Fundraisers

At the time of European settlement in the New World, the male-driven church and state together managed the governmental, economic, and social aspects of life. Church funds were gathered by a system of levies and donations. People in need, lacking other resources, became the responsibility of the community. The nineteenth century generally disrupted this tradition. As part of the shift to a more secular, mercantile, and urban culture in the north, male involvement was replaced by the fundraising of urban, middle-class, home-centered women. With discretionary time available for local church, charitable, and reform work, women used traditional cookery skills to raise funds for the church—missionary support and building maintenance—and for addressing such community concerns as education, clean water, prison, housing reform, and the needs of the poor. Although the century idealized and emphasized women’s private role, the public, philanthropic contributions of women were usually applauded as well. Many women’s projects eventually evolved into national charities such as the Red Cross.