Chicago Fair Trade

Educate, Activate, Celebrate

Flash Fundraiser

Fundraise with Abby

CFT is all about cultivating a community that is dedicated to an economy that values the labor and dignity of all people

– Abby Alley

I’m proud of Chicago Fair Trade because it represents a beacon of ethical and sustainable business practices in the heart of a Chicago. As you may know, Chicago is the birthplace of the labor rights movement so it’s no surprise that part of that legacy is now being the home of the largest fair trade organization in the US.

This year CFT opened the world’s first Fair Trade museum with over 2000 people coming through its doors in the first 6 months of operation including a few school field trips. Through your donations, it’s our hope this museum will be permanent.

On a personal note, I am so grateful for the community of small business owner members of Chicago Fair Trade. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely venture, but with dozens of likeminded women just a phone call away, it’s been an incredible resource and one of the kindest communities I’ve been part of.

My personal fundraising goal this year is $1000. Whether we get there with a five donations of $200 or 200 donations of $5, either way we’ll be coming together to build a more fair economy!

Thank you so much in advance for your support.

xo, Abby

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 $980.12 out of my goal of $1,000.00.

98%
Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$500.00

September 20, 2023

BR

Brittany Ryswyk

$51.80

Such important work! Way to go!

September 19, 2023

AD

Andrea Dennis

$15.76

September 19, 2023

HJ

Holly Jensen

$206.28

Proud of you Abby

September 19, 2023

AA

Abby Alley

$206.28

September 19, 2023

Fundraise with Nancy

Together we can bring about lifestyle changes that can save our planet.

– Nancy Jones

More than 75,000 people marched in New York City last weekend with dozens of actions in countries around the world demanding an end to burning fossil fuels. It is exciting to see the youth leadership taking charge and demanding action now. This is also a time to remind people of how fast fashion contributes to the climate crisis. We have Chicago Fair Trade to thank for the continuing opportunities to hear from those working in the apparel industry who highlight the harm to both workers and the environment. Personal stories are what motivate and inspire others to change from fast fashion to fair trade fashion.

Join me in making a donation to the ongoing work of Chicago Fair Trade, offering resources to those in Chicago as well as a model for other cities. Together we can bring about lifestyle changes that can save our planet.

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!

Thank you! I’ve reached my goal, but let’s not stop there! My donors have raised $1,178.23; let’s keep going!

117%
PD

Patricia DeJean

$103.30

September 21, 2023

KM

Kathleen Morkert

$26.06

Celebrating the work of Nancy Jones and Katherine Bissell-Cordova!

September 21, 2023

EP

Elizabeth Pernotto

$100.00

Thank you for your great work

September 20, 2023

KB

Kay Berkson

$250.00

September 20, 2023

BH

Barbara Havens

$134.19

Thanks for all the good work you are doing.

September 20, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$51.80

September 20, 2023

JR

Jan Rodriguez

$103.30

Keep up the good work, CFT!

September 19, 2023

MN

Mary Naftzger

$154.79

September 19, 2023

GC

Gary Cozette

$100.00

Thank you Katherine Bissell and Nancy Jones for your leadership in growing Fair Trade in Chicago.

September 19, 2023

NJ

Nancy Jones

$154.79

September 18, 2023

Fundraise with Michelle

Donate to fund activism in Chicago, home of the Fair Trade Museum!

Hello friends, family, loved ones all.

As a board member at Chicago Fair Trade, I’m honored to participate in the year’s flash fundraiser. Chicago Fair Trade is an organization dedicated to fighting for social justice, supporting local fair trade businesses that promote social justice, and, best of all, providing space where the social-justice-curious can come together to socialize with fair trade aficionados committed to the movement for years.

Earlier this year, while my family and I were abroad on sabbatical, Chicago Fair Trade opened the world’s first Fair Trade Museum; donate now to help us keep this museum going into 2024 and beyond!

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 $1,030.84 out of my goal of $1,500.00.

