1. BOOST YOUR IMPACT
Fair Trade
Toolkit
Modeled from Fair Trade USA’s Fair Trade
Town Toolkit

2. Lesson #1:
 Don’t try to reinvent the wheel!
 If it’s you on your own or as a small company use
EVERY available resource to your advantage
 Fair Trade USA is a global company with massive
resources and well-funded research – If they put it
out there for free – USE IT

3. The Approach:
 Utilizes a Grassroots approach to work from the
bottom -> up instead of top -> down
 Capitalizes on the local movement – Locavore
Challenge
 Economic Policy -> Social Movement
 Towns + Universities

4. Step 1: Build Your Team
 Reach out to different sectors – academia, faith-
based organizations, non-profits, university
students
 Maintain a manageable central group
 1. Identify Potential Supporters
 2. Build Diversity in Your Group
 3. Get Started Online
 4. Celebrate!!

5. Social Media:
 Blog
 Facebook
 Twitter
 Youtube + Flicker
 Online Petitions
 Email List

6. Goal 2: Reach out to Retailers!
 Figure out your city size
 Host a Scavenger Hunt to find FT products
 Create a Google Spreadsheet to track progress
 Build a “Where to Buy” List + Map
 Follow Up with Retailers
 Celebrate!!

7. Goal 3: Engage Your Town!
 Reach Out to Community Organizations
 Send a Letter to Each Person on Your List
 Follow Up!!!!
 Help Your New Partners Convert to Fair Trade
 Celebrate!!!!!!

8. Goal 4: Get Some Love from the
Media!
 Plan an exciting Community Event to publicize
your Campaign
 Create a Press Release
 Develop Relationships with Reporters
 Respect Deadlines and Follow Up
 Celebrate!!!!

9. Goal 5: Pass a Fair Trade Resolution
 Find a Legislative Champion
 Create a Resolution
 Show your Support
 Thank your Elected Officials
 Celebrate!!!

10. Fundraising with Fair Trade
 Step 1: Host a Fair Trade Fundraiser
 Step 2: Host a Fair Trade Event
 Step 3: Apply for Local Grants
 Step 4: Apply for National Grants
 Step 5: Secure a Fiscal Sponsor

11. Fair Trade Tactics:
 Live Campaigning
 Gathering e-mails for a mailing list (especially
outside establishments like Whole Foods or near
local farmers’ markets, where the clientele
generally pride themselves on being more
socially aware)
 Door-to-door campaigning

12. Print Media:
 Print Media
 Postcards
 Flyers
 Advertisements in women’s magazines
(Cosmopolitan, O, Allure, Martha Stewart Living)

13. The Internet:
 Internet
 Guest columns in alternative news media and blogs (in
Reddit.com, NOLA Defender, etc.)
 Fair Trade Blog (www.boostfairtradenola.com)
 Setting up this blog to address general information on
Fair Trade, frequently asked questions, myths, updates
on local events and community meetings, pickets, and
guest blog entries)
 Twitter
 Facebook
 Pinterest

14. Television/Radio:
 Guest slots on local radio/TV news programming
 Public service announcements (which may
double as a Youtube video series)