Chicago Fair Trade

Educate, Activate, Celebrate

Flash Fundraiser 2022

Fundraise with Kristine

It’s just like the old saying goes: If something is cheap, somebody else is paying. The low price we pay in the west for our clothes comes at the expense of the people who make the clothing

J. B. MacKinnon

As a stitcher, knitter and weaver, I know how much work can go into making garments and textiles. That’s why I support fair trade in general, and Chicago Fair Trade specifically. CFT works to educate folks about fair trade issues, including working conditions and environmental impacts. The world’s first Fair Trade Museum shares space in the CFT Pop-Up Shop, which also celebrates fair trade businesses. This year, I led knitting meet-ups with Chicago community members and taught weaving through After School Matters at the Museum. Your donation to Chicago Fair Trade will help support the many ways CFT can educate about, advocate for and celebrate fair trade throughout the next year. Thank you for partnering with me.

My goal is to raise $1500 during this fundraiser. I’ve donated $100 to start things rolling!

Help me raise money!

My personal goal is $1,500.00

Donate to our Flash Fundraiser page and make sure to choose my name for your donation inspiration!

Donate Today!

Thanks to all the donors!

So far, my donors have raised $392.28 out of my goal of $1,500.00.

26%
DT

Donald Tanis

$257.78

September 20, 2023

ND

Nancy Demuth

$31.20

Thank you Kristine for upping CFT's game with your endless creativity and enviable artistic skills!

September 20, 2023

KB

Kristine Brandel

$103.30

September 19, 2023

Fundraise with Chipo

Support inclusive, ethical, economy

Greetings from Liberia!

I’m back. I honored my promise not to bother you last year. You all know my work these past 15 years has been about fairness, inclusiveness, and ethics in the economy and workforce. Chicago Fair Trade is a big part of my work and life in this new Chapter. With the UAW on strike, Amazon, Starbuck’s and others fighting against worker’s rights it’s wonderful to know that you can support workers and producers who are paid living wages, work sustainably, and in humane conditions. Please help to support me and Chicago Fair Trade in our work by helping me to reach my goal of $500.

Help me raise money!

My personal goal is $500.00

Donate to our Flash Fundraiser page and make sure to choose my name for your donation inspiration!

Donate Today!

Thanks to all the donors!

So far, my donors have raised $258.40 out of my goal of $500.00.

51%
TJ

Teresa Jackson

$51.80

September 22, 2023

DW

Dan Wilson

$103.30

September 21, 2023

GK

Gail Kim

$103.30

September 20, 2023

Fundraise with Bernadette

Join me in fundraising for Chicago Fair Trade!

I came across the Fair Trade movement after attending Green Fest at Navy Pier, back in 2009. Learning about equity and justice for laborers and the environment became a passion of mine. Chicago Fair Trade is the largest grassroots movement in the United States! The organization has positively impacted and uplifted many.I have volunteered with Chicago Fair Trade, joined events through the organization and am now fortunate to be a board member.

Here is my opportunity to share our advocacy with all of you. Please consider donating to help us continue the momentum of our outreach. If donating to Chicago Fair Trade is not possible for you at this time, please share my fundraising page with others. Thank you!

Help me raise money!

My personal goal is $1,200.00

Donate to our Flash Fundraiser page and make sure to choose my name for your donation inspiration!

Donate Today!

Thanks to all the donors!

Thank you! I’ve reached my goal, but let’s not stop there! My donors have raised $1,249.86; let’s keep going!

104%
AM

Anna Malles

$31.20

Good job!

September 29, 2023

NC

Nick Clemente

$15.00

September 28, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$62.10

September 22, 2023

CA

Chris Aguilar

$30.00

September 21, 2023

JG

Joy Green

$20.91

September 21, 2023

RA

Robert Aguilar

$228.94

September 21, 2023

LS

Luisa Santos

$26.06

September 21, 2023

AS

Aurora Samar

$50.00

September 20, 2023

CI

Christian Inciong

$51.80

September 20, 2023

EM

Ed Miranda

$103.30

September 20, 2023

ND

Nancy Demuth

$31.20

Thank you Bernie for being a kickass photographer and zero-waste ethical fashionista!

