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“You’re bringing people together,” encouraged Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton, President and CEO, on a recent call with Stonecroft leaders to explain how Fall Fundraisers advance the Stonecroft vision. “You’re building the Kingdom where a million women can be personally invited into a relationship, to know about the Good News, to be able to study the Bible, and to be your friend.” “You’re bringing people together,” encouraged Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton, President and CEO, on a recent call with Stonecroft leaders to explain how Fall Fundraisers advance the Stonecroft vision. “You’re building the Kingdom where a million women can be personally invited into a relationship, to know about the Good News, to be able to study the Bible, and to be your friend.”

On the call, Susanna Hafner, Chair of the Marietta, Georgia, Christian Women’s Connection, explained how her group uses a variety of activities at their “Fall Festival” that last year attracted 15 first-time guests. They had a silent auction, bake sale, gift card prizes, and a “shabby chic” room (mini garage sale).

Corporate Gift Cards. Of particular interest was the use of “corporate gift cards” for cultural, arts, and entertainment venues as prizes. These venues include attractions such as museums, aquariums, orchestra organizations, botanical gardens, and others. Acquiring these gift cards require more work than asking for those from local businesses, explained Brenda Brooks, Co-Chair. She gave some tips for obtaining these cards:

  • Make your request 60-90 days before your event as noted on the venue’s website. Search for “community donations” or a similar topic.
  • Be prepared to complete an online request form that gives information about your organization, your event, and how the card will be used.
  • Have the Stonecroft 501(c)(3) letter (not the sales tax letter) available to send. You can request one by email at [email protected] or call 800.525.8627, ext. 8861.

Shannon Reid, Chair of the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Women’s Connection #1, said her group makes its fundraiser an annual guest event where they invite their spouses. Speakers have topics of interest to husbands that increase their outreach. They also use a multi-activity approach with gift card prizes, themed baskets, a make & take table, and vendors. A ticket drawing for a 4-foot fully decorated Christmas tree is an annual highlight.

Promoting the event. Promotion increases event attendance. The group prints twice as many invitations than its regular amount and the distribution begins three weeks earlier than normal. The additional invitations are taken to businesses to hand out, mailed to first-time guests from the previous year and guests who attend the fundraiser annually, and hand delivered to friends and family by group members.

Several women who have attended the Tulsa Fall Fundraiser as first-time guests have continued to get involved in Stonecroft through their regular events and Prayer Connections. Some have even joined the Planning Team!

To listen to our Fall Fundraiser calls and more information on this year’s events, visit stonecroft.org/fall-fundraiser. Look for additional ideas in Section 6 of the Women’s Connection Handbook.

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