One of the most unique and beautiful community fundraisers is about to take flight in Fountain Hills. Flutter at the Fountain is returning for its third season with more butterflies and events than ever.
Sponsored by the Fountain Hills Community Foundation, Flutter at the Fountain is a series of community events during October and November designed to raise awareness and funds to assist local nonprofit groups. The Foundation focuses on local organizations that support the youth, seniors, and families of Fountain Hills and the surrounding communities.
Nonprofit organizations are the lifeblood of every community. They provide critical services that contribute to a town’s economic stability and strengthen the fabric of community life. They also increase a community’s sense of well-being and quality of life. Sometimes those nonprofits need a little extra boost to help them roll out a new program or improve their internal infrastructure to offer more.
That’s where the Fountain Hills Community Foundation steps in, providing annual grants to bolster the nonprofits so they can do more. The Foundation has been doing this since it began in 1995 when it was known as the Sunridge Foundation. Since 1995, they have provided over $1.2 million in financial support to local educational, cultural, and humanitarian nonprofit groups. Last year, the Fountain Hills Community Foundation gave $49,000 in grants to these groups and aims to give $100,000 this year.
Flutter at the Fountain is the Foundation’s annual fundraiser. It is centered around 44 beautifully crafted aluminum butterflies ranging from 12-inches to 36-inches. Local artists design each butterfly for the juried format. They come with a steel base that allows you to use the butterfly as yard art or to place it inside your home or business.
The butterflies are auctioned in an online format, making the bidding easy and incredibly fun. In addition to the auctioned butterflies, one 24-inch butterfly will be available through a raffle. Tickets are $10 each; 3 tickets for $20; or 10 tickets for $50. The winner will be drawn during the Flutter Gala in the Garden on November 5 (see details for purchasing tickets below.)
2022 Raffle Butterfly “Morphing Like Crazy” by Jenny Willigrod
This year’s Flutter at the Fountain event has been completely redesigned to give you multiple dates to interact with the butterflies and have fun with your whole family. Mark your calendar with these dates:
Flutter events at a glance
FLUTTER STROLL ON THE AVENUE: Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 4 – 6 pm
Businesses on the Avenue of the Fountains will host the butterflies in a 2-hour preview. This will be the first time the 2022 collection will be available to view in person. Get a sneak peek and enjoy appetizers and beverages. BUSINESS PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE Sami Fine Jewelry, Mathnasium, Cheryl’s at the Fountain Clothing Boutique, Fountain Hills Artists Gallery, Chill Boutique, RE/MAX Sun Properties (two locations), SIPPS Coffee, and more to come.
BUTTERFLY BASH: Thursday, October 13, 2022, 5 – 7 pm
The Fountain Hills Artists Gallery will host “Butterfly Bash,” where you can meet nine premier butterflies and the talented Gallery artists while enjoying beverages and hors d’oeuvres. You can also bring in your own painted butterfly rock(s) between October 4-13 to earn raffle tickets for a chance to win one of three $50 gift certificates. Winners will be drawn during the Butterfly Bash. The rocks will later be scattered throughout Fountain Hills as part of the Flutter at the Fountain celebration. The Fountain Hills Artists Gallery is located at 16858 E Ave of the Fountains # 103. Visit fountainhillsartistsgallery.com for more information.
FLUTTER REVEAL, Saturday, October 15, 2022, 10 am – 5 pm
This free public event will be held on the patio at Plaza Fountainside in Fountain Park to view the entire collection of 2022 Flutter Butterflies.
- PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD VOTING: Sponsors and artists will be on hand to present their butterflies. The public is invited to vote in the “People’s Choice Award” contest by voting for their favorite butterfly with a donation of any amount. The People’s Choice Voting is facilitated by “Hungry Caterpillar” art projects provided by the local Boys & Girls Club. The winning butterfly of the People’s Choice award will gain a special prize for its artist, sponsor, and caterpillar artist. Each will be allowed to direct $1,000 of Community Foundation funds to the local 501-c-3 nonprofit group of their choice.
- FLUTTER 22 “CHRYSALIS COUPON BOOKS” will be available for $20 each. Each coupon book includes hundreds of dollars of retail discounts at our Sponsors’ businesses, including “Day Of” coupons for discounts on beverages and food items at local restaurants at Plaza Fountainside and throughout Fountain Hills.
FLUTTER GALA GARDEN PARTY: Saturday, November 5, 2022, 5:30-9:30 pm.
Enjoy an enchanting evening under the stars in the beauty of the Fountain Hills Community Garden (13001 N La Montana Dr). Toast your friends and the spirit of community giving with the 2022 collection of Flutter butterflies, all set in a sparkly, festive atmosphere with roaming performers, aerialists, a magician, and more. Dinner includes specialties from some of Fountain Hills’ favorite restaurateurs curated by Personal Chef Debbie J. Elder. The evening will culminate with a live auction by professional auctioneer Darren Moore and a few Flutter surprises you will never forget! Tickets are $100 (see details for purchasing tickets below.)
FLUTTER 22 AUCTION WRAP-UP AND BUTTERFLY PICK-UP: Sunday, November 6, 2022
The online auction for butterflies ends 12:00-1:00 pm. Butterfly pick-up will be available until 5:00 pm that day at the Fountain Hills Community Garden (13001 N La Montana Dr)
HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS AND JOIN THE AUCTION
To participate in the online auction, purchase raffle tickets or tickets for the Flutter Gala Garden Party, or donate to the Foundation, visit Flutter22.Givesmart.com, or text Flutter22 to 76278 to get started.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the Fountain Hills Community Foundation, including how to provide ongoing support for their other contributions to the community throughout the year, visit FountainHillsGives.com.
