2020: Fund Development Events

When Fort Worth’s community looks for a supportive partner, a name brought up often is The Junior League of Fort Worth (JLFW). With a 90 year history of helping the city and Tarrant County, Texas, the League has shown that it is willing to put forth both people and financial needs for the good of others. Fund Development Council and its leaders through the years have helped to shape this interest, leading the way in fundraising initiatives and allowing for millions of dollars to be reinvested into the community at large. In 2019-2020 alone, the League proudly gave $490,000 in grants to selected community nonprofits, along with nearly $50,000 in smaller, separate community need grants.

In addition to supporting the community, JLFW fundraising efforts helps fulfill another part of the League’s mission: developing the potential of women. As an example, six years ago, the Junior League of Fort Worth identified a need to nurture, develop, support and encourage leaders within our organization. The League could not have imagined how successful the program would be in a relatively short amount of time. All Aboard has proven to be a wonderful training ground led by prominent League members, local community leaders, industry experts and outside experts. In the past three years alone, the JLFW has received more than 40 applications for each cohort, and the number is expected to grow.

To support the targeted causes that the JLFW commits to in the community, members dedicate themselves to balanced fundraising focused on long-term sustainability. The Fund Development program creates a healthy and balanced revenue for the League, with diverse audiences and sustainable implementation. Three fundraisers--Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market, Grand Entry Gala, and “Yell & Sell” Rodeo Program Sales--have steadily grown annually with members prioritizing fundraising work in order to give back via project investment at larger numbers year over year.

Christmas in Cowtown is the largest JLFW event, raising more than $730,000 through the efforts of over 100 committee members, 550 volunteer shift workers, and 260 carefully selected vendors. Held each October, this four-day Holiday Gift Market attracts upward of 15,000 guests to shop the Market and attend special events such as the Cocktails in Cowtown Preview Party and Making Spirits Bright Brunch and Private Shopping. The standard is raised each year through the strength of Market attendance, sponsor revenue and volunteer support. As an example of increasing strength, and through the efforts of many, the 2019 Market saw a 6% increase in attendance and a 42% increase in sponsor revenue.

Grand Entry Gala and Yell & Sell are part of a long-term partnership with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, a unique western heritage collaboration that began 63 years ago. Grand Entry Gala is a dinner and dancing fundraiser where over 850 guests kick off rodeo season in Fort Worth. In just seven years, Grand Entry Gala has increased overall revenue and now generates over $250,000 in net income for JLFW. Also connected to the rodeo season, Yell & Sell is JLFW’s most public-facing fundraiser, where volunteers greet and sell souvenir programs to 1.2 million attendees of the 23-day Stock Show. Revenues for this initiative have grown consistently over the years, with 2019 net income up 86% vs. 2015, an increase of $24,000.

In addition to these three fundraisers, the JLFW relies on an Annual Fund to raise general and operational support. Through North Texas Giving Day, multiple pop-up shops, cohesive branded wearables and more, the JLFW generates ideas to cover League operations, member training and development. New in 2019-2020 is a 90th Anniversary Terrace Brick Project, connected to the Annual Fund, which allows members to receive an engraved brick on-site in recognition of their $90 or $200 donation. Examples like these demonstrate the power of visual storytelling, and how unique opportunities can enhance a fundraising campaign.

The impact of the JLFW Fund Development program is seen in surpassed goals and trackable impact with community organizations. In 2019-2020 alone, the League has been able to give away nearly $500,000 to 11 specific nonprofit projects, a 14% increase in one year and more than double the $233,000 given five years ago in 2014-2015. Three examples of outcomes achieved this year are:

The Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Project with Cook Children’s Health Care System, funding five new “Psych Safe” rooms to help the community have a high standard of behavioral health services care. 7,500 patients annually present at Cook in crisis due to either a psychotic episode or suicide attempt.

The Dignity Closet Project with Community Storehouse aims to help children improve basic hygiene so that their needs are met, and so they can pursue success in the classroom. More than 1,000 children are expected to be impacted by this program.

And the FOCUS (Families Offering Children Unfailing Success) for Mothers Project with NewDay Services for Children & Families providing support to mothers who are at risk of losing their children to substitute care or have lost their children and are attempting to get them returned to them. An anticipated 400 mothers will benefit from the 2019-2020 program.