Mission Statement

Tri-fold Brochure

History

Community Service Programs

Philanthropic Contributions

Corporate Sponsors

Awards

2008-2009 Annual Report

The purpose of the Northwood Woman’s Club (NWC) shall be to foster interest and participation in helping to meet the philanthropic needs of our community and to stimulate the intellectual, cultural and social development of its members.

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On April 24, 1968, Northwood Woman’s Club (NWC) was formed by a group of nine women residing in Dallas, north of LBJ Freeway, who desired to give to their community while promoting social opportunities.  From this humble beginning, they quickly added seventy-five members.  The first NWC General Meeting was held on June 25, 1968.  NWC grew rapidly and in May of 1969 clearly established its purpose by declaring itself a civic organization rather than merely a social club.  From its inception, NWC has sponsored fund raising activities to benefit the community and its designated beneficiaries.  The NWC Charitable Fund was established in 1974 to handle funds for the NWC’s expanding philanthropic activities.  In the early 1980s, NWC strongly supported the establishment of the Fretz Park Public Library.    After qualifying for tax-exempt status, NWC began increasing its activities to raise funds for worthwhile causes, primarily to address the needs of women, children, and families in the Dallas area.

To keep up with the ever expanding growth of Dallas, the geographic boundaries for NWC membership have been expanded over the years, and the organization presently welcomes members from all areas of the Greater Dallas Metroplex.  NWC has started the 2008-2009 year with a membership of almost 400 members. 

The first major fund raiser, the NWC Home Tour, was held on April 23, 1976, and enabled NWC to donate more than $4,800 to its selected charitable organizations.  The NWC Home Tour flourished during its twenty five year history and, until 1991, was the sole NWC major fund raising event.  In 1991, the Annual Kaleidoscope Dinner-Dance-Auction was added and enabled NWC to expand its charitable funding.  The highly anticipated theme for this event is different each year and since 2001, the event has been the major fund raiser for NWC.  

In 2004, the highly successful Table Tops, Dine by Design event was added as a secondary fund raiser, further increasing the opportunities for charitable funding.   This event allows outside designers and individual members the opportunity to display their artistic talents in the form of decorative table designs, each with its own individual theme.  

Additionally, in April of 2007, the first "NWC Golf Classic" was held.  This event was an immediate success and added $47,000 to the record-breaking $276,000 distributed to our philanthropies in May of 2007.  The April 2008 Tournament brought in another $35,000! By appealing to the golfers within our club as well as local sponsors, this event added yet another dimension to our charitable fund raising activities.

From its inception, NWC has raised and donated over $3 million to a variety of area service agencies, and almost one-half million dollars have been awarded in the past two years to the designated beneficiaries. 

Since 1979, NWC has also provided two NWC Scholarships at the University of Texas at Dallas, and in December 1986, The Northwood Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund was established as a permanent endowment fund.  Throughout the years since its establishment, additional funds have been added to the endowment. 

NWC further actively recruits corporate partnerships to become major sponsors of the fund raising and community service mission of NWC.    NWC now enjoys partnering relationships with Centex Corporation, Neiman Marcus Willow Bend, Northern Trust,  and The Garden Gate Floral Design. These partnerships allow NWC to raise even more funding and volunteer hours for local charitable agencies.  NWC is extremely proud and grateful for the continued support of these renowned establishments.

The social aspect of NWC has been as meaningful and rewarding as its philanthropic endeavors.  As  we begin our 41st year, the members will continue to embrace each other in friendship through numerous social activities in addition to our fund raising aspects.  NWC continually offers its members new and exciting opportunities to maintain its long-standing goals. 

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NWC supports selected “hands-on” Community Service Projects through the generous support of its Corporate Sponsors.  NWC enjoys a rich history of community service.  For example, during the past five years, members have performed more than 100,000 hours of personal service for our beneficiaries and other NWC designated Community Service Projects.  In 2007-2008 alone, NWC had a total of over 25,550 volunteer hours.  Currently, NWC is represented by one or more members on the Boards of Directors of numerous charitable agencies.   For the third consecutive year, NWC has partnered with Dallas CASA in planning and staffing  the 2008 “Parade of Playhouses”, held at NorthPark Center in the month of August.

