and its impact, they felt inspired to bring the concept home to Ohio. “We chose to create The 100 Strong as a way to continue Victoria’s vision of empowering women,” Danielle says.

The 100 Strong is a giving circle designed to make philanthropy accessible, intentional, and truly collective. The organization’s commitment is simple: one hour of time and a $100 donation, twice a year. “Many people want to be involved in philanthropy but may not have the time for ongoing commitments or the ability or desire to give large sums of money,” says Danielle. The 100 Strong removes those barriers to entry while still delivering real impact.

The name The 100 Strong is not a prescription. There is no cap on membership. If 100 members give $100, the result is a $10,000 collective gift. If the organization attracts 150 members, that equals a $15,000 gift. The impact continues to grow as the group grows. “We will never limit the number of women who want to participate,” says Danielle.

Members nominate organizations to receive support and make their funding decisions collectively after reviewing nominees and voting to select a recipient. There is no fundraising event or gala. “It is a structured, repeatable model that allows women to give together and create tangible impact twice a year, every year,” says Danielle.

The four women manage the enterprise, although there are no official titles. In effect, they act as stewards of the mission. “There are no titles, no tiers, and no expectations beyond showing up twice a year and participating with intention. Every member has an equal voice.  Every choice made for the group is made as a group.  We will always vote collectively” says Danielle.

The 100 Strong has long exceeded 100 members, but it continues to welcome anyone who wants to join forces. Membership is open to women who want to participate in collective giving and support local nonprofits. Community partners can support the organization by hosting meeting space or helping spread awareness.  

At its core, the organization welcomes women who want to create positive, local change. Perhaps most importantly, The 100 Strong gives women confidence that their time, voice, and contributions matter. The mission shows that a focused effort by a group making small financial donations can lead to large-scale local impact. 

With members of The 100 Strong caring a whole awful lot, things will get better for local nonprofit organizations.