September 20, 2023

JA

Jeremy Aguiar

$154.79

September 20, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$15.76

September 19, 2023

DH

Donna Hernandez

$51.80

September 19, 2023

CS

Carolyne Sumugat

$26.06

September 19, 2023

RA

Renee Ayeh

$51.80

September 19, 2023

MN

MITZI NORTON

$51.80

September 19, 2023

AD

Andrea Dennis

$15.00

September 19, 2023

SH

Suheila Haider

$26.06

September 19, 2023

RA

Bernadette Aguilar

$206.28

September 19, 2023

Fundraise with Taylor

Fair trade is a vital component of alleviating some of our world’s greatest challenges

There’s never a single solution to any problem, but having been lucky enough to fall into product development & production with others in the Fair Trade movement over the last 10 years, I can say that it is a vital component of alleviating some of our world’s greatest challenges. As a movement, it spurs reflection, innovation, and action. Not to mention, artistic expression!

I joined the board this year to contribute to the cultivation of this community within my own beloved city. As a business member, I’ve benefited greatly from Chicago Fair Trade’s support and had a meaningful experience as an instructor for their After School Matters youth program. I invite you to donate along with me to the fiscal sustainability of Chicago Fair Trade because it’s an easy opportunity for you to contribute to a movement that, along with many many other efforts, is working to ease some of the world’s hardships, complex as they may be.

My goal is to raise $2,000, which I hope to exceed with all of your support. I’m starting with a donation of my own of $150. Join me!

Help me raise money!

My personal goal is $2,000.00

Donate to our Flash Fundraiser page and make sure to choose my name for your donation inspiration!

Donate Today!

Thanks to all the donors!

So far, my donors have raised $1,730.78 out of my goal of $2,000.00.

86%
ZB

Zach Barabar

$26.06

September 21, 2023

LM

Lauri McCleneghan

$103.30

September 21, 2023

GO

Ginny Olson

$51.80

Thank you, Taylor, for all you do to promote fair trade!

September 21, 2023

NS

Nicole Stemler

$51.80

September 21, 2023

TH

Trevor Holmes

$36.35

September 21, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$15.76

September 21, 2023

PG

Pam M Green

$103.30

September 21, 2023

ND

Nancy Demuth

$31.20

Thank you Taylor for being a force of nature in fair trade and for your much-needed practical support with all things museum and merchandising!

September 20, 2023

SR

Susan Reeves

$515.24

September 19, 2023

BN

Brittany Nemeth

$103.30

September 19, 2023

BS

Becky Smart

$154.79

September 19, 2023

MC

Meghan Cahoon

$103.30

September 19, 2023

MS

Matthew` Smart

$154.79

September 19, 2023

BO

BETTY OTRUSINA

$100.00

September 19, 2023

RP

ROSE PAVLIK

$25.00

September 19, 2023

TM

Taylor McCleneghan

$154.79

September 18, 2023

Fundraise with Rahel Mwitula Williams

I believe giving has no social economic class or race and everyone can and should experience the joy of giving; and giving and receiving are not mutually exclusive

– Rahel Mwitula Williams

Hello friends, new and old! I am honored and humbled that you’re reading this, and my hope is that you will join me in making steps towards a just, fair, and sustainable economy. What an audacious vision but IT CAN BE DONE, and we are doing it through Chicago Fair Trade (CFT). It’s the model behind my business ILAVA. What a joy to meet, connect, build with like-minded business through CFT community.

At CFT we do our work by educating, activating, and celebrating those in Chicagoland and beyond. This year we are proud to open the very first fair-trade museum a place where people can learn about fair trade and labor rights movement (do you know Chicago is the home of labor movement).

This year my personal fundraising goal is $1,000 and beyond… We can reach this goal with single $1,000 donation or 1000 people giving $1 each or double my goal but doing both and we will celebrate because we all have something to give towards a just, fair, and sustainable economy.

Help me raise money!

My personal goal is $1,000.00

Donate to our Flash Fundraiser page and make sure to choose my name for your donation inspiration!

Donate Today!

Thanks to all the donors!

So far, my donors have raised $451.58 out of my goal of $1,000.00.

45%
NB

Nitoya Brown

$26.06

September 22, 2023

LG

LaToya Gray

$50.00

September 22, 2023

EC

Lizzy Case

$26.06

September 21, 2023

PM

Patrice Mwitula

$26.06

September 20, 2023

BM

Norbert and Bertha Mwitula

$103.30

September 20, 2023

AS

Andrew Steele

$51.80

September 20, 2023

AD

Andrea Dennis

$15.00

So proud of everyone involved in this movement, especially the amazing artisans, farmers, and makers on the ground around the world.

September 19, 2023

LA

Leah Anderson

$103.30

September 18, 2023

RM

Rahel Williams

$50.00

September 18, 2023

Fundraise with Robbie

“We are the ones we have been waiting for”

– June Jordan

Did You Know 👀⁉️

Chicago Fair Trade (CFT) serves as a global leader in the fair trade movement, currently operates as the largest fair trade coalition in the country and is home to the most fair trade, women-owned businesses in the US— and all because of this vibrant local meets global community working collectively since its inception in 2006 to build sustainable economic power for marginalized women, girls, and working families here at home in Chicago and around the world.

