FLiP – Female Leaders in Philanthropy
Springfield FLiP Members Do Good & Have Fun
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Become a part of Springfield’s Women’s Initiative and help improve the status of women and children in the Ozarks. Contact Us (above) for more Info. Springfield’s FLiP volunteers raised over $26,000 at their first annual Evening in Paris event July 31. Congratulations! Event photos by Van Matre Photography Design |
What is FLiP?
FLiP is about being a part of a network of gifted women committed to this community. It’s about having the opportunity to use our heads, hands, and hearts to bring about change. It’s about making a difference through both philanthropy and volunteerism… learn more
Current FLiP News
Evening in Paris Fundraiser Raises More Than $26,000
In its first annual Evening in Paris event, Female Leaders in Philanthropy netted more than $24,000 to fund the group’s three service projects in Springfield, Missouri. FLiP is a United Way Women’s Initiative. The funds will go to support:
- Formally Yours, which provides prom dresses for needy teens
- Suit Yourself Boutique, which outfits women in transition with work attire
- The Ozark Food Harvest Backpack Program, through which FLiP provides weekend food for needy students at eight elementary schools
Read all the details about Evening in Paris here.
FLiP Establishes Mentoring Program for Women in Transition
Springfield’s Female Leaders in Philanthropy has for several years helped women in transition. The Suit Yourself Boutique, by appointment, has provided each woman referred in by community agencies with several complete outfits of appropriate, gently used, work-ready clothing.
The membership decided to undertake a further mentoring program for these women. The nine members of the initial class of mentees have been referred by organizations such as area technical colleges, job placement services, area career centers, and the United Way.
The women represented age groups from 18 to over 57. Four had high school diplomas or GEDs, some had professional certifications such as LPN or paralegal, one was pursuing an MBA. Although they represented a wide variety of skill sets including waitress, clerical, office manager, hospital LPN, writing, restaurant manager, cook or cashier, auditor, and bookkeeper, only three were presently employed.
Click here to see organizing documents used in setting up the mentoring program.
Suit Yourself Boutique Opens for Day to Women of United Way Agencies
FLiP volunteers recently hosted a fun day of shopping for women employed at any United Way Agency. These volunteers have become great friends and have fun while working for good.
Suit Yourself Boutique Conducts Formally Yours Event
Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and daughter Lauren work at the Suit Yourself Boutique during the Formally Yours event. Springfield’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Norman Ridder, asked Female Leaders in Philanthropy to organize this program.
The program now provides low-income high school girls with complete prom outfits: dresses, shoes, bags and all, so they can attend looking and feeling marvelous! Formally Yours has enabled hundreds of girls to attend and enjoy prom, which they would not be able to do without this program.
Women’s Council of Realtors Benefit Community Charities
The Women’s Council of Realtors staged a fun event at an area restaurant, called “Burlesque,” that included a silent auction, fashion show, entertainment, and fun for women of all ages.
Proceeds from the event will help fund two programs sponsored by FLiP: the Back Pack Program that provides weekend food for disadvantaged children, and the Suit Yourself Boutique.
Dr. Nancy presented a program on generations of women working together and other FLiP members came to support and enjoy the fun.
Dr. Nancy Accepts $25K Check for Female Leaders in Philanthropy
February, 2011. Female Leaders in Philanthropy Chairwoman Dr. Nancy D. O’Reilly, far left, receives a check for $25,000 from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Executive Vice President Julie Leeth, along with FLIP members Raylene Appleby, second from right, and Cindy Howell. FLIP raised more than $75,000 during the recent campaign, which included a CFO matching challenge for up to $25,000.
FLiP’s 6 Cs of Women’s Giving
- Change
A desire to make a difference and bring about change, including support of new and different causes, is the number one motivation for women’s giving. - Creation
Women have the entrepreneurial desire to create something new and concrete that will respond to human needs. - Connection
Women want to feel connected with an organization to which they give money. - Commitment
Women are committed to giving their expression of this commitment has traditionally been through volunteer work. - Collaboration
Women look at how organizations can work together with other groups or programs to create partnerships and collaborative efforts. - Celebration
Women prefer making fundraising with celebrations of success along the way.
FLiP’s Backpack Program
The Backpack Program is one of Ozarks Food Harvest’s direct services which feeds nearly 700 children in 16 elementary schools in Springfield, MO every weekend of the school year. For the past 2 1-2 years, FLIP has provided funding to provide food for nearly 200 hungry kids in four of those schools. Each year they raise about $8,500 for each school.
The way the program works is simple but effective:
- The food is delivered to participating schools.
- Volunteers fill backpacks with nutritious, non-perishable, easy-to-open meals and snacks which are distributed to children to take home over the weekend.
- Children return backpacks on Monday and the process is repeated throughout the school year.
