Women’s Fund names 2026 final four grant contenders
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — The Women’s Fund of South Central Kentucky has named its 2026 final four grant contenders, narrowing 25 applications to four organizations that will move forward in the grant process and make their case to members at the fund’s annual dinner Oct. 27 in Bowling Green.
Hotel INC., New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding, Habitat for Humanity and Kentucky Kids on the Block were announced as this year’s finalists on Wednesday evening. The Women’s Fund is operated by the Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky.
The field was first narrowed from 25 applicants to eight finalists before site visits and presentations helped determine the four organizations moving forward.
Building on work already underway
Jennifer Wethington, executive director of the Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky, said the grant is intended to give local organizations an opportunity to expand the services they are already providing.
“And that was the goal the whole time for the Women’s Fund is to help these nonprofits step out of their boxes and think, how can we expand services to make our services better?” Wethington said.
Each finalist is proposing a different use for the funding.
Hotel INC.’s Housing Stability and Family Wellness Initiative focuses on preventing homelessness among women age 55 and older and families with children. A representative told those gathered that the organization is seeing a growing need in the community.
Habitat for Humanity is seeking support for its Rooted and Rising program, which includes repairs designed to help people remain safely in their homes. The organization said 83% of the repairs completed through the program have been for women or women with children. Projects have included wheelchair ramps, handrails, roofs, walk-in showers and even a sewer line replacement.
One recipient described the difference those repairs made in simple terms: “I feel safe in my home again.”
Kentucky Kids on the Block is seeking funding for a new van and 105 child abuse prevention programs across South Central Kentucky. The organization said the need for education has changed significantly since it last received grant funding for child abuse prevention in 2019.
New Beginnings looks to expand therapy services
For New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding, the proposal centers on expanding the support available through its program by adding mental health therapists to its staff.
“So what this grant will do, it would help us get to the next level, to more sustainable so that we can a have mental health therapist on staff,” Michelle Vise, executive director of New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding, said.
The proposal also includes creating a private office setting while continuing to incorporate horses into the therapeutic work. During the finalist presentation, New Beginnings said having a therapist on staff was a goal of its founder when the program began 30 years ago.
Vise said the organization serves women and children and described the impact of the program in emotional terms.
“We see miracles every day,” she said, adding that additional support would allow New Beginnings to serve more women and children.
Last year’s grant already at work
The Final Four announcement was held at the Family Enrichment Center, which received the Women’s Fund’s $100,000 grant last year.
The center used the funding to renovate its space. Women’s Fund leaders said holding this year’s announcement there gave members a chance to see what happened after that investment was made.
Wethington said the benefit of becoming a finalist can extend beyond whichever organization ultimately receives the Impact Grant.
“And that is part of the benefit of being the final Four is just that people learn. People are raising awareness of what the needs of our community are,” Wethington said.
Members will make the final decision
The four finalists will make presentations to Women’s Fund members during the annual dinner Oct. 27 at threeTHIRTYone Wedding and Event Venue, 331 Kentucky Street, in Bowling Green.
Each Women’s Fund member receives one vote, either in person or by proxy. The Impact Grant recipient will be selected by majority vote, with the award announced that night.
The other three finalists will also receive runner-up grant funding. Those awards have historically ranged from $4,000 to $10,000 for each organization.
For Wethington, that collective decision-making is central to the Women’s Fund. During Wednesday’s event, she said membership gives women “a seat at the table” and a voice in deciding where the money goes.
