While purchasing Fair Trade Certified products is a powerful vote for Fair Trade, TransFair USA relies on supporters like you to help support the movement financially so farmers and consumers around the world can benefit fairly from the global economy. As a non-profit organization, TransFair remains independent and flexible in meeting the needs of farming communities around the world. We turn to friends like you to help us build a community of financial support to be able to continue and expand this critical work.

TransFair USA believes philanthropy - the gift of money or resources to help others - is an opportunity for each of us to make a difference in the world. There is more than one way to ask for support and you should consider what is most comfortable for you and your community.

We recommend that you read through the Making Globalization Work for Everyone and TransFair USA: Fasts Facts About Fair Trade found among these House Party documents. Think about the aspects of Fair Trade that touch you personally.

These questions may get you thinking:

• What draws you to the Fair Trade model?


• Why do you think it is important to transform the global economy to be more equitable?


• How does TransFair USA and the tool of Fair Trade Certification make this possible?


• Why do you think the need for Fair Trade is so critical and timely now?

When talking to friends and asking them to support TransFair financially, give specific examples about the work and how it touches you.

Here is some sample language to get you started:

"Every time I go to buy something, I have started to think who made what I am buying from and what kind of conditions they live in. While the global economy appears to be booming, what I am learning is that it is only benefiting a few and not the low-paid laborers around the world that are victims in the system. I believe that Fair Trade and Fair Trade Certification is a critical tool to support a just and sustainable economic model in these profit-driven times."

"Having the opportunity to travel to a developing country has really opened my eyes to the inequalities that plague our world. I want to make a difference, and somehow help these communities I visited have a quality of life that people in developed countries enjoy. I believe that Fair Trade gets to the heart of the inequality between the laborer and the business owner or stockholder and enables disenfranchised communities to overcome some of the traditional barriers preventing them from gaining ground in the global economic game. I support Fair Trade because I see it as a sustainable alternative to the traditional global economic system."

"I have always enjoyed high quality chocolate. I found out about TransFair USA through a fellow chocolate connoisseur. While the quality of the product first attracted me to Fair Trade, the idea behind the model is what made me continue to support it - both through my buying choices and through donations to the organizations that create this equitable system."

"Financially supporting TransFair USA has given me a true sense of philanthropy - I know I am helping the world to be a better place for my children and for others' children. TransFair keeps me involved in how my money is being used and makes me feel like a member of the Fair Trade family. I support Fair Trade because I think everyone should get a fair share in the world."

"After watching Black Gold and other films about Fair Trade, I see how Fair Trade ensures farmers to get their fair share. I am also glad to know of Fair Trade's high environmental standards. All of our purchases act as a vote for what we value and how we wish the world to work. Fair Trade certification allows my purchase to stand for what I believe while making a tangible difference in the world."

Lessons Learned from Previous House Party Hosts:

• Having a fundraising goal helps. It gives you a target amount to work towards and you can use it as a tool for "the ask". People like to feel they are part of something tangible, helping you (who they trust and admire), meet your goal.


• Standing up for what you believe in and asking people to support Fair Trade and TransFair USA does transform the global trade model as we know it. But you do have to ask people to take action to make this a reality.


• It doesn't matter if you are not able to ask very directly or over-confidently. People will still understand that you wish to raise financial resources for the organization and will give if they are comfortable. People know it takes guts to do what you are doing. They can make a choice for themselves as to whether they will give today or in the future.


• Everyone you invite to your party will be touched by you taking a stand for what you believe in by hosting an event. Even those who cannot attend donate! Do not be shy about providing contact information to those that cannot attend (or, for example, out-of-state family members and friends who you know would be interested, but cannot travel for the event).