Inside Andi Sklar’s Homegrown Approach to Fundraising

How a Westport Mom Turned Her Living Room into a Launchpad for Good

When you picture a successful fundraiser, what comes to mind? A grand ballroom? A formal guest list in cocktail attire? For Andi Sklar of Westport, CT, fundraising often starts much closer to home-literally. Known throughout Fairfield County for her hands-on philanthropy and unwavering dedication to children’s health causes, Andi has proven that powerful change can begin right in your own living room.

More Than a House-A Hub for Good

Andi Sklar’s philanthropic journey began over 16 years ago, but her most memorable moments of giving back weren’t hosted in glamorous venues. They were hosted at home. From turning her living room into a pop-up boutique for charitable shopping events to helping her kids run lemonade stands to raise money for families in need, Andi’s home has long doubled as a mission center.

“I’m certainly no Martha Stewart,” she jokes, “but what I’ve found is that what matters most isn’t perfection-it’s purpose.” Her events have supported everything from pediatric cancer to breast cancer support and rare disease awareness, with one thing in common: authentic, heartfelt hosting that brings people together.

Finding the Why Behind the Event

The key to Andi’s success isn’t just her creativity-it’s her clarity. Every at-home fundraiser begins with a simple but essential question: Why are we doing this?

Whether she’s hosting to fundraise for PinkAid or raise awareness for Long QT Syndrome through Hearts in Harmony, she starts by setting a clear intention. This gives her events meaning-and makes it easier for guests to feel connected to the cause.

“People don’t just give because of the charity,” Andi says. “They give because they see how much you care.”

Big Impact, Small Setting

Over the years, Andi has experimented with several types of at-home fundraisers:

• Lemonade stands for Al’s Angels, where neighborhood kids help raise money and awareness for children with life-threatening illnesses.
• Shopping nights with local boutiques donating a percentage of sales-complete with charcuterie and camaraderie.
• Dinner parties where guests share a meal and learn about a cause, with an easy way to donate before dessert.

These events are proof that you don’t need a stage or spotlight to create impact-just sincerity, snacks, and a solid guest list.

Community-Driven and Kid-Inclusive

A major part of what makes Andi Sklar’s homegrown fundraising model so effective is how it involves the whole family. Her children often help plan or participate in events, learning the value of empathy and action through real-world experience.

“I want them to see that giving back isn’t something extra you do-it’s just something you do,” she explains.

Tips from Andi: How to Host with Heart

1. Start with your passion – Choose a cause you’re genuinely invested in. Your energy is contagious.
2. Use your network – Friends, family, and neighbors often want to help; they just need an easy way in.
3. Keep it simple – Whether it’s a coffee morning or a casual cocktail night, comfort makes connection easier.
4. Make the ‘ask’ easy – Use QR codes, donation cards, or product-based giving to avoid awkward moments.
5. Follow up – A simple thank-you and update goes a long way in turning one-time donors into long-term supporters.

Whether she’s raising six figures at a gala or a few hundred at a lemonade stand, Andi Sklar’s approach proves that fundraising doesn’t have to be flashy-it just needs heart. From her Westport home to the broader Connecticut community, she’s showing others how to turn passion into action, one thoughtful gathering at a time.

Interested in starting your own home-based fundraiser? Take a page from Andi Sklar’s playbook-and remember, good things truly start at home.