Thank you for your interest in the Little Black Dress Club! Please visit us on Facebook!

Thank you so much for your interest in the Little Black Dress Club! We have moved our communications to Facebook. Search for "Little Black Dress Club Boise," to learn more about how you can be a part of our organization!

Grant Report from 'Girls on the Run'

Ever wondered how our grant winners used the funds they were awarded? Girls on the Run submitted this great report on all the good they were able to do with the $2,500 they were awarded:

"I am pleased to share with you our grant report for Girls on the Run – Idaho for 2009. Since receiving your generous grant for the amount of $2,500 we have had two successful 10-week seasons and have served 285 girls in the communities of Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Middleton, Star, Kuna and Caldwell.

Our Spring 2009 season was held from March through May. Our program was offered at thirteen sites across the Treasure Valley in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Star with 139 girls participating and 32 coaches volunteering their time. Our 2009 Fall season was held from September through November. We had sites in twelve locations across the Treasure Valley with 146 girls registered and 33 coaches. We were able add new sites in Kuna and Caldwell during the fall, along with offering our existing sites in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Middleton and Nampa. While we saw a bit of a decline in our annual numbers from the previous year, we were happy with the numbers we served, especially in this time of financial instability for so many families.

On Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 and Saturday, November 7th, 2009, participants in our program experienced two very important events. These were the days of our community 5Ks for our spring and fall seasons. On May 2nd, Girls on the Run girls from our spring season participated in the East Jr. High Hornet Run. Despite a downpour of rain, over 120 girls came out to accomplish their goal of finishing a 5K. On Saturday, November 7th participants in our fall program completed the Run 4 Freedom 5K in Kuna. Over 100 girls achieved their goal. At each event, coaches, parents and friends lined the course and cheered on each girl, giving them the extra motivation to finish strong. For some of our girls, these 5Ks were their first official races. For all our girls these events were great accomplishments. These girls worked hard all season long preparing for these events and were able to use the tools they gained during our lessons to have the strength and courage to believe in themselves and finish the races.

I’m happy to report that your grant for the amount of $2,500 was used for general operating support during our 2009 year. We used $500 for snacks, $1,000 for program t-shirts and $1,000 for printing.

Our program continues to influence the girls who participate in it. After the Fall 2009 season, one participant said, “I have learned how to be myself.” Another girl shared, “It made me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to.” One parent of a 4th grader said, “My daughter has gained a stronger sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. She also enjoyed the activities, as well as the running.” Another parent of a 5th grader shared, “During Girls on the Run my daughter learned many valuable lessons, made new friends and was part of a team. Being a team player is important and the GOTR program is beneficial to girls’ health.” It is statements like these that allow us to see that our message is being heard. Girls on the Run strives to equip girls with the decision making tools and values necessary to face any type of situation and respond to challenging situations in a positive way. We know that through our program we are changing the lives of girls in the Treasure Valley and creating a community that is healthier both physically and mentally.

We truly appreciate your role in helping our program grow. If you need any further information regarding our 2009 grant please contact us at (208) 388-4687 or info@gotr.org."

Way to support a great organization, Little Black Dress Club members!

Potluck Brunch on Sunday, February 28!

Join us for a potluck brunch on February 28 at 12:30 p.m.! Louise has graciously offered to host a lovely brunch in her home and is asking for each participant to bring a small dish to share! For more information on attending this fun event, email us at littleblackdressclubboise@gmail.com!

Also we have a member of our group who is looking for books to add to her non-profit library assisting those in need. She is looking particularly for self-help, inspirational books however any book donated is a good book so if you have one or two you have been meaning to pass on here is your chance! Bring your books to the brunch event!

Hope to see you soon!

LBDC attends "If These Walls Could Talk," at the WCA

LBDC toured the Women's and Children's Alliance (WCA) on January 26 -- what an amazing experience! Last year the WCA provided 10,552 bed nights in their safe shelter for women and children escaping violence.

