We’ve seen it firsthand. Art has the power to drive progress and inspire meaningful action in the world. In 2020, we took a stand against racism, inviting our artist community to join us in fundraising for organizations fighting racial injustice. This was one of the events that inspired us to launch Threadless Causes. The ongoing initiative allows you to make a positive impact in the world by purchasing designs directly supporting organizations doing critical work. In 2020 alone, and thanks to help from the Threadless community, we collectively donated nearly $800,000 to more than 25 charities!
So how exactly does it work? Every time you purchase a Causes–related product, both Threadless and the artist who created the design will donate a portion of proceeds to the artist’s preferred charity. This process enables the Threadless community to come together and help make a difference in the lives of people in need.
Since the beginning, our ever-expanding list of Causes has included Racial Injustice. The organizations in this category actively fight for racial equality in an effort to end systemic racism. Read on to learn more about what each organization does and shop designs that directly support their mission.
Black Lives Matter works to eradicate white supremacy.
This global organization started in 2013 as a response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Their mission is to end white supremacy and counteract violence inflicted upon Black communities by the state and vigilantes. They build grassroots power in Black communities that are left out of the political process. They also aim to create new spaces and opportunities to amplify Black stories.
Black Visions Collective works to dismantle systems of oppression.
Based in the Twin Cities, this nonprofit organization is committed to justice and the liberation of the Black community. Intersecting with LGBTQIA+ communities, they aim to build relationships across movements to address the diverse needs of all Black people. In order to foster change, they aim to build visionary, strategic, and sustainable movements.
The Bail Project combats mass incarceration.
The Bail Project is a national revolving bail fund on a mission to end the cash bail system. By providing free bail assistance to low-income individuals, the fund prevents incarceration and counteracts racial and economic disparities in the bail system. Ultimately, their goals are to restore the presumption of innocence and create a more just, equitable, and humane pretrial process.
Unicorn Riot exposes root causes of societal issues.
Unicorn Riot is a decentralized nonprofit media collective of artists and journalists. They’re known for unveiling sources of economic, environmental, and racial injustice in the United States and exploring sustainable alternatives. Their commercial-free platform also operates independent of corporate or government control.
Chicago Freedom School creates new generations of critical thinkers.
Founded in 2007, Chicago Freedom School equips young people with the tools to take action for justice in their communities. Their innovative programs study past movements, explore current social issues, and develop actionable strategies for change. In addition, they offer resources and training for adult allies.
Reclaim the Block works to reinvest city budgets to promote community health and safety.
This Minneapolis grassroots organization aims to reallocate money from the police department to programs that truly promote health and safety. Moreover, Reclaim the Block emphasizes policies that strengthen community-led safety initiatives and reduce reliance on police departments.
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) works to transform mental health for queer and trans people of color.
This organization’s overall goal is to increase access to healing justice resources for queer and trans people of color (QTPoC). They acknowledge that the mental health field is largely inaccessible and harmful to QTPoC. That’s why they’re committed to cultivating resources rooted in social justice and liberation.
Your purchasing power can benefit a wide array of organizations fighting Racial Injustice around the globe. Keep in mind, this list of organizations continues to grow and evolve! To get an idea of how fundraising can translate to action in the real world, read how our Face Masks raised over $500,000 for MedShare. Also visit our Threadless Causes page to find more designs benefiting Causes ranging from Suicide Prevention to Human Rights.
