What is RAGS?

During a dinner in 1994, then-YWCA Board Members Sondra Purcell and Judith Nilan were brainstorming creative and fun ways to support the work of the YWCA. This dream event would secure funds to support survivors of domestic violence and provide local artists a venue to show and sell their work. At that time, Mimi Anderson overheard the conversation and said, “Call me. I want to be a part of this.” That evening, the idea for “Rags For Riches” was born. Today, the event has evolved and is now known as RAGS. Ever since, RAGS has supported survivors of intimate partner violence and artists in Pierce County and beyond. 

What we do?

While supporting the YWCA, RAGS connects the community with talented artists and designers to purchase beautiful, handmade works. Artists who display and sell their work at RAGS agree to donate 33 percent of their marketplace sales and 40 percent of their sales in the gallery to RAGS. By attending our sale and show, your donations, purchases, and volunteer hours help make our show and the work of the YWCA possible.

RAGS donates funds to YWCA Pierce County and to our community as a whole. In 2019, the RAGS sale and show raised and donated $129,000. Since it began 29 years ago, RAGS has donated over $2,111,000 to the YWCA Pierce County.

RAGS and YWCA Pierce County

RAGS is underwritten entirely through donations from people and organizations who believe in the YWCA Pierce County’s mission and in RAGS’ creative approach to supporting that mission. Donations fund the production of RAGS including equipment rental, advertising, and decorations to permits and printing costs. Annual RAGS donations funds are earmarked for YWCA programs and specifically address domestic violence in our community.