Spinsters of San Francisco + Edgewood: A Year of Partnership and Purpose

By Carolyn Smith and Raven Rainey

For the 2024–2025 year, Spinsters of San Francisco proudly partnered with Edgewood, a nonprofit at the forefront of youth mental health care in the Bay Area. Edgewood’s mission is to provide the people, place, and path for exceptional mental health support, offering residential programs, crisis stabilization, and community-based services that uplift children and families in need. With a legacy stretching back over a century, Edgewood continues to be a lifeline for thousands of young people—and Spinsters was honored to stand alongside them this year.

Spinsters supported Edgewood through three major fundraising events: Fleet or Flight, the Legacy Benefit, and SoSF’s Pickleball Classic. Together, these efforts raised $27,000 to benefit Edgewood’s Cottage Refresh Project, which will ensure that every youth who comes to the Vicente Street Campus is welcomed into a warm, beautiful, and restorative space. In the words of Raven Rainey of Edgewood:

“Edgewood is so grateful to be the Spinsters of San Francisco's Nonprofit Partner of the year for 2024–25. Expanding on a relationship that has been ongoing for dozens of years, we were pleased to welcome Spinsters at volunteer events at our Campus Centennial Celebration, Edgewood Fair, Phish concert, and several Beautification Days. The $27,000 raised will go to support our Cottage Refresh project, ensuring that all the youth who come to our Vicente Street Campus have a beautiful and welcoming space during their stay at Edgewood. Edgewood provides the people, place, and path for exceptional youth mental healthcare, and we are so grateful for the Spinsters' commitment to supporting our mission. We look forward to continuing our partnership.”

In addition to fundraising, Spinsters members were thrilled to participate in multiple volunteer events throughout the year. From painting and landscaping during Beautification Days, to supporting the Campus Centennial Celebration, Edgewood Fair Preview Party, and even volunteering at a Phish concert, our members had the opportunity to see firsthand the power and purpose behind Edgewood’s work. These events deepened our appreciation for the Edgewood team and the youth they serve.

As we close out the year, we celebrate not just the money raised or hours volunteered—but the deepened connection to a mission that matters. Spinsters of San Francisco is proud to be part of Edgewood’s community and looks forward to continuing this partnership in the years to come.

All About Recruitment: Beginning the Spinsters Journey

By Karen Datangel, Public Relations/Marketing Chair

Spinsters of San Francisco members volunteer at local nonprofits and nonprofit events like Holiday Heroes and take part in members-only social events like neighborhood potlucks.

You’re on our website (Hi there!), you see all the photos on our Instagram, or you might have even heard about us through your friend or co-worker. You’re thinking “These ladies look like they’re always having fun! How can I join this group?”

Well, you’re in luck! Now that we’ve turned to a new calendar year, Spinsters of San Francisco (SOSF) is beginning recruitment for the 2024-2025 New Member class. Whether you’ve had SOSF on your radar for a while or you just heard about us through Google, social media, or word of mouth, you may be wondering what SOSF Prospective New Member (PNM) Recruitment entails and what you need to do to become a member.

In this blog post, our Recruitment Team breaks down what to expect during Spinsters Recruitment and how to be eligible for membership.

The 2023-24 Spinsters Recruitment Team is Shelby Chase, Kelly Hulsing, and Kate Blach.

What was your Prospective New Member (PNM) recruitment experience like?

Shelby Chase (Membership Recruitment Director, 4th Year Member): I was a PNM when all recruitment events were virtual, but the Spinsters recruitment team made sure the events were engaging and still allowed PNMs to make meaningful connections with active members. I met an active member I clicked with during a virtual game night and later asked her to be my sponsor! She was more than happy to sponsor me through the recruitment process.

Kelly Hulsing (Membership Selection Committee [MSC] Co-Chair, 2nd Year Member): After recently moving to San Francisco, I was very excited to learn about a group of women who were not only focused on philanthropy, but social activities. Spinsters recruitment events gave me the opportunity to meet so many amazing women and explore all that San Francisco has to offer!

Kate Blach (MSC Co-Chair, 4th Year Member): I first learned about the Spinsters of San Francisco just a few weeks before the world shut down due to the pandemic. It was a time when we were all seeking connections and social interactions. The Spinsters had to be creative and engaging during this recruitment period. It was definitely a transition from interacting with Spinsters over Zoom to meeting people in person for the first time; most women were taller than I expected!

What are Spinsters recruitment events like?
Spinsters recruitment events will include many low-cost or free social gatherings such as happy hours, trivia nights, volunteer events, professional development events, outdoor activities, and so much more!

How many recruitment events will there be? How many events do I have to attend? What is the time commitment?
There will be around 20 recruitment events from the beginning of the recruitment season in February until the season ends in early June. You are only required to attend two events, but we welcome you to attend more! One of these events must be a volunteer event or Spinsters fundraiser.

