LBDI – How to Participate

How to participate in #LBDI:

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

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 emailing their connections about the campaign.
    • We suggest emailing your family, friends and contacts 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). 
    • On the Thursday of the LBDI campaign, email your contacts again with your link, 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 or your experience with wearing the same outfit for a week to encourage donations.
  • Social Media Posts
    • During the week, post on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter using #JLC #LBDI.  You can post a fact, a picture of you in your outfit or other ideas to bring awareness to the cause. We will post daily 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. 

 

Social Media Tips – #JLC #LBDI2023

Facebook

Facebook is a great tool for raising awareness of the #JLC and #LBDI, as well as reaching a larger audience you might not feel comfortable reaching out to directly but still may contribute to your fundraising efforts. Here are some suggestions on how you can use Facebook:

  • Use the LBDI logo as your profile pic/cover page from the week leading up to the LBDI campaign through the duration of the initiative.
  • Post daily teaser photos, such as a picture of your outfit.
  • Post daily photos of you in your outfit during the week of the initiative and updates about how much you’ve raised toward your goal.
  • Along with images, promote the cause further by including a poverty statistic, or highlight the JLC’s commitment to the Charlotte community.
  • Consider tagging friends who have supported you in thank you messages to spread the word.

Instagram

Instagram is a quick and easy tool for sharing your awareness campaign.

  • Let people know you’re going to be fundraising by posting pictures of your outfits and from all of the events.
  • Upload daily pictures of you wearing your outfit throughout the week.
  • Show a photo of the wear and tear on your outfit and how wearing the same dress without being able to accessorize it makes you feel.
  • Create Reels, videos, and utilize stories to showcase your experience and how you’ve styled your outfit throughout the week. 
  • Tag the JLC account and 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:

During the week of March 6-10, The Junior League of Charlotte is launching the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) fundraising campaign, which seeks to raise awareness around poverty in the Charlotte area and to raise funds to support the core mission of the Junior League. As part of the initiative, I will be wearing the same black outfit for a week and raising money that will further the mission of the Junior and support our community and nonprofit partners. Please support me in this initiative by donating here (hyperlink to your personal fundraising URL). #LBDI2023

 

Sample Email:

Hello all,

March X-XX I will be participating in The Junior League of Charlotte’s annual Little Black Dress Initiative – a campaign to raise awareness of the challenges those who live in poverty face daily. As a participant, I will be wearing one black outfit for five working days.

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 Digi-Bridge, Heart Math Tutoring, Classroom Central, and 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)!

Follow me on social media (list your platform(s) of choice) throughout my #JLC #LBDI2023 journey.

Thank you and warmest regards!