Fundraising and Development Advancement

Chair-ity Auction

The GFWC Clayton Century Club (DE) donated and refurbished furniture for auction. Members and local businesses donated chairs and other furniture. Many in the community helped sand and paint the furniture, including members, their families, a local art teacher, and Very Special Arts students. Tickets were sold for the event, which was held in November to attract holiday shoppers. Members sold refreshments, raffled items at the auction, and provided door prizes.

Rollin’ Rock Raffle

The GFWC History Club of Whitesboro (TX) raffled a dump truck load of limestone gravel that was donated to them by a local business. In a two-month period, the community received 2-3 feet of rain. In an agrarian community, gravel was in high demand. The club benefitted from the foot traffic at a local festival, where they sold raffle tickets from a booth cleverly decorated with hand-painted dump trucks signs.

Grease Sing-A-Long

The GFWC Hemet Women’s Club (CA) tried a new fundraiser when they rented a local movie theatre and purchased the license to show the movie Grease. They sold tickets to the event and arranged to have clothing and craft vendors in the lobby. Each vendor also donated a basket to be raffled. The festivities included a costume contest, singing contest, and a raffle drawing for the donated gift baskets.

Annual Glitzy Kitchen Tour

Members of the GFWC Naples Woman’s Club (FL) organized a tour to showcase their kitchens with the assistance of four host chefs from popular local restaurants. Each home also featured entertainment by local musicians, beautiful flower arrangements, and a luxury car parked in the driveway. Sponsors were obtained, tickets were sold for both the tour and a preview party, and raffle tickets were sold on baskets at each home on the tour.

Show Me Lexington Community Welcome Kits

The GFWC Women’s Club of Lexington (MO) partnered with the city and Chamber of Commerce to welcome new residents and business owners to the community with gift bags. The bags contained small gifts from merchants and professionals, plus lists of local places of worship, clubs, doctors, and dentists. The club members sold ads to be included in these gift bags, including many that contained merchant discounts. Newcomers to the community were contacted and given a welcome bag.

Appalachian Noel Holiday Expo

The GFWC Greeneville Woman’s Club (TN) hosted its 48th Annual Holiday Expo with over 100 vendor booths of holiday and gift items. They partnered with the local Senior Center to create and sell commemorative personalized ornaments. The club operated a full kitchen to sell food to shoppers and sold space to food truck vendors. They raised funds from entrance fees, vendor booth fees, food sales, and ornament sales.

Re-gift Auction of Mystery Items

The GFWC Papillion Junior Woman’s Club (NE) held a “Re-Gift Auction” in January to find a new home for unwanted Christmas gifts. Members wrapped the donated items and wrote clues on a tag about what was in the package. Bids were made based only on the written clues. Some bidders received really nice gifts, but everyone who won an item received a surprise.

Roaring 20’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

The GFWC Mesquite Club of Las Vegas (NV) transformed its clubhouse into a speakeasy that was so authentic that it even required a password for entry. Tickets were sold for the dinner theatre and a silent auction was also part of the event. Guests were entertained by the murder mystery that was presented. Everyone was encouraged to wear fashions from the Roaring 20’s and participate in solving the mystery.

Pepper Canning Project

The GFWC Bridgeport Junior Woman’s Club (WV) and their community looked forward to their annual Pepper Canning Project. Members enjoyed each other’s company while they canned bushels of Italian peppers. They worked hard to prepare the jars, cut and prepare the peppers, and cook and can the pint jars of peppers. They sold 712 pints of sweet, medium, and hot peppers throughout the local area, with many purchased by repeat customers.

Annual Mr. Concord Pageant

The GFWC Concord Contemporary Club (NH) held its Third Annual Mr. Concord Pageant, an event where eight men competed in interviews and talent for the coveted crown. The Pageant also included entertainment from a Master of Ceremonies and a DJ. Sponsorships and tickets were sold. Pageant attendees had the opportunity to participate in a wine pull and silent auction. In addition, tickets were sold to vote on the favorite talent of the evening.