The Women’s Fund in Bowling Green, in its first year of existence, is making its presence felt.
In November, the Women’s Fund will award $60,000 to programs that benefit women and children.
Together, 210 women have contributed funds toward the new endowment, which is part of the Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky.
These women, combined or singly, have 120 memberships at $1,000 each to start the fund, half of which will go toward grants each year and half into an endowment to sustain the giving program. With lifetime members, that endowment stands at about $92,000.
This is a significant amount of money and these women should be commended for helping raise these funds. Through their selfless efforts, the quality of life in southcentral Kentucky will be forever changed for the better.
It must be encouraging to this organization that it more than doubled its membership goal of 100, which is impressive, to say the least. Doubling membership shows a sense of resolve and a willingness to help others.
Community Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Wethington posed a great question recently at a Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce event when she asked: “Can just one gift make a difference?” She replied that it could.
She encourages nonprofits that serve their target audience to apply for grants by the Aug. 2. deadline. One of the appealing features of these grants is that there’s not many restrictions about how the grants can be used. This means more nonprofits have a shot at them.
Melissa Whitley, executive director of Hope Harbor, a sexual trauma recovery center, said her organization would likely apply for funding for help with capital improvements and to make it more handicapped accessible.
The Women’s Fund and others truly make positive change in a community such as ours. We applaud its members for their efforts.
