What We Do ~ GFWC Club Manual and More
The GFWC clubs work on programs in their communities, their state, their country, and internationally.
Clubs follow the suggested guidelines from GFWC as outlined in the GFWC Club Manual.
Follow these steps to access the GFWC Club Manual through the GFWC Member Portal.
Clubs follow the suggested guidelines from GFWC as outlined in the GFWC Club Manual.
Follow these steps to access the GFWC Club Manual through the GFWC Member Portal.
NEW ~ UNITY Projects ~ NEW
The 2026-2028 UNITY Projects are projects that make a visual, physical, or emotional impact at the grassroots level. They are projects that bring awareness to what GFWC volunteering is all about. Public relations and media play a large part in these UNITY Projects. Be sure to share your program/project through the internet, newspaper articles, social media, blog posts, radio, and television. Make an impact that will ensure your community members want to be a part of such a passionate group of women making good things happen.
GFWC incorporated the Honorary Chairmen Program to bring experts in the field to our club members, enhancing and elevating our scope of volunteer work while assisting and advancing the administration’s goals. They are selected through recommendations from members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
2026-2028 Honorary Chairmen:
2026-2028 Honorary Chairmen:
- Leadership ~ Dr. Jax Black
- Juniors' Special Program: Advocates for Children ~ Chris Newlin, MS LPC
- Health and Wellness ~ Judith Pearson
- Environment ~ Anna Rathmann
- Civic Engagement and Outreach ~ CWH Phyllis J. Wilson, USA, Retired
GFWC Special Programs and Community Service Programs
GFWC Signature Program:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention
The goal of the GFWC Signature Program is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic abuse in communities across the nation by working with national domestic violence networks, supporting existing activities, working with various established programs, and initiating educational opportunities for club members and local citizens. GFWC aims to be a powerful voice for victims and survivors.
The Signature Program has eight areas of focus:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention
The goal of the GFWC Signature Program is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic abuse in communities across the nation by working with national domestic violence networks, supporting existing activities, working with various established programs, and initiating educational opportunities for club members and local citizens. GFWC aims to be a powerful voice for victims and survivors.
The Signature Program has eight areas of focus:
- Campus Sexual Assault
- Child Abuse
- Elder Abuse
- Human Trafficking for Sexual Purposes
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Military Sexual Assault
- Teen Dating Violence
- Violence Against Native American Women
As part of the GFWC Signature Program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention, the GFWC Success For Survivors Scholarship was created in 2012 to lend a helping hand to those impacted by intimate partner violence who are pursuing higher education. The scholarship aims to provide survivors with a means to achieve both financial and personal independence. Since its inception, GFWC has awarded more than $97,500 in scholarship funds.
►Click here for details about the 2027 scholarship.
Click here for the application ~ Deadline is February 10, 2027. (To be updated soon)
►Click here for details about the 2027 scholarship.
Click here for the application ~ Deadline is February 10, 2027. (To be updated soon)
GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children
GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children is designed to encourage all Woman’s, Junior Woman’s, Juniorette, and International Affiliate Clubs to make a difference in the life of a child by being an advocate. The program was envisioned as a way for clubwomen to provide a voice for children and to teach and encourage parents and other caregivers to advocate for children at the grassroots level.
Clubwomen can be an advocate by working to:
GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children is designed to encourage all Woman’s, Junior Woman’s, Juniorette, and International Affiliate Clubs to make a difference in the life of a child by being an advocate. The program was envisioned as a way for clubwomen to provide a voice for children and to teach and encourage parents and other caregivers to advocate for children at the grassroots level.
Clubwomen can be an advocate by working to:
- Ensure that children are protected from harmful situations.
- Encourage healthy physical and emotional lifestyles.
- Impact policy to improve children’s lives
- Sunday, October 25, to Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Sunday, October 24, to Saturday, October 30, 2027
Arts and Culture Community Service Program
The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program aims to bring people together, spark creativity, and preserve the stories and traditions that shape who we are. Combined, the two are subjects of study primarily concerned with the processes and products of human creativity and social life, such as languages, literature, imagination, development of the technical ability to create something from nothing, and the capacity to bridge the things that separate us from one another: age, education, location, religion, or economic disparity.
► UNITY Project: The Octopus Challenge
The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program aims to bring people together, spark creativity, and preserve the stories and traditions that shape who we are. Combined, the two are subjects of study primarily concerned with the processes and products of human creativity and social life, such as languages, literature, imagination, development of the technical ability to create something from nothing, and the capacity to bridge the things that separate us from one another: age, education, location, religion, or economic disparity.
