T H E P O T E N T I A L O F - Junior League of Baltimore

FUNDRAISING
T H E P OT E N T I A L O F C H A N G E
A key accomplishment of the Junior League of Baltimore’s
Projects, Advocacy, and Research (par) Committee was the
research and development of a comprehensive funding plan
for the Junior League of Baltimore. The plan moves away
from gala or event-based fundraising and lays the roadmap
towards a more diversified portfolio of funding, including
allocating increased resources to our Wise Penny Thrift Store
and related special sales, including our semi-annual Boutique
Warehouse Sale. The Wise Penny, our social enterprise for
over 50 years, has in its history netted $2.3 million for Junior
League of Baltimore programs and initiatives.
BOUTIQUE WAREHOUSE SALES
During 2006-2007, the Junior League of Baltimore introduced
a new fundraiser, the semi-annual Boutique Warehouse
sale. The approach was simple – persuade area
boutiques to lend us their end of season or clearance
merchandise, we would sell it for them in a 2-day special
sale, and we would share the proceeds. The first year, the
two sales resulting in gross sales of almost $60,000 and
attracted a large following, with boutiques and shoppers
clamoring for information on the next sale and how they
could participate.
This past fiscal year the Boutique Warehouse Sales grew
in size and in profit, with the fall 2007 sale generating a
gross of over $50,000 and spring sale generating a gross of
over $75,000. Not only does this excellent fundraiser secure
revenue for our operating budget, it also raises awareness
and interest in the community for both our Wise Penny Thrift
Store and the Junior League of Baltimore.
Finally, the Boutique Warehouse Sales offer a wonderful
training opportunity to the committee members in areas
including solicitations, public relations, marketing, event
planning and volunteer management.
CELEBRATE 95
Our Celebrate 95 Gala was a huge success, bringing
together members, partners, and supporters to raise close
to $75,000 for current programs and initiatives of the
Junior League of Baltimore. We were proud to honor the
civic leadership and community impact our organization
has made over the past 95 years, with special recognition
for our Honorees, Sally Michel, Barbara J. Bonnell, and
Mary DeKuyper. The event featured video vignettes with
each honoree, sharing thoughts on their League experiences
and the power of voluntarism. Their legacy was
perhaps best stated by Sally Michel, who said “… what we
keep, we lose and only what we give remains our own.”
Celebrate 95 gave us the opportunity to rekindle our
spirit, reconnect with our past, and reflect on 95 years of
service to the Baltimore Community.
1 Celebrate 95 Honoree Barbara J. Bonnell with Co-Chair Lyn Phelps. 2 Boutique Warehouse Sale. 3 Ground Breaking Ceremony for
Headquarters Project. 4 Bond Bill efforts in Annapolis.