Awards:  The Dallas Federation of Woman’s Clubs honored NWC with their highest “Outstanding Club” Award every year for service to the community community from 1991 until the Dallas Chapter officially disbanded in 2000.   In 2001, NWC was recognized by Family Gateway as the Volunteer Organization of the Year, and was awarded the “Outstanding Service Group of the Year” in 2002, again by Family Gateway.  In 2003, NWC was honored as the “Outstanding Volunteer Organization” by the Women’s Council of Dallas County, and the “Keep on Shining” award by Family Gateway.  In 2005, NWC won the Spirit of CONTACT Award from CONTACT Crisis Line.  In 2006, NWC received the City of Dallas Mayor’s Award for volunteer and philanthropic service to the community, as well as nomination for the Governor’s Community Motivator Award.   In 2007 NWC received the Community Partners of Dallas Partners for Children Award and was nominated for the Mentor Award by the Collin County Advocacy Center.

Northwood Woman’s Club members look forward to another successful year in 2009-2010 as we begin our 42nd year serving the less fortunate women and children throughout the Dallas metroplex.

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From its inception, Northwood Woman's Club has sponsored fund raising events to benefit the community and NWC charities.  From the 1968-69 term through 1988-89, NWC gave thousands of hours to the community and raised nearly $337,000 for local agencies and community endeavors.  Since the early days, the Club has financially supported the Dallas Arboretum, The Family Place, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Contact, and many other important area agencies. The Fretz Park Public Library and Neighborhood Service Council, in particular, became realities aided by the efforts of NWC.  In 1978, NWC made a long-term commitment to endow two scholarships to benefit upper class and/or graduate women students at the University of Texas at Dallas.  That goal became a reality in 1998.  From the 1989-90 year, NWC has made significant strides in fund raising efforts.  The recent history of fund raising exemplifies NWC’s commitment to philanthropy.  The Club philosophy has been to keep expenses as low as possible so as to give the maximum to our chosen beneficiaries each year.  In 2006-2007, NWC topped the $3 million mark in donations.

Each year, the NWC Philanthropy Committee receives and carefully evaluates applications for requested financial support from a variety of local charitable agencies which work to benefit women and children. The designated NWC beneficiaries for each year are selected after a thorough and careful process of research, evaluations, and on-site visitations.

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NWC is pleased to have several corporate sponsors who have supported the organization.  These sponsors are as follows:

 Foundation Partner

CENTEX HOMES

Sponsor Party Underwriter

NORTHERN TRUST BANK

Premier Partner

NEIMAN MARCUS - WILLOW BEND

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2008 OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION AWARD

GIVEN BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

FOR NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY - NOVEMBER 14, 2008

For a copy of the invitation citing the NWC Award, please click here.

Northwood Woman's Club Named Outstanding Philanthropic Organization for National Philanthropy Day

 The Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Communities Foundation of Texas, proud partners in philanthropy, will honor Northwood Woman's Club with the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization award on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, at the 23^rd Annual NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY AWARDS LUNCHEON, Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion, Landmark Ballroom, 300 Reunion Boulevard, Dallas.  Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with the luncheon from 121:30 p.m. 

This award, sponsored by ORIX USA Corporation, is a unique and special honor due to the fact that it is rarely given by AFP, with the last group being honored almost ten years ago.

Since its inception in 1968, the Northwood Woman's Club has focused on the needs of the community, incorporating volunteerism and charitable fundraising activities to benefit the most vulnerable members of our community.  In 1975, the NWC Charitable Fund was established and received 501(c)(3) status to raise funds for causes related to the needs of women, children, and families.  Today Northwood Woman's Club has more than 400 members and has given $3.25 million to a variety of projects and nonprofit agencies serving Dallas and Collin Counties.

"It is so fitting that NWC is being recognized for the outstanding organization that it is, said Pat Evans, Mayor of Plano.  These very capable women take a professional approach to their fundraising and philanthropic activities, resulting in an unstoppable force of volunteerism, leadership, and funding.  The members' compassion, dedication, and personal involvement in the agencies are truly "the icing on the cake!"

NWCs well organized system for philanthropic activities and approach for working with corporate partners enables the organization to identify, qualify, and select charitable organizations and service agencies as the beneficiaries of NWC fundraising activities.   Major partners such as Centex, Neiman Marcus, Northern Trust Bank, the Cooper Institute, Brennan Financial Services, the Marshall Heritage Foundation, Garden Gate Floral Design, and the Mason Brown Family Foundation, Inc. have recognized and enhanced the efforts of NWC by creating community awareness of the organization and its beneficiaries.  Working with their corporate partners, NWC holds three annual fundraising events the Kaleidoscope Gala and Table Tops Dine by Design as well as a new annual golf classic begun in 2006. 

