SHELBY — A mission of The Shelby Foundation is to connect generosity with community need.
An annual tradition of the foundation supports that mission to the tune of more than $100,000. Community members are invited to attend its 11th annual fundraiser — An Evening with The Shelby Foundation: For a Brighter Tomorrow — on Sept. 20.
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Kehoe Center in Shelby and feature a cocktail hour, catered dinner, program, and both silent and live auctions. The proceeds will go directly back into the Shelby community.
Drawing nearly 300 guests each year, the event continues to raise more than $100,000 annually.
“Every year, it gets more and more exciting because people love the Shelby community,” said Carrie Kemerer, executive director of The Shelby Foundation, who has led the event
the last eleven years.
Funds raised from the event are reinvested directly into the Shelby area through grants and scholarships. Last year alone, hundreds of thousands of dollars were awarded to schools, nonprofits and students across the region.
“The proceeds we raise are unrestricted dollars that get poured right back into this
community through grants — whether that’s a major downtown revitalization project or
smaller, behind-the-scenes gifts to nonprofits doing important work,” Kemerer said.
This year’s event will also include the Visionary Award, which honors a local individual who has played a key role in driving the Shelby community forward.
The Shelby Foundation itself is continuing to breath new life into several historic downtown properties. Its vision is to rehabilitate these vacant properties into functional, vibrant spaces that support Shelby’s economic future.
‘Every dollar raised matters,’ says Kemerer
The Sept. 20 program will celebrate the past, present and future of The Shelby Foundation, including stories of impact, highlights from local grantmaking and a look ahead at upcoming initiatives.
The program will also feature catering by Buehler’s, live and silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle and online bidding platform so supporters can participate virtually.
Whether attending in person or bidding virtually, supporters can help the foundation continue its mission. A virtual bidding platform will be available, allowing donors near and far to participate from the comfort of home.
“This is an incredible event that benefits an amazing community,” said Kemerer. “We host this fundraiser because it’s fun, it’s meaningful, and it makes a real difference.
“Every dollar raised matters.”
Tickets and sponsorships are available now. Those who cannot attend in person can still participate by bidding on silent auction items or purchasing raffle tickets through the foundation’s virtual platform.
Reserve your seat or become a sponsor today at theshelbyfoundation.org.
About The Shelby Foundation
The Shelby Foundation is a charitable organization that supports local needs by awarding grants and scholarships to individuals and nonprofits. The foundation serves as a long-standing community pillar, helping ensure a stronger future for Shelby and surrounding areas through intentional, strategic philanthropy.
