The Service Club of Chicago just hosted its annual “Day on the Terrace” fashion show/fundraiser, this year themed “A Royal Garden Party.” For the past several years, this popular event has been a sellout, and this year was no different. Returning co-chairs Jean Antoniou, Sharyl Mackey and Tracey DiBuono (who was also show producer) thrilled the crowd with major retailers and designers filling the runway with the hottest and latest fashions.
This show is but one of many fundraisers this nonprofit hosts to raise funds for its unique Philanthropic Grant Fund. Other events include the gala, auxiliary board events, movie nights, cultural get-togethers and so much more.
Established in 1890, the Service Club of Chicago is one of the oldest, if not THE oldest women’s charitable organization in the city. But this interesting fact aside, their fundraising objective is unique and can only be found in this organization.
The Service Club members raise all the money that directly supports its Philanthropic Grant Fund, which in turn, supports other nonprofits in the city and this is how they do it. The Philanthropic Committee reviews grant requests from dozens of local area nonprofits annually. The committee then determines where those funds will make the biggest impact. Staffed entirely by volunteer members who vet every single grant, the committee ensures the organizations are stable and viable before they receive the support requested.
Once an organization is fully vetted and awarded a grant, cash payments are NOT directly distributed to the grantee. This is what makes them different and able to make a difference among many nonprofits instead of just one. Payment is then made directly to the vendor for the allocated item and then the item is sent to the organization to fulfill that specific, requested need.
So, even though the Service Club’s “Day on the Terrace” was a fashionista’s dream this year, it also makes dreams come true for those less fortunate.
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