68%
SR

Rochelle Ruzicka

$26.06

September 22, 2023

JB

Jonit Bookheim

$50.00

September 21, 2023

JW

Jeffrey Woods

$103.30

September 21, 2023

CJ

Carla Johns

$31.20

September 21, 2023

AK

Andrea King

$51.80

September 21, 2023

SW

Stephanie Wish

$26.06

Happy to support Michelle and fair trade!

September 20, 2023

JM

Jamie Malato

$103.30

September 20, 2023

JW

Janice Woods

$26.06

September 19, 2023

JH

Jim Harper

$26.06

September 19, 2023

EG

Emily Graham

$51.80

Adore you and this cause! 🙂

September 19, 2023

MK

Mark Koenig

$103.30

September 19, 2023

HG

Holly G.

$25.00

September 19, 2023

LB

Louis Bookheim

$103.30

Best regards!

September 19, 2023

JB

Joshua Buermann

$200.00

September 19, 2023

PM

Phil Mcfarland

$51.80

September 19, 2023

MT

Michelle Thomas

$51.80

September 19, 2023

Fundraise with Jocelyn

The planet and its people are interconnected – fair trade offers a path for helping both

– Jocelyn Leitzinger

As an educator, I spend a lot of time teaching students about how business should be – fair, just, equitable, sustainable. But as a researcher, my focus is on the opposite – all the ways that businesses take advantage of workers, harm communities, and destroy the environment. Living between these two worlds – knowing how we could do better while watching us consistently fall short – left me feeling ineffective and anxious to do more.

Enter Chicago Fair Trade.

I can think of no other organization that does so much with so little to address the issues I care most about – supporting fair and livable wages, gender equality, environmentally sustainable products and production methods, and justice for workers in our communities – here at home and abroad. Chicago Fair Trade supports small businesses that uphold these values and educates consumers to make responsible choices, reaching far beyond the Chicagoland area.

For the past three years, serving on the board of Chicago Fair Trade has been my “more.”

And currently, “more” means ensuring that CFT has the funding it needs to continue its stellar programming, education, and advocacy efforts. This year alone, CFT started the world’s first fair trade museum, developed and ran a six-week Museum Makers course for Chicago teens, and hosted a variety of educational events.

If you have the means, I hope you will join me in supporting this wonderful organization. I will personally match the first $300 in donations, so your financial gift will have double the impact – no donation amount is too small. You can also share the fundraiser with your networks.

By fully funding Chicago Fair Trade, we can take a significant step towards making the world I teach about a reality.

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 $954.16 out of my goal of $1,000.00.

95%
JL

Jocelyn Leitzinger

$50.00

September 25, 2023

GS

Gerhard Schnyder

$12.00

September 25, 2023

JA

Jayme Alton

$25.00

September 25, 2023

MB

Matthew Bourquin

$26.06

September 21, 2023

RA

Bernadette Aguilar

$15.76

Thank you for your insight, passion and forward thinking. Also thank you for skating with me!

September 21, 2023

A

Ashley

$41.50

September 21, 2023

SS

Sara Soderstrom

$26.06

September 21, 2023

FW

Frank Wu

$257.78

September 21, 2023

JG

Jackie Ganfield

$25.00

September 20, 2023

SG

Shelby Gai

$80.00

September 20, 2023

JC

Jeanette Colyvas

$25.00

September 19, 2023

MR

Maija Renko

$20.00

September 19, 2023

DP

Dave Plonka

$100.00

September 19, 2023

JL

Jocelyn Leitzinger

$250.00

September 19, 2023

Fundraise with Katherine

Fair trade has the power to connect us all.

I am raising money for Chicago Fair Trade because I believe in the transformative power of fair trade and want to continue to grow this movement. This past fall, I visited a fair trade farm for the first time. At Florecal, a fair trade flower farm in Ecuador, I saw firsthand how much better people’s lives are because of fair trade.

