In 1925, a small group of women interested in philanthropic work founded the Charity League in Los Angeles. They worked quietly, doing Red Cross work, making layettes and assembling and delivering baskets of food to the hungry at holiday times. Sometimes they brought their daughters with them. By 1938, so many daughters had become involved that they decided to form their own group. They called themselves the Ticktockers.

In 1947, these groups united to become the first mother-daughter charity and took their present name, National Charity League. At that time, the mothers also took their name, Patronesses. The newly formed group decided to expand its program beyond philanthropic work to include educational and cultural activities.

NCL was reorganized and incorporated as National Charity League, Inc. in 1958. The first "Chapter Day" was held in 1959; the first NCL Convention was held the following year. These meetings brought the growing membership together for an exchange of ideas and support. The theme of the 2008 National Convention was "NCL Strikes Gold," to commemorate National Charity League's Golden Anniversary.  

Click here to read the full NCL history drafted for the Golden Anniversary.