How to participate in #LBDI:

Click here to register to participate in LBDI and click here to learn more about the campaign. 

LBDI is a week-long social media and social capital fundraising campaign that uses the iconic ‘little black dress’ to raise awareness about poverty in our Charlotte community. Remember, social impact is always in style.

To raise awareness about poverty and promote the Little Black Dress Initiative, we suggest the following:

• Email Your Network About Your Participation in LBDI
  • Although we love social media, many participants have gotten just as much, if not more, fundraising traction by directly emailing their connections about the campaign and making a fundraising ask.
  • We suggest emailing your family, friends and contacts at a minimum the Sunday before the campaign kicks off with your fundraising link, what the LBDI campaign is about, and why you decided to participate. This makes it a little more personal.
  • Let your contacts know that they can follow your fundraising journey on social media (include links to your preferred platform). 
  • On the Thursday of the LBDI campaign, email your contacts again with your link, and include how much you’ve raised and how much the JLC has raised. Since it is almost the conclusion of the campaign, we recommend including what you’ve learned from or your experience with wearing the same outfit for a week to encourage donations.

• Social Media Posts
  • During the week, post on your preferred social media platform – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc. using the hashtags #JLC #LBDI. You can post a fact, a picture of you in your outfit or other ideas you may have to bring awareness to the cause. We will post facts on the JLC Facebook and Instagram pages that you can share and repost.  
    • The Sunday before the start of the campaign, consider posting a kick-off social post to the event and explain what LBDI is and why you are participating.
    • Consider posting one image per day of you in your black outfit on social media. Let those in your network know how much you’ve raised toward your goal (and how much more you hope to raise), and be sure to always include your fundraising link.
    • Consider posting one statistic about poverty in Charlotte OR dispel a misconception per day and be sure to always include your fundraising link. (The JLC will provide stats, etc. for you to use.)
    • Towards the end of the week, perhaps on Thursday, let your network know how much the JLC has raised to date, how much you personally have raised toward your goal, how much you appreciate donations (include pictures from the week!), and that there is still time to donate.
    • Use one of these Zoom backgrounds during the week, and in your social media videos. 

Suggestions for Facebook and Instagram

Please keep in mind these are just suggestions. The goal is to make this campaign authentic to you.

• Let people know you’re going to be fundraising a week ahead of time and include your link (they can donate early if they want). (Suggestion for Instagram: Post a video or photo on your story with your link.)
• Upload daily photos or videos of you wearing your outfit throughout the week.
• Create Reels, videos, and utilize stories to showcase your experience and how you’ve styled your outfit throughout the week. Also talk about where you’ve worn your outfit.
• Tag the JLC account on all your posts. Another idea is to also tag the accounts of those who have made donations as a way to say thank you.

Sample posts to announce the start of LBDI:

Sample Facebook post:

Are you ready to make an impact?

During the week of March 11-17, The Junior League of Charlotte is launching the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI). LBDI is a fundraising and awareness campaign that uses social media and social capital to highlight the impact of poverty on many of our neighbors in the Charlotte area. Funds raised will go to support the community partners and programs supported by the JLC. This year, I will be a participant and will be wearing the same black outfit for a week. My fundraising goal is $1,000, which will further the mission of the JLC and support our community and nonprofit partners. Social Impact is Always in Style. Please support me by donating here (hyperlink to your personal fundraising URL). #LBDI2024 #JLC #LBDI

Sample Email:

Hello all,

During the week of March 11-17 I will be participating in The Junior League of Charlotte’s annual Little Black Dress Initiative – a fundraising and awareness campaign centered around the challenges those who live in poverty in the Charlotte community face daily. As a participant, I will be wearing the same black outfit for one week while raising money to support the JLC’s community and nonprofit partners.

I’m participating for the following reasons:

1. To raise awareness of the difficulties facing those who are in need and have few resources.
2. To understand how limited resources can affect daily life.
3. To fundraise to support the mission of the JLC and to support our community and nonprofit partners, including Thompson Child & Family Focus.

I hope you will support me in this initiative by making a donation to my efforts (include link to your individual or team fundraising page)! Remember, social impact is always in style.

Follow me on social media (list your platform(s) of choice) throughout my #JLC #LBDI journey.

Thank you and warmest regards!