Over the past six months, I have seen over 2,000 people come through the Chicago Fair Trade Museum (the world’s first!). People here so eager to learn more and be involved in this movement for justice.

Your support helps Chicago Fair Trade spread the message of fair trade further and wider and grow this lovely movement. I am more committed than ever to the transformative power of fair trade. I am kicking this drive off with a $500 donation. Please help me reach my goal!

–Kathy/Katherine

Help me raise money!

My personal goal is $8,000.00

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

Donate Today!

Thanks to all the donors!

Thank you! I’ve reached my goal, but let’s not stop there! My donors have raised $12,012.32; let’s keep going!

150%
TH

Tracy Hart

$250.00

October 8, 2023

JA

Jill Antonides

$257.78

Your passion for this important work is inspiring. Thanks for what you do!

September 23, 2023

UF

Ulla Frederiksen

$51.80

🩵

September 22, 2023

MM

Marci Merola

$51.80

September 22, 2023

DW

DON WILLIAMSON

$3,000.00

September 22, 2023

AM

ANA MARIA MARQUEZ

$50.00

Kath! You’re so inspiring 🤍 thanks for building community for a better world!

September 21, 2023

RA

Bernadette Aguilar

$15.76

You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for all that you do for others.

September 21, 2023

PG

Peter Glassman

$51.80

September 21, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$51.80

September 21, 2023

ER

Emily Rosenberg

$309.27

Wonderful organization!

September 21, 2023

CM

Cathy Mazur

$100.00

September 21, 2023

TH

Tamiz Haiderali

$51.80

September 21, 2023

MT

Mary Beth Tegan

$51.80

September 21, 2023

SD

Sarah Doherty

$103.30

September 21, 2023

RE

Ruth Edwards

$51.80

September 21, 2023

CN

Conrad Nowak

$51.80

September 21, 2023

MM

Marla Messing

$257.78

September 21, 2023

JJ

Jane Johnson

$50.00

September 21, 2023

MA

MARILYN ANTONIK

$2,060.04

Thank you, Katherine, Nancy, Beth, Jerome, and all who are doing such important work through Chicago Fair Trade. You are amazing! Gratefully, Marilyn

September 21, 2023

SN

Stacy Beran

$26.06

September 21, 2023

MD

Margo and Steve Druschel

$51.80

Proud to call you my friend! Your leadership, creativity and willingness to take risks for what is right is an inspiration!

September 20, 2023

ES

Elvira (Svet) Surkevicius

$51.80

You’re a good egg.

September 20, 2023

AB

Andrea Bergstrom

$51.80

You do good work for the world.

September 20, 2023

MW

Mara Wallace

$515.24

Go, Bissell

September 20, 2023

DB

Doug Bond

$51.80

September 20, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$41.50

September 20, 2023

AG

Adrian Gershom

$26.06

September 20, 2023

ND

Nancy Davis

$103.30

September 20, 2023

JM

Jane McCarthy

$100.00

September 20, 2023

ND

Nancy Demuth

$31.20

Thank you Katherine for being a wonderful colleague and friend, and a one-woman fair trade phenomenon! #sheropreneur

September 20, 2023

JR

JENIFER A RATCLIFFE

$257.78

September 20, 2023

ER

Elisabeth Reed

$51.80

The future is Fair Trade!

September 20, 2023

JR

Jennifer Richards

$51.80

September 20, 2023

RH

Robert Hainer

$100.00

September 20, 2023

JR

Jude Rodriguez

$103.30

My good friend, Katherine Bissell Cordova has a way of making important things happen. Chicago Fair Trade is just one example. When I grow up, I want to be just like my dear Kata!!

September 20, 2023

MS

Michelle Saro

$103.30

Good luck making your fundraising goal! You are making the world a better place. Thank you!

September 20, 2023

JH

Joan Harper

$103.30

September 20, 2023

P

Paul Doherty

$515.24

September 20, 2023

MA

Matthew Asciutto

$250.00

September 20, 2023

BP

Benjamin Pueschner

$103.30

KBC rocks!