If weren't able to attend, the same tour is offered monthly. Tours are held from noon to 1 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of the month. Upcoming tours are February 8th, March 8th, April 12, and June 14. E-mail Susan Kelley, skelley@wcaboise.org, for more information or to reserve a place. They will even feed you lunch! If you have a lunch hour, free we encourage everyone to take the tour. Learn more about the WCA at www.wcaboise.org.

Learning Lab Lunch for Literacy, February 5 at noon

Join the Little Black Dress Club at the Learning Lab Lunch for Literacy luncheon and auction. This is a really fun event that benefits Learning Lab, the Treasure Valley's leading nonprofit adult basic skills and family literacy center!In addition to a delicious lunch, the event also features:

• A silent auction of fabulous first edition signed books and unique, themed baskets
• A moving speech from a Learning Lab student
• A guest author’s talk about the importance of literacy and learning
• A door prize drawing

There are eight seats available at the LBDC table and Sam has offered to be our table captain. If you'd like to attend and sit at the LBDC table, please email littleblackdressclubboise@gmail.com to let us know. We'll confirm there's a seat available and let you know how to buy your ticket.

• Event: Learning Lab's Lunch for LiteracyDate: Friday, Feb. 5
• Time: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (cocktails & auction 11 a.m.-12 p.m., luncheon and guest speakers 12-1:30 p.m.)
• Location: Boise CentreTicket Price: $50.00Web Site for More Information:
• http://www.learninglabinc.org/what-we-do/lunch-for-literacy.htm

We hope you'll be able to attend this fun and fabulous event with LBDC!

"If These Walls Could Talk," January 26, 5:30 p.m.

Undoubtedly, with the start of this new decade, we all have made resolutions...and because you are a member of the Little Black Dress Club, I would be surprised if you haven't thought briefly about becoming more involved in your community.

We are being given a wonderful opportunity to do just that, with a special invitation to take a tour of the the Women's and Children's Alliance, entitled "If These Walls Could Talk." This one-hour tour consists of descriptions of the services offered through the WCA, local statistics of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and finally, how we can help women and children through volunteering with this organization. If there is interest after the tour we can walk downtown to share conversation and perhaps a drink.

Tuesday, January 26, 5:30 p.m.
Women's and Children's Alliance
720 W. Washington, Boise

If you haven't received an Evite and would like to attend, please drop us a note at littleblackdressclubboise@gmail.com so we will know how many will be in attendance.

See you there!

Food, Friends and Fun at November House Party!

On Sunday, Nov. 15, about 25 ladies of Little Black Dress Club got together for a brunch filled with friends, fun and lots of food! Guests enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by LBDC members, sipped mimosas and learned more about the club and upcoming events. A special thanks to the ladies who became new members the brunch--we are excited you will be joining us for more friends, fun and philanthropy!

November Brunch House Party!

Put on your little black dress and join us for Little Black Dress Club's November brunch house party! Member Stephanie McCurdy is opening her home on Sunday, November 15, to members and prospective members for a fabulous brunch gathering celebrating fun, friends, and philanthropy! This is a great opportunity to visit with fellow LBDC members and get an update on club activities and upcoming holiday events. Please bring any friends you think might be interested in learning more about LBDC!Brunch items and refreshments will be served. If you'd like to bring something to add to the table, please do!

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, November 15! If you didn't receive an evite, drop us a note at littleblackdressclubboise@gmail.com!

Join us at the Festival of Trees Fashion Show and Luncheon!

Little Black Dress Club is doing a table at the Festival of Trees fashion show and luncheon. This is a really fun event and a great way to keep the holiday momentum going! There are nine seats available at the LBDC table and SAM has offered to coordinate the ticket payments (so we'll all be seated together). If you'd like to attend and sit at the LBDC table, please email to let us know. We'll confirm there's a seat available and let you know where to send payment for your ticket.

