Amy Tam, President
This year, our organization was one of many in a worldwide movement to rebuild, restore, and reconnect after the pandemic. Our members rallied to reunite our community in person safely and give back to the Bay Area community we love through in person volunteering and fundraising events.
Spinsters was grateful to partner with Oasis for Girls for our 92nd year, renewing our partnership that began in 2011. Oasis for Girls (“Oasis”) is an empowering local nonprofit that works with young women of color ages 14-18 from under-resourced communities in San Francisco to help them cultivate the skills, knowledge, and confidence to build healthy futures, and create more equitable, just communities. Serving more than 100 under-resourced high school girls each year, Oasis runs three core programs focused on life skills, arts education, and exploration. Programs like Oasis, especially during the pandemic, are valuable in supporting young women during a difficult time mentally where physical distancing made it challenging to find spaces of belonging and empowerment. Naturally, as an organization of about 100 young professional women whose own goals were to empower women and build community, their work resonated with us. We were honored to be a part of promoting female empowerment at a pivotal point in young women’s lives.
While the pandemic impacted many traditional philanthropy and fundraising activities, we were grateful to see how much our community stepped up to support our nonprofit partner and other nonprofit organizations across the city. Our members invested 395 volunteer hours between Oasis and other organizations. We were especially moved by how generous our community was in directly donating to Oasis at our fundraisers throughout the year. As an organization, our community made some of the largest donations to our nonprofit partner this year that we’ve ever recorded in our 92 year history. Check out a breakdown of some of our favorite community fundraising events that helped us make an impact this year.
Fleet or Flight Fundraiser
We brought back our infamous 12th Annual Fleet or Flight Fundraiser Party in person at Jaxson SF with amazing signature cocktails from Ketel One Vodka, Diageo, Yuzuri Liquor, and Kikori Whiskey. At our first fundraising event of the year, we sold over 100 tickets and Jaxson SF donated $1520 towards Oasis that evening.
Legacy Benefit
Legacy Benefit, our premier fundraiser of the year, celebrates our Spinsters history while supporting our nonprofit partner at the historic Fairmont Swig Suite Penthouse. Due to COVID-19 restrictions over the last two years, the fundraiser was virtual. This year, we were finally able to bring back this fundraiser in person with live music from The Turnaround Jazz Ensemble, wine from our sponsors (Azari Vineyards, Breathless Wines, Hanzell Vineyards, and Muscardini Cellars) and more. Our alumnae community and guests generously donated to support Oasis.
Gia Colosi, former Spinsters President and Alumnae, generously donated $10k at our live fundraising event. With Gia’s enthusiasm, Lisa Hattig, Spinsters Alumnae, donated $2k on the spot. It was amazing to witness how generous and supportive our community is in giving back.
Collectively, we sold over 100 tickets and raised about $16k from corporate sponsorships and direct donations, alone.
Kicks for a Cause
Our fun and physically active fundraising event, Kicks for a Cause, came back in person for its 4th year, selling over 50 tickets. We appreciate MIZO for supplying drinks to end the day with.
Between virtual and additional in person fundraising events as well as in our community, we continued to raise funds for Oasis. While we are still tallying up the total funds raised, so far we know we raised nearly $20k from corporate sponsors and organizations such as 100+ Women Who Care who donated directly to support Oasis’ work. Stay tuned for more updates! Our final total donation for 2021-2022 towards Oasis is still being tallied.
Our 92nd year was a reflection of the momentum we made in rebuilding our organization from the impact of the pandemic. Even during times of uncertainty, our community demonstrated a strong passion for philanthropy. Spinsters continue to overcome challenges and care for each other and our community while adapting and learning in the process. I cannot wait to see our organization continue to thrive for decades to come welcoming new generations of young professionals passionate about having a voice, having a presence, searching for a purpose, and making an impact in the Bay Area while continuing to foster diversity and inclusion in our community.
Interested in learning more about SOSF and becoming a member? Email recruitment@sfspinsters.com and we’ll keep you in the loop. Check back for more details and other meet and greet events here!.