► UNITY Project: The Octopus Challenge
Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program
The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each member is part of a larger society and we are responsible for taking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. GFWC focuses on addressing issues of public concern.
Citizenship; Crime Prevention, Safety, Disaster Preparedness, the Needy, Hungry, and Homeless; and Military Personnel and Veterans are just a few suggestions for areas of concern impacted by GFWC clubwomen during its history as well as today.
► UNITY Project: Save the Beat! ~ Learn. Act. Save.
The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each member is part of a larger society and we are responsible for taking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. GFWC focuses on addressing issues of public concern.
Citizenship; Crime Prevention, Safety, Disaster Preparedness, the Needy, Hungry, and Homeless; and Military Personnel and Veterans are just a few suggestions for areas of concern impacted by GFWC clubwomen during its history as well as today.
► UNITY Project: Save the Beat! ~ Learn. Act. Save.
Education and Libraries Community Service Program
As GFWC members, we believe that access to books and education is fundamental for both children and adults. Through projects in the GFWC Education and Libraries Community Service Program, GFWC members champion literacy, support schools and educational institutions, strengthen libraries, and promote reading for children and adults alike.
In the 1930s, GFWC women’s clubs were credited by the American Library Association as having founded over 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries. Today, supporting local libraries continues to be a Federation priority. Above all, be supportive of your library and implement a project at your library that makes your club proud.
► UNITY Project: Unity Through Reading: Every Story Matters.
Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is an honorary educational society open to all per-capita dues paying GFWC members. The purpose of ESO is to provide clubwomen with a structural reading program, which is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement. Are you an ESO member?
As GFWC members, we believe that access to books and education is fundamental for both children and adults. Through projects in the GFWC Education and Libraries Community Service Program, GFWC members champion literacy, support schools and educational institutions, strengthen libraries, and promote reading for children and adults alike.
In the 1930s, GFWC women’s clubs were credited by the American Library Association as having founded over 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries. Today, supporting local libraries continues to be a Federation priority. Above all, be supportive of your library and implement a project at your library that makes your club proud.
► UNITY Project: Unity Through Reading: Every Story Matters.
Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is an honorary educational society open to all per-capita dues paying GFWC members. The purpose of ESO is to provide clubwomen with a structural reading program, which is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement. Are you an ESO member?
Environment Community Service Program
Continuing our legacy of environmental advocacy in the GFWC Environment Community Service Program is more important than ever; there is much we can do to preserve the world’s resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, beautify our communities, and enjoy nature. With many of the world’s scientists forecasting a climate emergency, we are called upon to act now. It is vitally important that we do our part to care for and heal our planet.
► UNITY Project: The Right Plant in the Right Place
Continuing our legacy of environmental advocacy in the GFWC Environment Community Service Program is more important than ever; there is much we can do to preserve the world’s resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, beautify our communities, and enjoy nature. With many of the world’s scientists forecasting a climate emergency, we are called upon to act now. It is vitally important that we do our part to care for and heal our planet.
► UNITY Project: The Right Plant in the Right Place
Health and Wellness Community Service Program
This Health and Wellness Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of disease prevention, nutrition, physical, and emotional well-being.
• Disease awareness and prevention involve understanding the causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent diseases, including social determinants and health inequity. This includes screenings, vaccinations, and sharing information.
• Nutrition is a key element in the quest for good health. Wise food choices, proper usage of vitamins and supplements, and food allergy awareness help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Physical and emotional care encompass behaviors to manage a healthy body, mind, and spirit throughout life. This includes physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and social well-being.
► UNITY Project: Move for a Healthier You
This Health and Wellness Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of disease prevention, nutrition, physical, and emotional well-being.
• Disease awareness and prevention involve understanding the causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent diseases, including social determinants and health inequity. This includes screenings, vaccinations, and sharing information.
• Nutrition is a key element in the quest for good health. Wise food choices, proper usage of vitamins and supplements, and food allergy awareness help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Physical and emotional care encompass behaviors to manage a healthy body, mind, and spirit throughout life. This includes physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and social well-being.
► UNITY Project: Move for a Healthier You
GFWC Advancement Plans
Because of the integral nature of the GFWC Advancement Plans, these plans are recognized as core Advancement areas of any successful program. Each of these areas has advancement section in the GFWC Club Manual.
You can sign into the GFWC Member Portal to access.
