SHELBY — Members of 100+ Women for Shelby gathered Monday evening at the Shelby Community and Senior Center for their annual End-of-Year Celebration, highlighting the impact of collective philanthropy and launching their 2027 membership drive.
The event featured presentations from representatives of area nonprofit organizations that have received Women’s Fund grants.
Nicki Strome of Cedarbrae and Brenda Foley of the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio detailed how the funding has aided their operations, programs, and the individuals and families they assist.
During the gathering, both Cedarbrae and the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio received surprise grants of $1,000 each to further support their ongoing programming, underscoring the fund’s continued civic investment.
Founded in 2018, 100+ Women for Shelby was created around a straightforward premise: assemble 100 women who each donate $100 annually to improve the local community.
The giving circle has since expanded beyond that initial goal, surpassing 200 annual members and distributing more than $50,000 in grants to area nonprofit groups. In addition to charitable funding, the organization hosts social gatherings, educational lectures, and networking events aimed at fostering member connections.
The group’s 2027 membership campaign is now open. The Shelby Foundation announced it will match up to $10,000 in membership contributions submitted by Dec. 31, 2026.
Annual dues are $100, and new participants are actively being welcomed. Those interested in joining or seeking further information can visit www.theshelbyfoundation.org/100women/.
A collective giving initiative operating under the Women’s Fund of The Shelby Foundation, 100+ Women for Shelby pools membership contributions to fund programs and organizations that assist women and children throughout Shelby and nearby communities.