Peterborough Child and Family Centres (PCFC), a non-profit organization that provides information and support to expectant parents, families with young children, and child care providers in the city and county of Peterborough, has received a $10,000 donation from 100 Women Peterborough.
The collective philanthropy group held its first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday (April 28) at Ashburnham Funeral Home & Reception Centre. At each of the group’s quarterly meetings, members hears presentations from three non-profit organizations randomly drawn from a larger list of organizations nominated by the group’s members. Each member commits to donating $100, and the organization that gets the most member votes receives the collective donations.
The three organizations that presented to 100 Women Peterborough at April’s meeting were New Stages Theatre Company, New Canadians Centre, and PCFC, with the latter chosen by majority vote to receive member donations.
A designated EarlyON Centre for the city and county of Peterborough, PCFC provides free, barrier-free programs for families, supporting parents from pregnancy through to when their children begin school. With no waitlists, no referrals, and no cost, their services are designed to meet families where they are offering prenatal education, play-based parent-child programs, breastfeeding support, and well-baby clinics.
The donation from 100 Women Peterborough will directly benefit pregnant mothers, babies, and young families in the region, ensuring that critical early-years support remains accessible to all who need it.
“This support is more than a donation — it’s an investment in healthier beginnings for children and stronger foundations for families,” said PCFC executive officer Nicola Lyle, who presented on behalf of the organization.
After eight years leading 100 Women Peterborough, the original founders are inviting members to step forward and form a new leadership team, whether individually or as a group who would be willing to share responsibilities.
“We are fully committed to ensuring a smooth and supportive transition, and will gladly provide guidance, tools, and insights to help set the next team up for success,” reads an email to members, noting that the intention is to bring “fresh ideas, renewed enthusiasm, and new perspectives to continue growing and evolving.”
Since its formation in 2018, 100 Women Peterborough has collectively donated over $270,000 to 29 local organizations.
Organizations that have received member donations include YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, Vinnies Peterborough, Hospice Peterborough, Peterborough Youth Unlimited, One Roof Warming Room, New Canadians Centre, Cameron House, Five Counties Children’s Centre, Casa De Angelae, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, Community Care Peterborough, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Community Counselling and Resource Centre, Peterborough Pregnancy Support Services, Heads Up for Inclusion, Kawartha Youth Orchestra, Peterborough GreenUP, Bridges Peterborough, YMCA Strong Communities, Homeward Bound Peterborough, Good Neighbours Care Centre and Food Bank, PARN – Your Community AIDS Resource Network, Camp Kawartha, the Teachers For Kids Foundation, Hearts 4 Joy, Camp Northern Lights, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough, Jude’s Joy, and Peterborough Child and Family Centres.
100 Women Peterborough is part of a growing collective philanthropy movement that began in the United States in November 2006, when Karen Dunigan of Michigan formed the “100 Women Who Care” group. After their first meeting, those women raised over $10,000 for the purchase of 300 new baby cribs for a local organization. The movement has grown over the past 19 years to include groups of men, women, youth, and children around the world, with hundreds of chapters in Canada alone.
For more information about 100 Women Peterborough, visit www.100womenptbo.ca.