Event: Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees Fashion Show and Luncheon
Date: Monday, Nov. 30
Time: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (cocktails 11 a.m.-12 p.m., lunch/fashion show 12-1:30 p.m.)
Location: Boise Centre
Ticket Price: $50.00

Web Site for More Information: http://saintalphonsus.org/pdf/FOT-FashionShow.pdf
We hope you'll be able to attend this fun and fabulous event with LBDC!

Reserve Your Space for the LBDC Holiday Boutique Sale!

It is time for the second annual Little Black Dress Club Holiday Boutique Sale. For those of you who need a reminder, this is the sale we hosted last year for women to sell either their hand-crafted art or their boutique products, such as handbags or candles. The date we have selected is December 15th and the location will be in the Linen District! More details will follow as the time grows near.

In the mean time, we wanted to call out to all members who might want to sell their wares. The opportunity to participate in this sale is open first to members of the organization (commitment by November 15th) and then to non-members. If you are not current on your membership, there is still time to renew and to save your spot before others are considered as vendors. In-line with last year's sale, we request a 10 percent donation back to the club; however, there isn't a table fee.

Please contact Tracy Bresina at tracylfowler@yahoo.com to reserve your space. We look forward to being able to support our local artists!

Little Black Dress Club Cooks Up Auction Winner Dinner

On Saturday, October 17, Little Black Dress Club steering committee members Lisa Bosworth, Tracy Bresina, Hilarie Engle, Kristin Matthews and Stephanie McCurdy cooked and served a very special salmon dinner for LBDC supporters Tammy and Mark Masarik. Tammy and Mark won the dinner for six in the silent auction at last April’s Black Dress Ball.

Tammy and Mark invited four of their friends to enjoy the six course meal with them. On the menu was hot artichoke dip, roasted tomato caprese salad, squash soup, honey mustard marinated salmon with pan seared rosemary apples, mashed sweet potatoes and chocolate mousse pie with cocoa whipped cream for dessert. All plates were cleaned!

Tammy and Mark were also kind enough to allow us time to tell the group about Little Black Dress Club. We shared with them how the group was formed, the variety of women who are members and our volunteer and fundraising efforts. We also highlighted our first year grants and grant recipients.

Thank you again to Mark and Tammy for their generous support of Little Black Dress Club! We are glad to count you as partners in making philanthropy accessible and fun!

July 21st House Party is a Success!

The Little Black Dress Club house party held on July 21st and graciously hosted by Jennifer Neil was a success! Watch for more details on our September house party!

Black Dress Ball, April 4!

Put on your little black dress and join us for the Black Dress Ball--Little Black Dress Club's one year anniversary gala! This is a fabulous night celebrating our first year of fun, friends and philanthropy!

Come see how much Little Black Dress Club has accomplished in its inaugural year! Enjoy dinner, drinks, live music, a great silent auction and other fun surprises. Meet the grantees from our first year grants cycle.

Event: Black Dress Ball
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. (doors/no-host bar at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.)
Location: 5115 Boutique
5115 Gage Street, Boise
(just off Orchard near Emerald)

Tickets to the Black Dress Ball are $25.00 and the celebration is open to all--members and non-members alike. Spouses and friends are welcome! Festive attire and little black dresses are encouraged!

To buy your tickets for the Black Dress Ball, please mail a check, payable to Little Black Dress Club, to:

Little Black Dress Club
c/o Hilarie Engle
3182 Gekeler Ln
Boise ID 83706
(Please also indicate who will be attending with you)

We look forward to celebrating with you at the Black Dress Ball on April 4!

Little Black Dress Club Feb. Update

Thank you to everyone who attended the very first Little Black Dress Club house party! Member Kristin Matthews was kind enough to open her house for the event, and it was a great time!

Our second house party will be in May at Lisa Bosworth's, followed by another in July at Jennifer Neill's. Once dates are pinned down we will let everyone know. If you're interested in hosting a house party, we would love to hear from you at littleblackdressclubboise@gmail.com or through the club's Facebook page.

