What started as a grassroots effort to help women and children in need has officially doubled in size.

The 100+ Women for Shelby initiative now boasts 200 members, a major milestone for the community-led giving group housed under The Shelby Foundation.

The public is invited to celebrate the occasion at a free social event on Monday, June 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Vault Wine Bar in Shelby. The fun is free, and the food is on you. This month’s featured nonprofit is the Richland County Dog Warden & Adoption Center, led by Missy Houghton. Attendees are invited to learn more and contribute if they wish.

100 Women for Shelby was founded in 2018 and reached its first 100 members by 2020. After achieving that milestone, the group changed its name to 100+ Women for Shelby which now includes men and women from across the community who come together to support women and children through collective giving. Membership is $100 per year — $75 goes into a pooled fund that awards annual grants to local nonprofit partners, while the remaining $25 supports the Women’s Fund endowment.

“This was always about more than socializing,” said Carrie Kemerer, executive director of The Shelby Foundation. “It’s about what we can do when we bring like-minded people together who care about making a difference.”

In 2025 alone, the group awarded over $13,000 in grants to nonprofits providing essential programming for women and children. In addition, a $15,000 grant was awarded to Taking Root Farms to support their capital campaign.

Monthly socials are held at the end of each month and are completely optional. Members can engage as much or as little as they like. In 2025, the group added a “nonprofit of the month” feature, giving members an opportunity to voluntarily support a highlighted organization each time they gather.

The group also hosts two lecture events per year — the next one, coming up in July, will focus on heart health.

“This is a powerful example of what can happen when people come together to lift each other up,” Kemerer added. “We’re so proud of what this group has already accomplished — and we’re just getting started.”

To learn more about joining 100+ Women for Shelby, visit www.theshelbyfoundation.org.