Women’s Fund of The Shelby Foundation Grant

The Women’s Fund of The Shelby Foundation is a philanthropic initiative created to empower women in the Shelby, Ohio area by fostering their intellectual, physical, emotional, social, economic, and cultural development. Founded under the broader mission of The Shelby Foundation, which aims to build a legacy of community philanthropy, the Women’s Fund specifically focuses on supporting women of all ages through targeted grantmaking and community engagement. In 2018, the Fund launched its signature “100+ Women for Shelby” initiative, mobilizing local women to contribute financially and collaboratively to improve the lives of other women within the region. This annual membership effort generates funds that are then redistributed via grants aligned with the Fund’s mission and community priorities. The grants are intended to support programs that enhance the lives of women and girls, whether through new, expanded, or continuing services. Organizations applying must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or provide explanation if not. Each applicant is asked to provide details on the scope, goals, and financial breakdown of the proposed project, including its expected impact on women in both Shelby and the surrounding community. The application further requests disclosure of collaborative partners, sustainability plans, and whether the applicant will accept partial funding. Applicants must describe the anticipated immediate and lasting benefits for women and outline evaluation measures to assess the success of the initiative. Applications are due by January 31, 2026. The submission process requires downloading the application form, completing it, and returning it either by email to [email protected] or by mailing it to The Shelby Foundation’s office. Along with the form, applicants must submit several supporting documents including their IRS tax exemption letter, recent audited financials, current fiscal year budget, list of current board members, and a history of their organization’s mission and current programming. This grant opportunity is designed for programs that will demonstrably benefit women within the greater Shelby region. Although the application is open to projects targeting women of all ages, particular attention is given to initiatives that include girls ages 17 and under. The Women’s Fund has previously supported programs such as a mobile mammography unit in Richland County, which broadened access to life-saving breast cancer screenings. This example reflects the Fund’s commitment to meeting women where they are—both literally and figuratively—by supporting grassroots and scalable interventions that meet practical needs in the community. Evaluation of grant applications is based on alignment with the Women’s Fund mission, clarity of program goals, capacity for implementation, and expected impact. While specific award amounts are not stated in advance, applicants are encouraged to provide detailed budgets and future funding strategies. The Fund accepts proposals from a wide range of program types, provided they fulfill the core goal of uplifting women in measurable, lasting ways. The Fund's values—collaboration, accountability, responsiveness, and empowerment—underscore its strategic approach to grantmaking and community development.