Also, if you're interested in helping on the membership or volunteer committees, please let us know.

Our grant deadline was Friday, Feb. 13. At the time of the house party, we had seven applications and anticipated a few more before the close of business on deadline day. The grants committee will review applications and choose the top three to five to send out to general membership for voting. We anticipate awarding two five-thousand dollar grants and one three-thousand dollar grant, for a total of $13,000. That's an amazing amount for a first-year organization, and we should all be very proud of what we've accomplished and how many people we're going to help!

A couple more key dates to keep in mind:

The Little Black Dress Ball is coming up on Saturday, April 4. This is our one-year anniversary gala and celebration of grantees. There will be food, music and lots of fun. This is a "plus one" event and spouses and friends are welcome. Tickets will be $25.00 and we will have more information on how to purchase, as well as more specifics on event time and location, in the near future.

And finally, April is the time to renew your Little Black Dress Club membership. And if you have friends who have expressed interest in the club, April is the time for them to join! We are trying to get everyone on the same renewal date for bookkeeping purposes. If you're already on a payment plan with the ICF, you will automatically renew unless you tell them otherwise. If the card they have on file for your membership payment is going to expire, please give them a call with an alternate payment method.

Thank you for being part of Little Black Dress Club. Together we have done amazing things in our first year, and next year promises to be just as fun and filled with friends and philanthropy!

Little Black Dress Club Grant Application

Little Black Dress Club
2009 Annual Application Form

Application Deadline is February 1, 2009

Organization Information

Organization Name

Address

City

County

Zip

Primary Contact

Title

Phone

Email

Website

Organization Purpose/Mission

Federal Taxpayer ID #

Amount Requested

Total Operating Budget

Percent of operating expenses of total budget

Percent of budget from United Way

Date organization founded

Organization Information cont.

Complete the sentence: “If awarded, the funds will be used to


Little Black Dress Club provides grants to help underwrite general operating expenses and fund program expenses. Please describe the programs your organization provides to serve low and moderate-income families in Ada and/or Canyon Counties. Please limit your response to no more than 2 pages (12 pt. font).


Describe how your organization collaborates with other community organizations List any collaborating organizations.


Address how your organization meets identified community needs and priorities.


Please describe how funding from the Little Black Dress Club will help your organization serve Ada and/or Canyon Counties.


Describe the number and population(s) your organization serves.


List of major funding sources


Please provide a one paragraph summary of your organization and how it meets individuals, families and community needs.


Please provide a list of your organization’s board members


TO SUBMIT:
Email the following:
Completed application form
501(c)3 letter from the IRS or nonprofit designation as a governmental or tribal entity
Most recent financial statement*
Current organizational operating budget
Most recent 990 statement*

*For start-up organizations (up to 18 months old), recent financial statements and 990 statements are not required.

Applications must be received by February 1, 2009. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Email completed applications to littleblackdressclubboise@gmail.com

You may expand the table as needed to complete your information.

Little Black Dress Club Grant Guidelines

Mission Statement:
The Little Black Dress Club of Boise is a community-based women’s giving circle focused on providing financial operational support of charitable programs and activities.

GRANT MAKING CRITERIA

What types of organizations will Little Black Dress give to?

Little Black Dress Club (LBD) will make grants to recognized public organizations that qualify as 501(c)3 charities according to the IRS. These charities shall be located and provide services in either Ada or Canyon Counties in the state of Idaho. The charities must be in full compliance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act. The public charities may be, but are not limited to:

Public charities may be institutions, organization or agencies providing services designed to improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income individuals, families in the communities they serve.

It is the intention of the LBD to make awards to non-profit organizations located in either Ada or Canyon County who have:

Annual budgets or reported gifts on IRS form 990 of less than $1,000,000
Operating expense needs for:
salaries
supplies
travel
continuing education
office rental/lease
Provide services in Ada and Canyon Counties in the following areas:
Arts and Culture
Education
Human Rights
Social Services

Who will LBD not give to?