Do PNMs have to register for events in advance?
Yes. Please register for every event you attend through the Eventbrite link for the event. Event details will be sent in our monthly newsletter and posted on our website and Instagram.

What are the eligibility requirements for PNMs?
To be eligible for membership, you must be:

• Female-identifying

• Between the ages of 21-35

• Currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Currently unmarried

• Must have a college degree or trade certification

Can I bring a friend to an event?
Yes! We would love to meet your friends who also meet the eligibility requirements. Please have them register for events through the Eventbrite.

SOSF partners with other San Francisco-based organizations like The Guardsmen on volunteer and social events, such as pumpkin carving at the Guardsmen Pumpkin Patch to celebrate Halloween.

What is a sponsor?
A sponsor is one of the requirements when applying to join Spinsters. There will be ample opportunities to find a sponsor. You’ll have many events throughout the spring to meet a variety of active members. All you have to do is ask an active member if they’re willing to sponsor you. Our members are excited to welcome new members! If you don’t feel comfortable asking somebody to sponsor you, feel free to reach out to the Membership Recruitment Director, MSC Co-Chairs, or an MSC member and they can introduce you to someone. It’s best to find a sponsor who you don’t already know so that you can meet more Spinsters!

When does the recruitment season end?
Our membership drive runs from February to June. PNMs can participate at any point throughout the process.

The deadline to submit an application and fulfill all requirements is Monday, June 3rd at 5:00pm. If accepted, you will be notified by the end of July and our Spinsters calendar year kicks off in August.

What advice do you have for Prospective New Members?
Kelly: Go to the events! I wholeheartedly believe that Spinsters is what you put into it. Continuously going to events gives you the opportunity to really connect with potential new members and SOSF members.
Kate: Be yourself! We want to get to know you. See you at the upcoming events.
Shelby: Don’t be afraid to talk to active Spinsters or ask questions at recruitment events. We are excited to have you attend our events and can’t wait to tell you about our incredible organization.

Ready to get started on your Spinsters journey?
You can fill out the application on our website. Once we receive your information, we’ll be in touch with information about the process and events as they’re confirmed.

We’re hosting our first event of the recruitment season, the PNM Information Session at Cigar Bar, on Thursday, February 1st. RSVP for the event if you can attend and be sure to share with any other eligible PNMs that are interested in Spinsters!

Have lingering questions? Review our 2024 Recruitment Guide for even more info. If the blog post and guide didn’t answer your question, the Membership Recruitment team is here to help! Email recruitment@sfspinsters.com and msc@sfspinsters.com to get in touch.

We look forward to seeing you this spring!

Women Supporting Women: SF Spinsters & San Francisco SafeHouse

By Carolyn Smith, Philanthropy Director, Spinsters of San Francisco & Ella Arnold, Communications Director, Spinsters of San Francisco

This year, Spinsters of San Francisco’s philanthropic partner is San Francisco SafeHouse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 with the mission of empowering and supporting “womxn who are experiencing housing instability and sexual exploitation or trafficking, by creating survivor-centered spaces, services, advocacy, and community education.” 

San Francisco SafeHouse is the only residential program in the city and one of a handful of organizations nationwide that works to address the needs of this unique population. 

Over its 25-year history, San Francisco SafeHouse has adapted its programs to support San Francisco’s changing populace. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco SafeHouse offered virtual services and food and supplies to its clients. It also started the Shelter-in-Place Hotel, which helped to protect homeless womxn from exposure to the virus as it spread rapidly in the city’s unhoused community. The following year, SF SafeHouse founded the Women’s Housing Coalition in partnership with like-minded organizations Mary Elizabeth Inn and Cameo House to better advocate for housing and support services specifically targeted to womxn. In 2022, San Francisco SafeHouse served 113 womxn and housed 82. The majority of those womxn had some form of cognitive, physical, or mental disability, were womxn of color, were homeless or marginally housed, or experienced sexual violence.

As an organization of professional women that aims to make a positive impact in the community through volunteering and fundraising events, Spinsters of San Francisco is proud to partner with San Francisco SafeHouse this year as SafeHouse gears up to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Our core values of philanthropy and community service align seamlessly with San Francisco Safe House's mission to provide a haven for women in need. Already this year, Spinsters has raised thousands of dollars for San Francisco SafeHouse from our first fundraising event, Fleet or Flight, and we are excited to continue our philanthropic efforts at our Legacy Benefit on March 9th, 2024, and our Kicks for a Cause event in Summer 2024. We will also be supporting San Francisco SafeHouse throughout the year by volunteering our time to help with administrative tasks, clothing and hygiene drives, and more.

Right now, like many other major cities, San Francisco’s most pressing issue is grappling with a significant homeless crisis. As a result, Spinsters feel there’s no better cause for us to serve this year. We are honored to support SF SafeHouse’s efforts to be a part of the solution. 

We look forward to a strong and fulfilling partnership between our two illustrious organizations that amplifies the collective strength of women supporting women!