The National Quilting Association, Inc., a nonprofit organization run by quilters for quilters, was founded in 1970 by seven women in the Washington, D.C., area. The organization was established to create, stimulate, maintain, and record an interest in all matters pertaining to the making, collecting, and preserving of quilts, and to establish and promote educational and philanthropic endeavors through quilts. Membership in the organization is open to all interested individuals. The NQA was chartered in 1972. Local NQA Chapters were also begun during these early years. The NQA has always considered its first responsibility to be service to its members. Thus, many programs have been established over the years to aid the membership, with special benefits to chapters. And, of course, our Annual Quilt Show is a successful collaborative effort between our members and our merchant sponsors.