A men’s giving organization that pools quarterly $100 donations to support local charities celebrated a major milestone Tuesday evening, surpassing $100,000 in total donations to nonprofits serving Okaloosa and Walton counties.
- 100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast marked the achievement during its quarterly meeting at Craft Bar in Destin, where members awarded a $10,300 grant to Food For Thought, a local organization dedicated to feeding children in the community. The grant was enhanced by a $2,000 partial match from Grapevine and Nextdoor, bringing the total award to $12,400.
“We have put together a powerful group that can make a difference for the people, our neighbors, not just now, but in the future,” said Scott Rude, founder of 100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast. “I believe reaching $100,000 is a significant milestone, and I told the group that we’ll reach $200,000 much faster. We’re going to hit $500,000 within a couple of years.”
The organization operates on a simple but effective model: members donate $100 each quarter, and the combined funds are awarded to one selected charity during 90-minute quarterly meetings. The group has grown to more than 100 members since Rude founded it in 2021 after relocating to the area from Iowa.
Rude first experienced the 100 Who Care Alliance concept as a member of the Hawkeye chapter in Iowa. When he moved to Walton County in 2020, he discovered no similar men’s giving organization existed in the area, though Impact 100 For Women and 100 Women Who Care were already established.
- “I was really busy in my professional life when I was up there, so I didn’t have a lot of time,” Rude explained about his experience in Iowa. “What 100 Men Who Care allowed me to do was attend a quarterly meeting, contribute my hundred dollars, and hear presentations from local charities and community organizations that needed our support. We would vote on the recipient, and they would receive the collective donation.”
Working initially with Drew McDowell of Arbor Wealth, Rude launched the Emerald Coast chapter. Since then, has has continued to build the organization.
“We’ve experienced steady growth over time,” Rude said. “We’ve finally reached the point where we’re consistently awarding $10,000 grants each quarter. That’s what I was really hopeful of achieving, and I’m so glad we got there.”
The grant to Food For Thought will enable the organization to create 1,400 bags of food for children who need nutrition and don’t have adequate resources at home.
Since its founding, 100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast has supported 15 nonprofits throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties, including organizations helping children, veterans, the homeless, the uninsured and single mothers. Past recipients include the Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, which received $9,300, and organizations such as Defenders of Freedom Florida in Milton and Crossroads Center Inc. in Valparaiso.
- “There are so many needs in our community. We are proud to have supported great causes helping our children, our veterans, the homeless, the uninsured, and those needing a hand up and chance to get on their feet, like single mothers,” said Rude. “Reaching $100,000+ shows the power of collective giving and the heart of the men in our community.”
The group’s zero-overhead model ensures every donated dollar goes directly to the selected charity. The organization’s membership reflects the community’s diversity, bringing together men from all backgrounds and economic levels who contribute equally.
- “Everybody is equal. Everybody puts in a hundred dollars. I don’t care if you are a millionaire or if you’re the guy sitting at the service counter — you come, you give a hundred — you’re the same person,” Rude said. “And that’s the magic of this thing, is that we’re all in it together.”
The charity selection process is member-driven. Members nominate local organizations they know or have volunteered with, and Rude conducts an online poll through the group’s platform partner, Grapevine. The top three vote-getters present their cases to the members, which then select the recipient through what Rude describes as a process where members “ask some tough ones” during the question-and-answer session.
“What amazes me most is the unbelievable people and organizations we’re called on to support. Our members nominate these area nonprofits, we come together to hear their needs and make a contribution to help meet needs in our community,” Rude said. “We’re all busy, but this simple format gives us a way to make a real, local impact in just one hour every few months.”
The organization continues to seek new members to sustain its giving capacity as members come and go.
- “We’re always welcoming men who want to make a difference,” Rude said. “With people coming and going, we aim to keep our membership above 100 to continue delivering transformative grants.”
Recent candidates for the group’s support have included the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Emerald Coast Autism Center, and Crossroads Center, demonstrating the breadth of local organizations seeking assistance.
For those interested in joining, the time commitment is minimal. Members can attend quarterly meetings if they choose, but attendance is optional. The primary requirement is setting up the quarterly $100 donation.
“The most common objection I hear is ‘I just don’t have time for one more thing.’ And I tell them, ‘Perfect. You don’t have to worry about that. You can come to the meeting if you want, but attendance isn’t required,'” Rude said.
- Interested individuals can learn more here or contact Rude at 100mwcec@gmail.com or 319-325-1025.
100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast is a registered Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit and part of the global 100 Who Care Alliance, which includes more than 650 chapters worldwide.
“All you have to do is sign up and you are now part of the community. You are part of making a difference in your community, and that’s all it takes,” Rude said.
One Response
This is a great option for the man with little time to volunteer but who wants to help his community. You can find the organization at 100mwcec.com or email at 100mwcec@gmail.com or you may also sign up by finding us on grapevine.org