Women's League of Westport

What Women's League of Westport does

The Women's League of Westport is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1956 (formerly the Westport Young Women's League, rebranded 2024) and headquartered at 606 Post Road E., Westport, CT. It serves lower Fairfield County, Connecticut through member-driven fundraising, grantmaking to local nonprofits, and community service programs. The organization operates two signature fundraising events — CraftWestport (Connecticut's longest-running indoor fine crafts show, celebrating 50 years in 2025) and the 47th Annual Minute Man Race (a USATF-certified 10K/5K held at Compo Beach) — plus a Galentine's Day Bingo Night, with net proceeds distributed as grants to nonprofits focused on Quality Education, Good Health and Well-Being, and Underserved Women.

The underlying operating model is volunteer-led: membership is open to women aged 21+ in Fairfield County, and an elected Executive Board (President Bridget Flynn, VP Emma Quilhot, Treasurer Janine Burke, plus functional Directors) runs programs including the Grants Program, Community Service Programs, and Membership Program. The organization uses a small set of standard SaaS tools — QuickClick and Zeffy for donations, RunSignUp and FareHarbor for event registration, and role-specific email addresses ([email protected], [email protected], etc.) — with no proprietary technology stack.

Revenue comes from four streams: event fundraising (admission and participation fees), individual donations (tax-deductible under 501(c)(3) status), business sponsorships ($250–$5,000 across Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum tiers), and recurring membership dues. Since 1956, the organization reports raising and donating over $4.5 million to local charities through 700+ grants. Annual grant throughput was $90,000 to 31 organizations in 2022-23 and $65,000 to 9 organizations in 2023-24 following a deliberate program redesign toward fewer, larger grants.

Name

Women's League of Westport

Legal name

Women's League of Westport

Website

https://womensleagueofwestport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Women's League of Westport is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1956 that operates member-driven signature fundraising events (CraftWestport, Minute Man Race, Galentine's Bingo) and redistributes proceeds as grants to local nonprofits in lower Fairfield County, CT.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Nonprofit / Charitable Fundraising Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKACAE

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

Keywords

• Community fundraising events
• Nonprofit grants program
• Volunteer community service
• Charitable giving programs
• Local nonprofit support

Headquarters

HQ city

Westport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Fundraising: The organization generates revenue through two signature fundraising events: CraftWestport (Connecticut's longest-running indoor fine crafts event) and the Minute Man Race (certified USA Track and Field 10K and 5K run/walk). Net proceeds from these events are donated to local charitable organizations through the grants program.
2. Donations: Individual donors contribute to support the organization's mission of funding local nonprofits in lower Fairfield County. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making donations tax-deductible.
3. Event Sponsorships: Local businesses sponsor the Women's League events at various levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) ranging from $250 to $5,000, with discounted rates available for sponsoring both major events.
4. Membership Fees: The organization collects membership dues from women in Fairfield County who join as active members. Membership includes participation in volunteer activities, social events, and fundraising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Women's League of Westport is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs two signature community fundraisers — CraftWestport (Connecticut's longest-running indoor fine crafts event) and the Minute Man Race (a USA Track and Field-certified 10K/5K). Net proceeds from these events, along with individual donations and membership dues, are distributed as grants to nonprofit organizations in lower Fairfield County, CT. The organization also engages its women members in volunteer activities, social events, and community service such as food drives and charitable collections.

Product overview

Women's League of Westport is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as a single unified charitable entity offering member engagement and community service programs. The organization consists of several programmatic offerings: the Minute Man Race (annual running event), CraftWestport (annual fine crafts fair), Galentine's Day Bingo Night, a Grants Program distributing funds to local non-profits, Community Service Programs, and a Membership Program. These programs are interconnected through the organization's mission of building community through volunteerism, social activities, and fundraising for local charities, with proceeds from signature fundraisers supporting the grants program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Minute Man Race

Quantifiable outcome

• $4.5 million+ raised and donated to local charities since 1956
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, core, gold, media and silver.

• SaatvaplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Platinum sponsor of the 2026 Minute Man Race event, providing brand visibility and supporting the Women's League grants program.
• Performance Optimal HealthcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Registration Sponsor for the 2026 Minute Man Race, providing pre-race registration and bib pick-up services at their Norwalk location.
• CT Cellar DoorsgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold sponsor of CraftWestport event.
• Renewal by AndersongoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold sponsor of CraftWestport event.
• Pat SheagoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold sponsor of CraftWestport and Minute Man Race events.
• Sun RungoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold sponsor of CraftWestport event.
• Venture StudiosgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold sponsor of CraftWestport event.
• MEDi Weight LossgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold sponsor of CraftWestport event.
• On-SMDgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold sponsor of CraftWestport event.
• Moffly MediamediaGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Media sponsor for Galentine's Bingo Night event, providing promotional support and coverage.
• KindredsilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Silver sponsor for Galentine's Bingo Night event.
• Westport MagazinemediaGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Media sponsor providing promotional coverage for events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Westport Library: A major Westport-based nonprofit institution running annual fundraisers (gala, appeals) and serving the same donor and sponsor pool — useful comparable for local nonprofit fundraising mechanics.
• Breast Cancer Alliance: A Greenwich, CT-based women's philanthropic nonprofit raising funds through community events and awarding grants — same women's nonprofit / event-driven fundraising model, though focused on a single cause.
• Westport Weston Family YMCA: A community-based nonprofit serving Westport and Weston with membership fees, fundraising events (including a Turkey Trot), and local program grants — closely comparable in geography, membership-driven model, and annual event-based fundraising.

Others

• Zeffy: A free fundraising platform used by the League for online donations — not a peer but a technology infrastructure provider enabling the League's digital giving workflow.

Broad incumbents

• Fairfield County's Community Foundation: The largest community foundation serving Fairfield County, distributing grants to local nonprofits across the same geography. A scaled-up incumbent in the same local grantmaking space.
• Junior Leagues of Connecticut (state network): The Association of Junior Leagues International network of women's civic nonprofits — parent category of the Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County and a model for women's volunteer-led community fundraising.
• United Way of Coastal Fairfield County: A regional United Way affiliate covering the same coastal Fairfield County footprint, raising funds through workplace campaigns and community events to distribute to local nonprofits.

Direct peers

• Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County: A women's volunteer and civic nonprofit serving the same Fairfield County geography, also funding local charities through volunteer-led fundraisers and grants — directly comparable mission and operating model.
• Near & Far Aid Association: A 501(c)(3) women's philanthropic organization based in southern Connecticut that raises funds through member-led events to award grants to local nonprofits — directly comparable mission, structure, and event-driven model.

Emerging players

• CT Women's Hall of Fame: A Connecticut-based nonprofit focused on recognizing women's contributions and running community events — partial overlap as a women-focused civic nonprofit in the same state.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women's League of Westport