How to Fundraise for Dressember All Year Long
Those familiar with the Dressember Style Challenge know that December is when the bulk of the action happens for fundraising. For our advocates, it’s a month jam-packed with Instagram posts,unique fundraisers and heightened awareness surrounding human trafficking. But what about the other eleven months of the year? In the last year, advocacy has had to evolve with all the challenges COVID-19 has presented. However, we can still work together to fight human trafficking!
Here are six socially distanced ways you can fundraise when it’s not December.
Make a TikTok! Recent months have shown the undeniable influence TikTok has on its users. Have some fun using a trending song or audio clip to reach the most viewers. We recommend the trend of styling yourself like you’re the main character in a movie; show off all the looks you’ll rock for the 2021 campaign season and get GenZ involved! Drop a link where newcomers can check out Dressember, donate or sign up as advocates.
Make Statements That Invite Conversation and Interest. Jocelyn White, team leader of one of our top two 2020 advocate teams, Freedom Fashion, has curated her closet around pieces made by survivors of human trafficking — and has found it to be a great way to spark conversation around advocacy. That’s not to say, though, we expect you to reinvent your style (Unless you want to, that may be fun too)! Something as small as carrying a tote bag that says “Ask Me About My Dress!” can find help spark conversation in your community about trafficking!
Find a Company Match. Take a look at your company’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy, if it has one. Don’t be afraid to ask your company to donate or match donations! This can be a great way to share your mission — added bonus if you can send out a company email and reach out to interested coworkers.
Make and Sell Your Own Products. Have an artsy streak in you? Make cards, jewelry, or keychains to sell in person or on online platforms like Etsy. Speaking from personal experience, everyone loves a handmade cloth mask. Jen Kindbom is an advocate that has put this tip into action!
Get Local Businesses Involved. Have a favorite café, boutique or shop in town? Reach out about Dressember and your fundraising goals and ask them to partner with you. Whether it’s walking away with a new donation bucket placed at the checkout or generous free products to give out to donors, it’s always worth a shot.
Host a Virtual Raffle for Donors. Every time someone makes a donation, get them a virtual raffle ticket! Pick a winner at the end of each week for a small, handmade prize or up the game and make it a monthly competition for an awesome gift basket. Showing you care about each donor is key to avoiding donor fatigue and ensuring your fundraising goals stay ambitious.
And for those of you that haven’t yet participated in the Dressember Style Challenge, consider:
Building Your Team! Everything's better with friends — but you don’t have to stop there. Have a coworker who’s interested in Dressember’s Style Challenge? Send out an invite! It’s not too early to sign up for the 2021 Dressember campaign and form new connections along the way.
Start a Team Page and Ask Friends and Family to Share on Social Media. Get your team ethos out there! What about Dressember speaks to you? What keeps you going? What are your 2021 goals? Writing it down will help solidify your internal commitment and let others know what you’re about.
The fight to end human trafficking doesn’t stop on December 31st. Dressember has your back with these six tips to boost involvement and generate funds all year round!
** Join the Dressember Collective to make monthly contributions that make a lasting impact.
About the Author
Mckayla Yoo is a proud resident of the Jersey Shore getting her History and English degrees in Massachusetts. A lover of slow fashion, she believes in conscious consumer choices and the five R's. In her free time, you can find her researching cold case mysteries and perfecting the art of iced coffee.