Support Chicago Fair Trade
Help us raise $25,000
Support our 2022 Flash Fundraising drive and help us take our work to the next level
This annual, three-day long Flash Fundraiser is the lifeblood of our organization, and our goal this year is to raise $25,000.
Over the past six years, our grassroots Flash Fundraising drive has brought in over $142,000 from donors just like you. It is the reason Chicago Fair Trade continues to grow and flourish. Case in point: yesterday, we hired our second full time staff person, Nancy Demuth.
Scroll down to meet Nancy and see more examples of what Flash Fundraising dollars have supported, and how your donation today can help Chicago’s Fair Trade movement achieve even more this year.
Your Support is Critical
Donate today and your donation will help pay for a Chicago Fair Trade Student Summit which allows us to continue educating and fighting for the value the labor & dignity for all people.
Meet Nancy
Hello! I’m thrilled to be working with Chicago Fair Trade.
I’ve only just arrived in Chicago, but am already so impressed with the warm and welcoming fair trade community here! I recently completed my MBA in Sustainable Innovation from the University of Vermont.
Before moving to the U.S. I worked for two of the UK’s longest-established Fair Trade organizations, Twin Trading and the nonprofit arm of Traidcraft and have had the pleasure of working with farmer cooperatives across East Africa and Latin America. I’m really excited to get to know all the Chicago Fair Trade members and learn all about the fantastic work you do!
— Nancy Demuth, Chicago Fair Trade staff
Visiting a fair trade coffee cooperative in Burundi
At the Levi’s action in Chicago
#signtheaccord
How your donation helps
Funding from this year’s Flash Fundraiser will help us carry out our mission of Cultivating a community dedicated to an economy that values the labor & dignity of all people. Here are just some of the things your donation has made possible
Educate
Your support allows us to bring Fair Trade champions like Nasreen Sheikh to Chicago to meet with and inspire students – the future leaders of the fair trade movement.
It also allows us to provide students with internships, mentor Fair Trade Clubs (including the newest one at St. Ignatius High School!), and engage students from every corner of Chicago in our After School Matters program, “Build Your Brand: Ethical Entrepreneurship.”
Activate
Right now, Chicago Fair Trade has a historic opportunity. CFT is the Illinois Coordinator for the FABRIC Act, strong legislation that will mean concrete improvements for nearly 100,000 garment workers in the US. Chicago Fair Trade’s organizing efforts are paying off.
Just this week, Senator Tammy Duckworth became a Co-Sponsor of this groundbreaking legislation! These campaigns take staff time and that takes dollars, but the time and effort generate meaningful systemic change!
Celebrate
Your donations support our annual World Fair Trade Day celebration, the largest of its kind in the US!
This past year, we hosted Open House Chicago Fair Trade. Each year, this event brings the message of fair trade to thousands of new people, and helps grow our movement.
Educating
The Next Generation
Last fall, Flash Fundraising dollars paid for Nasreen Sheikh (center) to come to Chicago and visit Whitney Young High School. Nasreen shared her story of being a child slave laborer in Nepal at age 9.
We know there are many good causes out there, and we thank you for considering donating to Chicago Fair Trade. As a small but effective non-profit organization, every donation truly makes a difference.
Thanks to all the donors!
Thank you! Together we’ve reached our goal, but let’s not stop there! All 196 of us have raised $25,012; let’s keep going!
Prefer to send a check? Please let us know so we can add the amount to our running total. Make your check out to “Chicago Fair Trade” and mail to “3319 N Cicero Avenue #410386 Chicago, IL 60641”.
Meet our fundraisers
Special thanks to our donors!
Stacy Callighan
Bruce & Gloria Cox
Patricia DeJean
Kathy Osberger
Anonymous
Christy Prahl
Monica Drane
Michelle Saro
Ashley Edge
Anonymous
Tom Fate
Maria Miranda
Go Robbie!