2018 Honorable Mention: LunaFest

The Junior League of Long Beach, CA has partnered with LUNA Bar, makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, for the last six years, now going into its 7th year, to bring LUNAFEST, a traveling short film festival, to the Long Beach community. Programming consists of short films made by, for and about women and range from documentary and animation, to fictional comedy and drama, covering topics such as women’s health, motherhood, body image, aging, cultural diversity and breaking barriers.

This unique fundraiser was chosen by the JLLB because it aligns with its mission—highlighting current women’s issues, engaging the community in a meaningful way, and effectively supporting its community programs.

The success of each year’s event has been dependent on the training and commitment of League membership as a whole. In this way, League members are brought together in a fundraising effort of selling tickets, identifying key community donors and vendors, marketing the event, and improving confidence in public speaking. And through these tasks learn the specifics of event planning, donor management, public relations, customer service, membership recruitment, brand awareness and more.

The JLLB is the top most funds earner of all Junior League hosts of LUNAFEST and the number two funds earner for all 185 LUNAFEST events throughout the US and Canada.

Going into their 7th year of the partnership, the JLLB has earned almost $172,000 to date, while maintaining a low overhead. This has allowed them to generate a substantial profit directly funding their community outreach programs, becoming a self-sustaining benchmark that other Leagues can look to as an example of their own partnership goals and endeavors.