September 19, 2023

TV

Toni Vigil-McKim

$206.28

September 19, 2023

AD

Andrea Dennis

$15.76

September 19, 2023

CW

Christine Whipple

$51.80

September 19, 2023

EO

Eric Odeen

$51.80

September 19, 2023

AR

Anjali Raj Hansoty

$50.00

September 19, 2023

KO

Kathleen M OConnor

$257.78

September 19, 2023

MF

Mary Fabri

$257.78

September 19, 2023

BL

Billy Linstead Goldsmith

$51.80

Thank you for the amazing work you all do for our movement. Chicago Fair Trade is an ongoing source of inspiration to me and everyone in the fair trade community.

September 19, 2023

GV

Katherine Bissell Cordova

$500.00

September 18, 2023

RM

Rob McFadzean

$10.61

September 18, 2023

SV

Sally Volkert-Bissell

$1,000.00

In memory of Walter Bissell

September 18, 2023

Fundraise with Sarah

I don’t just want to SAY that I’m going to leave this world better than I found it. I want to actually DO it. Supporting fair trade allows me to actively do just that.

– Sarah Faur

I believe that fair trade is much more than a label on a product. It’s the opportunity to actively contribute to improving the world as we currently know it by supporting a safer and more sustainable supply chain for the environment, the workers, and the communities they call home.

After living in Latin America for 8 years and witnessing first hand the very poor working conditions that so many people have to endure as a result of unethical businesses, I knew I couldn’t stand idly by. Things need to change! Workers deserve better! This is why I now actively volunteer with Chicago Fair Trade.

Since 2018, I’ve volunteered my time at events, and now as a Board Member, to support CFT’s mission to educate, activate and celebrate fair trade values. This allows me to ‘put my money where my mouth is’ and make tangible steps to improving broken systems in our current society.

I am personally inviting you to support me in my journey of leaving this world a better place than I found it. I am hopeful that my friends, family and colleagues will understand the importance of this organization to me and help me raise $1500 for CFT (a 501(c)(3) organization) to continue their work.

Even if now is not the right time to donate for you, if you are reading this, it’s because I wanted to share with you about the work I do, why it’s important to me, and allow you the opportunity to also support this noble cause.

Love,
Sarah

P.S.- If you’d like to learn more about what fair trade is exactly, you can read through this website….or just ask me!

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!

Thank you! I’ve reached my goal, but let’s not stop there! My donors have raised $1,714.04; let’s keep going!

114%
JH

Jose Hernandez

$26.06

October 1, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$26.06

September 26, 2023

AN

Adrianna Navarro

$26.06

September 25, 2023

FG

Faye Griffiths

$20.91

September 22, 2023

ED

Eric Davis

$36.35

September 22, 2023

RS

Ruth Erika Schafer

$75.00

Donating towards Sarah Faur's goal

September 21, 2023

RF

Rebecca Faur

$53.86

You’re amazing Sarah!

September 21, 2023

BF

Brian Faur

$51.80

DTRT

September 21, 2023

AQ

Andrea Quintanar

$51.80

Gracias por todo tu esfuerzo!

September 21, 2023

JF

Jim & Trude Faur

$51.80

Proud of our daughter Sarah M. Faur, doing her best to make this world a better place for all, Love, Dad & Trude.

September 21, 2023

MC

Maxine Cookston

$51.80

September 21, 2023

HG

Holly Gillis

$26.06

September 20, 2023

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous

$1,030.18

September 20, 2023

ND

Nancy Demuth

$31.20

Thank you Sarah for your incredible project management and organisational skillz (plus your new-found label-printing prowess)!

September 20, 2023

DP

Debbie Petrone

$51.80

Hi Sarah! We have a condo now in Chicago & are there more. Hope to meet up sometime.

September 19, 2023

HM

Sarah Faur

$103.30

September 19, 2023