Agencies NWC serves include The Family Place, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Genesis Women's Shelter, Community Partners, Collin County CASA, Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, Vickery Meadow Learning Center, Contact Crisis Line, Dallas CASA, Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, Collin County Children's Advocacy Center, Family Gateway, Interfaith Housing Coalition, Our Friends Place., Buckner Orphan Care, North Dallas Shared Ministries, Dallas Arboretum, and Dallas Museum of Art.  NWC has made significant financial contributions to help establish the Fretz Park Public Library and the Neighborhood Service Council.  NWC also funds an endowment at the University of Texas at Dallas that supports two annual scholarships for female upper class and graduate school students who need financial help to continue their education.

NWC members take the opportunity to volunteer in many service agencies in both Dallas and Collin Counties, and more than 100,000 volunteer hours have been contributed by the membership over the last five years alone.  NWC has received numerous recognitions by Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs including a record number of nine times for the Outstanding Club Award. NWC also received the Outstanding Award for Service Hours twice and the Outstanding Award for Philanthropy twice.  NWC was given the 2002 Family Gateway Award for Outstanding Service Group of the Year; the Women's Council of Dallas County Award in 2002 and 2003 for Outstanding Volunteer Organization; the 2003 and 2004 Neighborhood Service Council Certificates of Appreciation; and the 2003 Family Gateway Keep on Shining Award.  In 2005 NWC won the Spirit of Contact Award from Contact Crisis Line and was named Outstanding Donor for 2005 by Community Partners of Dallas.  In 2006 Northwood Woman's Club was honored by Dallas Mayor Laura Miller with a Special Recognition for the years of work in dedicated volunteerism and philanthropic service to the community.  NWC was also named 2006 Child Advocate of the Year in the Philanthropy Category by Collin County Children's Advocacy Center.  Last year, NWC received the 2007 Mentor Award from Collin County Childrens Advocacy Center and the 2007 Partners for Children Award from Community Partners of Dallas.

As someone who is familiar with Northwood Woman's Clubs community involvement over the years, I would argue that their Mission Statement would be more appropriately titled Performance History, said Tony Goolsby, Texas House of Representatives.  They have lived their intentions and tirelessly endeavored to reach the goals that they set for themselves.  Their collective selflessness, this sense of purpose, and their mission have not diminished with time.

The Greater Dallas Chapter of AFP was among the first to begin celebrating National Philanthropy Day in 1981.  Today, the luncheon involves over 700 AFP members and community leaders.  National Philanthropy Day celebrates the great contributions made in our community by philanthropy and by those who work in the philanthropic process.  AFP Chapters involve more than 36,000 individuals in celebrating philanthropy each year. 

The National Philanthropy Day Luncheon is also sponsored by The Dallas Morning News and CCS Fundraising.  Tickets are $75 each, $750 for a table of 10, or $1,000 for a premium table of 10.  Visit afpdallas.org or contact Madeleine Crouch at 972-233-9107, ext. 204, afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org.

2008 EMERGENCY YOUTH SHELTER RENOVATION

2008 OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER

PROMISE HOUSE

29 YEARS OF SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

2008 ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION

2008 PARTNERS FOR CHILDREN AWARD   

GIVEN BY COMMUNITY PARTNERS OF DALLAS

2008 MENTOR AWARD

GIVEN BY COLLIN COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER

2006 GOVERNOR'S COMMUNITY MOTIVATOR AWARD

GROUP AWARD NOMINEE

2006 CITY OF DALLAS MAYOR'S AWARD

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR DEDICATED VOLUNTEER AND PHILANTHROPIC SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
To see the Award, click here: Award

2006 COLLIN COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER
Philanthropy Category

2006 CHILD ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

2005 COMMUNITY PARTNERS OF DALLS

OUTSTANDING DONOR FOR 2005

2005 CONTACT CRISIS LINE 

2005 SPIRIT OF CONTACT AWARD

2004 NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE COUNCIL

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

2004 DALLAS FIRE PREVENTION, EDUCATION AND INSPECTION

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

2003 FAMILY GATEWAY AWARD

"KEEP ON SHINING" AWARD

2003 NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE COUNCIL

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

WOMEN'S COUNCIL OF DALLAS COUNTY

2002 - 2003 OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION

2002 FAMILY GATEWAY AWARD

OUTSTANDING SERVICE GROUP OF THE YEAR

RICHARDSON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & RICHARDSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM 2002

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

In Recognition of Outstanding Financial and Volunteer Commitment Benefiting RISD Students

DALLAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS AWARDS

1st PLACE - OUTSTANDING CLUB AWARD

1991-1992, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000

OUTSTANDING AWARD FOR SERVICE HOURS

1989-90 & 1990-91

3rd PLACE - OUTSTANDING AWARD FOR SERVICE HOURS

1987-88

OUTSTANDING AWARD FOR PHILANTHROPY

1984-85, & 1985-86

(Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs terminated in 2000)

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