Communications and Public Relations Advancement Plan
Today, Communications and Public Relations entails a Four-Step Process which is planning, strategizing, executing, and evaluating tactics used to get your message out. What is a tactic? Some tactical forms include using visual, written, digital, and audible forms of communication. For your club to become even more efficient and resourceful, you must consider taking the time to develop and execute a marketing communications plan, one that encompasses the Four Step Process to effectively engage your members, prospects, and your local community leaders.
► UNITY Project: GFWC Media Makers Project: "Creating, Capturing and Communicating the Power of GFWC"
Corporate Partners and Development Advancement Plan
The GFWC Corporate Partners and Development Committee is dedicated to building and strengthening relationships with businesses and organizations that share GFWC’s mission of community improvement through volunteer service. Corporate sponsorships can provide valuable benefits to clubs at every level: local, district, state, and international, including financial support, in-kind donations, and opportunities to enhance club projects and programs.
Fundraising Advancement Plan
Fundraising plays a vital role in your efforts to make a difference in your community, club, and with club members. Fundraisers provide an opportunity to work with others in your community to support local projects, charitable causes, affiliate organizations, your club’s community service and outreach projects, or GFWC. Successful fundraising can increase your club’s visibility in the community, foster cooperation, provide a sense of accomplishment, cultivate pride and ownership in the organization, and create life-long friendships — all while building a stronger and better club.
► UNITY Project: Voices of Service
► GFWC ENDORSED FUNDRAISER: LADY JANE
The Lady Jayne collection is an economical way to accessorize in today’s market by using interchangeable
GFWC emblem charms. The same charms can be used in earrings, pendants, bracelets, or necklaces and are
easily changed from one to another. Twelve percent of GFWC emblem purchases will benefit GFWC.
To purchase or order for your own fundraising from Lady Jayne, Ltd., go to GFWC’s page or use this link.
Leadership Advancement Plan
This Leadership Advancement Plan contains valuable information, including practical ideas and resources to assist states, districts, and clubs in developing leadership skills in their members. Whatever talent you use, leadership always involves taking risks, being innovative, and promoting new directions. Some may talk about being born leaders, but most of us learn how to be a strong leader, and we should never stop learning and stretching. Just as “management” as a philosophy has evolved through the years into “leadership,” there has also been a growing realization that leadership development involves personal growth and improvement and influencing and fostering others.
► Download the Leadership Toolkit for more leadership development, resource materials, and information.
► UNITY Project: Leadership Training Program: Developing Members to Leaders
► Leadership Education and Development Seminar (LEADS)
(Massachusetts LEADS applicants please fill out the Massachusetts form under Women's Clubs, GFWC MA Program Information)
Legislation/Public Policy Advancement Plan
For more than 135 years, GFWC members have raised awareness and advocated for change though Legislation/Public Policy. GFWC members’ advocacy efforts are focused on the needs of women and children. Over the years, GFWC members worked to pass laws affecting highway safety, juvenile justice, women’s equality, the rights of the disabled, education reform, health care, and increased resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Our empathetic members utilize public policy advocacy to seek solutions to local, state, and national concerns. Our advocacy efforts are based upon our resolutions adopted by delegates during the annual convention. Our efforts can change lives!
►The Legislative Action Center is a national network of grassroots advocates working together to improve the lives of club members, their communities, our nation, and the global community.
► UNITY Project: Legislative BINGO
Membership Advancement Plan
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is proudly represented in thousands of communities around the world by dedicated volunteers who work to better the lives of others, make cities and towns better places to live, and extend the hand of friendship to those near and far. Our Membership consists of individuals of diverse talents, interests, and backgrounds united by a dedication to community improvement through volunteer service. GFWC offers a network of support for more than 63,000 members who volunteer on a local, state, national, and international level. Working together, we constitute a powerful, service-oriented organization that encourages volunteerism through training and coaching, leadership opportunities, personal enrichment, and many other benefits. Various GFWC resources, from members-only materials to legislative alerts, support individuals and clubs in their volunteer efforts.
► Download the Membership Toolkit for more membership development, resource materials, and information.
► UNITY Project: UNITY Membership Challenge
GFWC Juniorette Member and Club Membership Advancement Plan
One is never too old, and one is never too young to make a difference. GFWC’s Juniorettes are an example of how the call to do community service can be answered at any age.
A Juniorette Club offers its members the following opportunities:
• To contribute to a meaningful community life.
• To learn the pleasures and rewards of working with a group.