LBD will not make grants to:

Political campaigns
Organizations that exist to influence legislation and voting
Organizations that discriminate against any group
Organizations suspected of (or known to be) engaging in criminal, terrorist, or other illicit behavior
Affiliated organizations of national or international non profits, unless the affiliated organization operates under an independent business license and budget under $1,000,00
Religious organizations, unless it offers particular program or programs benefiting a large portion of a community without regard to religious affiliation and does not duplicate the work of other agencies in the community.

Application Process

Applicants must submit

Completed application form
501(c)3 letter from the IRS or nonprofit designation as a governmental or tribal entity
Most recent financial statement*
Most recent 990 statement*
Current organizational operating budget

Completed applications must be received no later than Feburary 1, 2009. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please email completed applications to littleblackdressclubboise@gmail.com.

Questions may be addressed to littleblackdressclubboise@gmail.com.

*For start-up organizations (up to 18 months old), recent financial statements and 990 statements are not required.

Little Black Dress Club of Boise (LBD)
Women’s Giving Circle in the Idaho Community Foundation

Little Black Dress Club: Members Only Social

The Little Black Dress Club members only social on Monday, September 29th, was a smashing success! About 25 LBDC ladies attended the event at the Falcon Tavern, where the Steering Committee updated everyone on membership, upcoming social activities and grants. Of course, all enjoyed appetizers and drinks as well!

Little Black Dress Club welcomed two new members the day of the social, including our 50th! That meets the goal we set in April of 50 members in our first year. We love meeting goals six months early! Thank you to all of you fabulous women committed to fun and philanthropy!

Catie, Jessica and Lisa

Membership gets the update

Catie and Jessica

Christine and Kara

Tracy H. and Lisa B. enjoy a laugh together

Enjoying the Grants Committee report

Kelly, Beth and Kimberlee

Special sisters! 50th member Stephanie and sister Cindy

Monica updates on general business

Amy, Lauren and Danielle

Everyone enjoying drinks and apps

Bone Marrow Donor Drive, August 9th

There is a bone marrow donor drive on Saturday, August 9, downtown at Boise City Hall, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's FREE and all it takes is a cheek swab. St. Al's closed their donor donation this spring and St. Luke's is closing in September. People can hit the Farmer's Market and then go to the event!

Little Black Dress Club member Kimberlee Bratcher says, "In 1990, my best friend and I road-tripped to Sacramento, California to the nearest bone marrow registry site. Though it’s been 18 years, I’ve never been called to donate. But the registry has kept track of me through 8 different moves and I wait for the day that I’m called to potentially save a life."

Little Black Dress Club in the St. Luke's Women's Fitness Celebration

Little Black Dress Club has created a team for the St. Luke's Women's Fitness Celebration. Our team is open to anyone who would like to do the event with Little Black Dress Club, member or not!

To participate, go to http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1540465&action=ct and select "regular team registration." On the next page, select "Little Black Dress Club" from the team pull-down menu. We all need to be signed up by Sept. 5th.

On event day we will be meeting on the steps of the Old Post Office on the corner of 8th and Bannock, time to be determined (we'll send out an email to team members). We hope you can join us for this fun event!

Little Black Dress Club Lends an "Extra Hand" for ALS

This past Saturday Little Black Dress Club members had the privilege of doing a volunteer project for Sharon, a wonderful woman with ALS who needed a little help around the house. We washed windows inside and out, and planted some pretty, colorful flowers in the yard.

Thanks to Sharon's awesome grandson Jason for all of his help, and to Fred Meyer for providing the flowers at half-price. Thanks also to Sharon's neighbors Jim and Travis, who came over to fix Jason's basketball hoop!

L to R: SAM, Tracy, Hilarie, Sharon, Joanna and Idoia

Michelle and Idoia

Camille and Jason

Hilarie, Joanna and Tracy