The Women’s Fund of South Central Kentucky will be giving $105,000 this year to organizations it believes can benefit the area’s women and children.

Jennifer Wethington, executive director of the Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky, the philanthropic organization that oversees the fund, said the Women’s Fund is aimed at benefiting groups that help women locally.

“It’s just something we do to encourage others and show what a bunch of women together can do,” she said. “It’s an initiative where women can come together and support organizations that are working to help women and children in southcentral Kentucky.” 

Of the $105,000 total, $90,000 will form the Impact Grant, which will be awarded to one group, Wethington said. The remaining $15,000 will be split evenly between three runners-up.

This will be the fourth year the Women’s Fund will give an Impact Grant, Wethington said, adding that the grant has grown from an initial $51,000 in 2013. 

“Our goal was always to hit a $100,000 grant, and we’re almost there,” she said.  

Voting on the awarding of the grant will be Oct. 24, she said. The deadline for groups to apply for the grant is Aug. 3.

Women’s Fund chairwoman Stacey Sims, who announced this year’s amount, said the fund over the course of its lifetime has donated more than $237,000 to 11 organizations, including Barren River Area Safe Space, the Family Enrichment Center and Hope Harbor.  

“The collective philanthropic effort of all of our members has made and will continue to make an impact in our community,” she announced at a reception Thursday at the Baker Arboretum. “Together we can do so much.”

Nikki Johnson, who joined the group less than a month ago, said that, having lived as a single mother of three, she feels a connection with the people the Women’s Fund seeks to aid.

“This fund is really something that can help them,” she said. 

Though she wasn’t a member at the time, she attended last year’s vote, where the $85,000 Impact Grant was awarded to Haven4Change Inc., a residential, transitional facility for women recovering from substance abuse and their children 12 and younger. 

“It was exciting to see the people talk about what they would do with the money,” she said, adding that it helped to visualize how the fund will be used to help the area. 

“There’s a great need for it in the community,” she said.    

Erin Biggers, a founding member of the group, said she’s happy about this year’s amount, adding that the grant has increased in size each year, partly because of new members, who pay $1,000 annual membership, and increased donations. 

“I’m thrilled,” she said. “As long as it goes up and not down, we’re happy.” 

— Follow Daily News reporter Jackson French on Twitter @Jackson_French or visit bgdailynews.com.