I 💚 Chicago Fair Trade and as you likely already know, I can’t help but talk your ear off about what’s happening at CFT, why it matters to me, and all the ways to join in on the fun— cause fair traders also know how to throw a party! I’m passionate about growing our fair trade movement because it encompasses so many of my values towards winning a world that cares for all its people and the planet— rooted in racial, gender and economic justice including essential protections for workers and the environment.

And because of your support this past year, CFT has been able to bring on its second ever full-time staff member– also allowing CFT to dream up and open the first ever Fair Trade Museum + Store right here in Chicago– that has seen more than 2,000 visitors experience our mission first-hand through a ton of hands-on events, museum tours, and youth programming in partnership with local schools and universities! How incredible is that?! If you supported me last year, thank you! 

My personal goal this year is to help raise $600 towards CFT’s $25,000 goal for its 6th Annual Flash Fundraiser drive happening all this week– ensuring our newest museum space, educational programming, advocacy campaigns, and fair trade community events will not only remain but continue to grow. Will you take 3 minutes right now and donate to my personal campaign for Chicago Fair Trade? I invite you to make a one-time or monthly show of support to CFT and give whatever amount feels meaningful and accessible to you- whether that’s $150, $75, $25 or $10. Every gift counts!

When I joined CFT as a board member in 2020, I was truly amazed to witness all the behind the scenes efforts of what this strong yet nimble coalition is able to accomplish each year. Together we are moving the dial forward in spreading the message of fair trade, telling the stories of impacted garment workers around the world, holding corporations accountable to the people who make their goods and pushing corporate interests to adopt fair trade principles— in turn creating a more just experience for all people.

Since 2006, Chicago Fair Trade’s member-led education and advocacy efforts have:

  • Aided in building infrastructure where it didn’t exist – paving the way for an upswell of local, sustainable fair trade business and women-owned co-ops around the world
  • Won policy fights here at home like making Chicago a sweatshop-free city, ending garment worker exploitation,create more safe and fair working conditions for garment workers
  • Taken on new initiatives through relationships with Chicago-area universities and public schools who are engaging young people in building the future of fair trade
  • Opened the first ever Fair Trade Museum in 2023, drawing in more than 2,000 visitors so far

I’ll be sharing more about CFT’s impact and current initiatives online all this week so you can see just what I mean!  The power of our organizing at CFT is truly grounded in our joyful community of members, allies, and supporters who show up and share our collective vision in the most inspiring and creative ways!

Grateful for your support and to be in community with so many of you who also believe in June’s message — we are the ones we have been waiting for — and that together we can and will win a more fair and just world for all its people and the planet, but only if we organize! 

In love + solidarity,

robbie 💚

Help me raise money!

My personal goal is $600.00

Donate to our Flash Fundraiser page and make sure to choose my name for your donation inspiration!

Donate Today!

Thanks to all the donors!

Thank you! I’ve reached my goal, but let’s not stop there! My donors have raised $1,077.80; let’s keep going!

179%
S

Stacy Gregory

$26.06

This is an awesome organization! Thank you for the work that you do! 🙂

September 27, 2023

MN

Malcolm Newsome

$25.00

September 25, 2023

CL

Carla Land

$51.80

September 24, 2023

LS

Lindsay Sherman

$26.06

September 22, 2023

AO

Adrienne Ott

$26.06

September 22, 2023

BN

Brian Nickerson

$26.06

September 21, 2023

MK

Marilyn G Klinger

$36.35

September 21, 2023

EI

Ellie Immerman

$26.06

September 21, 2023

MW

Mary Grace Wolf

$100.00

September 21, 2023

K

Kendra Kennedy

$26.06

September 21, 2023

JM

James Murray

$51.80

September 20, 2023

M

Maria Miranda

$118.74

Go Robbie!

September 20, 2023

DG

Dan Gaudette

$51.80

September 20, 2023

LH

Laura Hebert

$51.80

September 20, 2023

KW

Kathleen Wilhelm

$77.55

Go Robbie!

September 20, 2023

AP

Alison Porter

$103.30

You go girl, making a difference! ❤️

September 20, 2023

Kg

Katherine gean

$51.80

September 20, 2023

JP

Jeffrey Pinzino

$50.00

September 20, 2023

gm

Gordon Mayer

$41.50

September 20, 2023

jw

john wilson

$100.00

September 19, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$10.00

September 19, 2023