• To develop leadership skills.
• To become aware of community problems and how they could be remedied.
• To learn how to become advocates through civic engagement.
► UNITY Project: Collaborating for Community Success
The Women's History and Resource Center (WHRC) Advancement Plan
Since the Federation’s founding in 1890, GFWC members have understood the historic significance of the organization’s mission to improve communities through volunteer service. The Women’s History and Resource Center (WHRC) of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, officially opened at GFWC Headquarters in Washington, DC, on May 1, 1984. The WHRC was designed to preserve and better document GFWC history and members’ work on club, state, national, and international levels, and to promote and document volunteerism. Regardless of the focus of a community service project, it can benefit from a historical perspective. The WHRC strives to educate and inspire GFWC members and potential members, the research community, and the public to explore the rich, historical role of women volunteers through GFWC’s expansive collections.
► UNITY Project: "Her" Stories Shape our Future
► view the PowerPoint: This Old House: Our Home at 1734 N Street
► follow along with the accompanying script
► Check out the GFWC WHRC Blog, a new monthly blog series where highlighted stories of General Federation history comes from the archival, photographs, and artifact collections. There will be a new post the first Thursday of each month!
Because of the integral nature of the GFWC Advancement Plans, these plans are recognized as core Advancement areas of any successful program. Each of these areas has advancement section in the GFWC Club Manual.
You can sign into the GFWC Member Portal to access.
Communications and Public Relations Advancement Plan
Today, Communications and Public Relations entails a Four-Step Process which is planning, strategizing, executing, and evaluating tactics used to get your message out. What is a tactic? Some tactical forms include using visual, written, digital, and audible forms of communication. For your club to become even more efficient and resourceful, you must consider taking the time to develop and execute a marketing communications plan, one that encompasses the Four Step Process to effectively engage your members, prospects, and your local community leaders.
► UNITY Project: GFWC Media Makers Project: "Creating, Capturing and Communicating the Power of GFWC"
Corporate Partners and Development Advancement Plan
The GFWC Corporate Partners and Development Committee is dedicated to building and strengthening relationships with businesses and organizations that share GFWC’s mission of community improvement through volunteer service. Corporate sponsorships can provide valuable benefits to clubs at every level: local, district, state, and international, including financial support, in-kind donations, and opportunities to enhance club projects and programs.
Fundraising Advancement Plan
Fundraising plays a vital role in your efforts to make a difference in your community, club, and with club members. Fundraisers provide an opportunity to work with others in your community to support local projects, charitable causes, affiliate organizations, your club’s community service and outreach projects, or GFWC. Successful fundraising can increase your club’s visibility in the community, foster cooperation, provide a sense of accomplishment, cultivate pride and ownership in the organization, and create life-long friendships — all while building a stronger and better club.
► UNITY Project: Voices of Service
► GFWC ENDORSED FUNDRAISER: LADY JANE
The Lady Jayne collection is an economical way to accessorize in today’s market by using interchangeable
GFWC emblem charms. The same charms can be used in earrings, pendants, bracelets, or necklaces and are
easily changed from one to another. Twelve percent of GFWC emblem purchases will benefit GFWC.
To purchase or order for your own fundraising from Lady Jayne, Ltd., go to GFWC’s page or use this link.
Leadership Advancement Plan
This Leadership Advancement Plan contains valuable information, including practical ideas and resources to assist states, districts, and clubs in developing leadership skills in their members. Whatever talent you use, leadership always involves taking risks, being innovative, and promoting new directions. Some may talk about being born leaders, but most of us learn how to be a strong leader, and we should never stop learning and stretching. Just as “management” as a philosophy has evolved through the years into “leadership,” there has also been a growing realization that leadership development involves personal growth and improvement and influencing and fostering others.
► Download the Leadership Toolkit for more leadership development, resource materials, and information.
► UNITY Project: Leadership Training Program: Developing Members to Leaders
► Leadership Education and Development Seminar (LEADS)
(Massachusetts LEADS applicants please fill out the Massachusetts form under Women's Clubs, GFWC MA Program Information)
Legislation/Public Policy Advancement Plan
For more than 135 years, GFWC members have raised awareness and advocated for change though Legislation/Public Policy. GFWC members’ advocacy efforts are focused on the needs of women and children. Over the years, GFWC members worked to pass laws affecting highway safety, juvenile justice, women’s equality, the rights of the disabled, education reform, health care, and increased resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Our empathetic members utilize public policy advocacy to seek solutions to local, state, and national concerns. Our advocacy efforts are based upon our resolutions adopted by delegates during the annual convention. Our efforts can change lives!
