100 Women Who Care announces grant applications for local nonprofits

JACKSON, Tenn. — 100 Women Who Care: West Tennessee is accepting applications from local nonprofits for its annual grant awards. The deadline for applying is January 31, 2026.

Nonprofits may apply online at https://www.cfwtn.org/100-women-grants.

The grants will support organizations and programs that benefit the residents of rural West Tennessee. Applicants must be an established 501 (c)(3) organization for a minimum of three years or be a current, active fund of the Community Foundation of West Tennessee in good standing.

Eligible Counties:

• Benton
• Carroll
• Chester
• Crockett
• Decatur
• Dyer
• Fayette
• Gibson
• Hardeman
• Hardin
• Haywood
• Henderson
• Henry
• Lake
• Lauderdale
• Madison
• McNairy
• Obion
• Tipton
• Weakley

“These grants help us highlight the work of nonprofits across West Tennessee and share how their programs impact our rural communities,” said Beth Koffman, Chief Operating Officer at Community Foundation of West Tennessee. “Seeing the impact our previous winners have made with the funding has been exciting, and we look forward to seeing more organizations apply this cycle.”

In March 2025, two organizations were awarded funding through 100 Women Who Care:

• RIFA ($11,000) – To support their Bus Stop Cafe, which provides free meals to children under age 18 when school is not in session.
• All Saints Immigration Services ($6,000) – To support low-cost legal representation and advice to immigrant neighbors in West Tennessee.

There is no specific area of focus for the grants, but priority will be given to programs or projects that impact women and children. Funding may be used for unrestricted operating support.

“100 Women Who Care is about empowering women and connecting them to the nonprofits serving our community,” said Haley Fortune, Community Impact Manager at Community Foundation of West Tennessee. “To take that a step further, we want to encourage nonprofits to think about how their programs or projects impact women and children and share that within their proposals.”

All proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of 100 Women Who Care members. Up to six organizations will be selected to present at the Awards Celebration Luncheon on March 5, 2026. After the presentations, members and sponsors will vote to determine which nonprofit(s) receive funding.

Any individuals interested in being a member of 100 Women Who Care can join by making an annual contribution. Donations are payable in installments or as a one-time gift.

Donations are due by February 28, 2026, to participate at the luncheon in March. The program offers four membership levels:

• Member – $100 annually – 1 vote
• Friend – $250 annually – 2 votes
• Advocate – $500 annually – 3 votes
• Champion – $1,000 annually – 4 votes

Business sponsorships for the annual event are available at two levels: $500 and $1,500.

To learn more about 100 Women Who Care, visit www.100WomenWestTN.org or contact Haley Fortune at haley@cfwtn.org.

100 Women Who Care: West Tennessee is dedicated to uniting women to use the power of collective giving and make an impact in the region by giving back to local nonprofits. The group offers an opportunity for women to network, learn about nonprofits serving West Tennessee, and get involved in accessible philanthropy. 100 Women Who Care is an initiative of the Community Foundation of West Tennessee. Learn more at www.100womenwesttn.org.

Community Foundation of West Tennessee was established in 1985 to strengthen the health and well-being of the region by serving as a catalyst for positive changes in the arts, education, healthcare, and other causes. It enhances the quality of life for residents by supporting programs, initiatives, and organizations serving rural West Tennessee. Learn more at www.cfwtn.org.

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