Art throughout history has always been a powerful tool that drives cultural change and gives a voice to the underserved and underrepresented. We aim to continue that tradition with Threadless Causes, an initiative that enables our artist community and YOU to raise funds for organizations doing vital work around the world. Here’s how it works:
- Our artists select designs from which they’ll donate a portion of their proceeds. Then, they choose specific causes and charities they want to support.
- YOU help fundraise for these charities by purchasing Causes–related designs.
- Threadless also donates a portion of net proceeds from the sale of every product associated with Causes.
In other words, Threadless Causes is a team effort and YOU play a critical role. Your purchasing decisions have the power to fuel charitable organizations currently making a difference in people’s lives. So flex your philanthropic muscles and prepare to shop with purpose!
The Origin Story of Threadless Causes
Between a global pandemic, natural disasters, and civil unrest, the year 2020 will go down as one of the most turbulent periods in our history. However, if there’s any silver lining, it’s that these trying times have forced us all to pause, reflect, and figure out ways we can enact tangible change in our own communities and beyond. Here are some of the notable events that led to the creation of Threadless Causes.
Raising $500,000 for MedShare
Back in March, when the pandemic began spreading like wildfire across the United States, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended everyone to wear cloth face coverings in public to help protect the most vulnerable people in our communities. That’s when we decided to launch face masks and donate 100% of the net proceeds up to $100,000 to MedShare, a nonprofit that delivers medical supplies and equipment to communities in need around the world. We’ve continued to donate a portion of our proceeds from every face mask sold and raised more than $500,000 for MedShare!
Threadless Stands Against Racism
Threadless is a diverse, global community of artists and those who support them. We share the anger and sorrow created by the systemic racism prevalent in this world. To show our continued solidarity in the fight against racial injustice, we gave Artist Shop owners the option to donate a portion of their proceeds to eight organizations working to eradicate systemic racism. In addition, we committed to matching total donations up to $100,000.
Threadless Causes is Born!
After witnessing the rapid success of our initial fundraising campaigns, we were floored by the effort and willingness of the entire Threadless community to rally around important Causes. That inspired us to harness the positive energy and expand our focus to include a variety of other critical initiatives doing good all over the globe.
The Causes You Can Support Today
Threadless artists have already unleashed a deluge of new designs that capture the spirit of each available cause. View some of their thoughtful designs below, and learn more about the impact you can make simply with a purchase.
Racial Injustice
Designs in this collection directly benefit a variety of charities acting to eradicate systemic racism and fight racial discrimination.
Humanitarian Aid
Charities associated with this cause deliver medical supplies, food, and other forms of relief to communities in need around the world. Their primary goals are to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity.
Pride / LGBTQIA+
Here, you’ll find designs helping to protect the rights of LGBTQIA+ communities. The associated charities work to ensure all gay, lesbian, and transgendered individuals have access to the resources they need to not only survive, but thrive.
Suicide Prevention
We can all help prevent suicide. Designs in this category support organizations that provide suicide education, information, and essential preventative resources to individuals, families, and communities in need.
Mental Health Awareness
This collection benefits organizations that are helping to reverse the stigma of openly discussing and acknowledging mental health and wellness. These charities are fighting to provide mental-health services to underserved communities around the world.
Although we’re excited to present Threadless Causes, this is only the beginning of our fundraising journey. We plan to keep adding additional causes and charities to maximize our collective impact, and with your help, we can support organizations enacting meaningful change in the world. Visit Threadless to find Causes–related designs, and start using your purchasing power for good!
