SHELBY — Former Shelby Foundation President Cheryl Schumacher established the Women’s Fund 15 years ago.
In 2017, Theresa Roth, chair of the board at that time, aspired to do more for women in the community by elevating the Women’s Fund.
The Shelby Foundation decided to host a women’s forum to spark discussion about needs of the community and where to align its focus.
Born from this conversation was 100 Women for Shelby, an initiative to bring women together who share a mutual goal of enriching and strengthening their community.
Carrie Kemerer, executive director of The Shelby Foundation, said in its first year around 2018, the initiative had about 110 members.
“It has grown exponentially,” she said Monday. “Last year we ended with 186 members.”
A rising number of members raised the thought to reflect this growth through the initiative’s name — now known as 100+ Women for Shelby.
Kemerer said it reflects that 100 members is in no way the stopping point for membership.
“There’s no cap,” she said in regards to how many may join. “That’s why we added the plus to 100+ Women for Shelby.”
Membership is open to all who care to join. There is an annual fee of $100.
Monthly socials, free admission to professional lectures and a members-only annual reception are just a few of the perks which come with a membership.
Annual membership fee fuels community impact
Of members’ $100 annual fee, $75 goes toward grant funds which the foundation awards annually to local non-profit organizations which serve women and children.
The other $25 is put into the Women’s Fund endowment to allow it to keep growing, Kemerer said.
In 2024, funds raised through 100+ Women for Shelby membership dues were awarded as grants to five different organizations.
Since 2018, more than $20,000 has been awarded to local non-profits.
Awarded funds have gone toward things like hygiene products, back-to-school readiness, teacher resources, anti-bullying education, domestic violence prevention, babysitting courses, Girl Scout programs, positive behavior reinforcement incentives and bereavement support.
“As we have grown, so has our impact,” Kemerer said. “We are truly able to connect with people to help them give back to the community in areas that they are passionate about.”
End-of-year push
The Shelby Foundation has two grant cycles each year; spring and fall.
When memberships began coming in for the 100 Women for Shelby initiative in 2018, the foundation launched its first Women’s Fund grant cycle.
“The deadline for that (Women’s Fund grant cycle) is Jan. 31,” Kemerer said. “Local non-profits who are serving women and children can apply specifically for that grant cycle.”
The foundation is taking a unique approach to this year’s Giving Tuesday by keeping it open for about 45 days and aligning it with it’s membership drive for 100+ Women for Shelby.
It launched the week of Thanksgiving and remains open until the end of the year.
Anyone who joins before the end of 2024 will have their $100 membership fee matched by the foundation, up to $10,000.
On Monday, Kemerer said 45 new members have joined since Nov. 24.
“It’s open to everybody and anybody who wants to see help given to women and children,” she said.