►The Legislative Action Center is a national network of grassroots advocates working together to improve the lives of club members, their communities, our nation, and the global community.
► UNITY Project: Legislative BINGO
Membership Advancement Plan
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is proudly represented in thousands of communities around the world by dedicated volunteers who work to better the lives of others, make cities and towns better places to live, and extend the hand of friendship to those near and far. Our Membership consists of individuals of diverse talents, interests, and backgrounds united by a dedication to community improvement through volunteer service. GFWC offers a network of support for more than 63,000 members who volunteer on a local, state, national, and international level. Working together, we constitute a powerful, service-oriented organization that encourages volunteerism through training and coaching, leadership opportunities, personal enrichment, and many other benefits. Various GFWC resources, from members-only materials to legislative alerts, support individuals and clubs in their volunteer efforts.
► Download the Membership Toolkit for more membership development, resource materials, and information.
► UNITY Project: UNITY Membership Challenge
GFWC Juniorette Member and Club Membership Advancement Plan
One is never too old, and one is never too young to make a difference. GFWC’s Juniorettes are an example of how the call to do community service can be answered at any age.
A Juniorette Club offers its members the following opportunities:
• To contribute to a meaningful community life.
• To learn the pleasures and rewards of working with a group.
• To develop leadership skills.
• To become aware of community problems and how they could be remedied.
• To learn how to become advocates through civic engagement.
► UNITY Project: Collaborating for Community Success
The Women's History and Resource Center (WHRC) Advancement Plan
Since the Federation’s founding in 1890, GFWC members have understood the historic significance of the organization’s mission to improve communities through volunteer service. The Women’s History and Resource Center (WHRC) of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, officially opened at GFWC Headquarters in Washington, DC, on May 1, 1984. The WHRC was designed to preserve and better document GFWC history and members’ work on club, state, national, and international levels, and to promote and document volunteerism. Regardless of the focus of a community service project, it can benefit from a historical perspective. The WHRC strives to educate and inspire GFWC members and potential members, the research community, and the public to explore the rich, historical role of women volunteers through GFWC’s expansive collections.
► UNITY Project: "Her" Stories Shape our Future
► view the PowerPoint: This Old House: Our Home at 1734 N Street
► follow along with the accompanying script
► Check out the GFWC WHRC Blog, a new monthly blog series where highlighted stories of General Federation history comes from the archival, photographs, and artifact collections. There will be a new post the first Thursday of each month!
To see the ways in which GFWC Massachusetts Clubs implement these programs,
check out our Massachusetts Program Information page (under Members)!
check out our Massachusetts Program Information page (under Members)!
GFWC Contests and other info from the GFWC Club Manual
Contests:
Contests:
- GFWC Newsletter Contest
- GFWC Photography Contests ~ The World in Pictures Contest: Our Living World, Places Here and There, State Pride and GFWC Living the Volunteer Spirit Contest
- GFWC Website Contest
- GFWC Writing Contests ~ Member and Youth
- Creative Arts Waiver ~ needed for GFWC contest in Writing
- GFWC Annual Giving Program
- GFWC Community Impact Program Award (awarded on the even calendar year)
- In-kind donation guide ~ used with the statistical sheet for donated goods value
- GFWC Deadlines for Awards and Contests
- GFWC Jane C. Crowly Award
- GFWC Jennie Award
- GFWC Membership Grant application ~ GFWC grants are available to clubs to assist with recruitment efforts and to State/District of Columbia Federations to assist in the development of a new membership recruitment project/campaign at the state level. Designated for each GFWC fiscal year, which begins July 1 and ends June 30, GFWC offers $50 to clubs for member recruitment programs and $100 to State Federations for new state-level membership projects/campaigns. To apply, download the Membership Grant Application for clubs or State/District of Columbia Federations, found in the Membership Recruitment Toolkit, from the Digital Library on the Member Portal. Return the form to GFWC at least 45 days prior to the event. GFWC will award no more than one grant per club or State/District of Columbia Federation per GFWC fiscal year. If you have any questions or need help accessing the grant application, contact [email protected] or call 202-347-3168.
Partially excerpted from www.GFWC.org. © 2026 General Federation of Women's Clubs 202-347-3168 www.GFWC.org.
Used with permission. May not be reproduced for sale or profit.202-347-3168
Used with permission. May not be reproduced for sale or profit.202-347-3168