There are many channels available to nonprofits to communicate and interact with their supporters. It is important to tell your <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/blog/storytelling-the-best-nonprofit-marketing-strategy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">nonprofit’s story</a> through different platforms in order to connect with supporters whose donations habits vary. YouTube is a channel that takes some time to establish, but once up and running it can be of huge benefit to nonprofits and charity organizations. Whether you are looking to expand your nonprofit’s advocate and donor base, market for an upcoming fundraiser, or keep supporters engaged and inspired, YouTube has a lot to offer.&nbsp;<img src="https://cms.donorthreesixty.com/uploads/Adobe_Stock_330161857_2c69b5af3e.jpeg"><h1>YouTube: Modern Marketing for a Nonprofit&nbsp;</h1>Nearly <a href="https://socialimpact.youtube.com/why-youtube/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">a third of all </a>internet users regularly watch YouTube videos. Video has a unique ability to engage people and can be a powerful tool for storytelling. YouTube is accessed by people across many different demographics, including students, professionals, teachers, parents, and everyone in between. The platform offers a way to share content that informs, teaches, and inspires, as well as a way to open direct lines of communication with one’s audience. Youtube is free to use, and if used correctly can actually be of huge financial benefit when marketing a nonprofit.<h2>1. Tap into an Enormous Pool of Potential Supporters&nbsp;</h2>Nearly <a href="https://socialimpact.youtube.com/why-youtube/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">1.5 billion</a> people use YouTube each month. YouTube is more than another social media channel, it is an enormous search engine that can connect a nonprofit to motivated supporters. YouTube reaches more people between the ages of <a href="https://socialimpact.youtube.com/why-youtube/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">18 and 34</a> than any U.S. cable network. Young adults of this age group live large parts of their lives online and are big consumers of social media. It's no surprise that they also <a href="https://www.charitableimpact.com/blog/differences-in-giving-by-generations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">prefer to go online</a> to connect with and donate to their favorite charity organizations. YouTube offers a great way to effectively communicate with this large, motivated audience of volunteers, donors, and advocates.&nbsp;Viewer engagement for posts on Instagram or Facebook generally peaks very quickly and then quickly loses traction. YouTube videos, on the other hand, tend to gain more interest over time. Nurturing a community on YouTube is a commitment, however, during this period of growth, sharing content builds trust with supporters and creates a sense of unity among viewers. As you share your nonprofit’s mission, triumphs, and challenges, supporters, and volunteers gain valuable insight into an organization’s dedication to its cause and how they can fit into that purpose.<h2>2. Supporters can Donate Directly from YouTube</h2>The <a href="https://socialimpact.youtube.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">YouTube Social Impact</a> program was created to support nonprofits using YouTube to market for their causes. The program includes vital information on how to use YouTube effectively as a tool for marketing for a nonprofit, as well as stories of other nonprofits who are currently using YouTube to create a bigger impact. A nonprofit’s supporters are able to make <a href="https://socialimpact.youtube.com/how-to/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">direct donations</a> from the organization’s videos. YouTube also equips nonprofits with special “Link Anywhere” cards that enable them to link to any URL. These tools give nonprofits the ability to use their content to its fullest when it comes to driving motivated donors to give. For organizations that build up a large following, YouTube ads can be inserted into videos creating yet another stream of income for the nonprofit’s mission.<h2>3. YouTube Allows You to Communicate Directly with Supporters</h2>Video offers a unique way to connect with an audience on a deeper emotional level. Sharing videos of the work your organization is doing gives supporters an inside look at who or what benefits from the program and why it is so necessary. Sharing regular content of a program’s progress shows supporters that their donations are making a difference and reinforces why they continue to donate their money or time to the cause. The comments section allows supporters to share stories, ideas, and motivation behind their dedication to the organization. This sharing of ideas builds a sense of community among donors and the nonprofit and helps supporters feel personally connected to the cause.<h2>4. Video is a Powerful Way to Tell a Story</h2>Video has been a powerful marketing tool for a long time as it enables viewers to connect on a deeper emotional level than images, text, or audio alone. Nonprofits are beginning to tap into this previously lesser-used medium to connect with supporters, donors, and advocates in an innovative way. Video can be used to give a complete picture of a nonprofit’s work. While written stories or testimonials are powerful, video allows for an inside look that lets viewers connect emotionally with the story they see. If possible, try to include videos of the population, place, or people that are impacted by your nonprofit's program, including personal testimonials when appropriate. In this <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2021/04/26/10-ways-nonprofits-can-leverage-visual-storytelling/?sh=1569b12389ec" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">article</a>, 10 leaders from Forbes Nonprofit Council discuss why video is so impactful for a nonprofit’s audience and engagement rate.&nbsp;<h2>Create Deeper Connections with Your Nonprofit’s Audience</h2>In the end, a nonprofit’s audience is one of its most valuable assets. Without a motivated base of support, it would be very difficult for nonprofits and charity organizations to accomplish their goals. Taking the time to expand and nurture an audience pays off in more ways than one. Aside from increasing donations, channels like YouTube can also help a nonprofit connect with new volunteers and advocates, share ideas and stories, as well as communicate and maintain relationships with supporters.

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There are many channels available to nonprofits to communicate and interact with their supporters. It is important to tell your nonprofit’s story through different platforms in order to connect with supporters whose donations habits vary. YouTube is a channel that takes some time to establish, but once up and running it can be of huge benefit to nonprofits and charity organizations. Whether you are looking to expand your nonprofit’s advocate and donor base, market for an upcoming fundraiser, or keep supporters engaged and inspired, YouTube has a lot to offer. 

4 Reasons to Use Youtube when Marketing for a Nonprofit

As consumers, we have the final say over what ends up on store shelves because we control the demand. Marketers and advertising agencies do their best to steer us toward one product or another, so it’s important that we do our research and use our “shopper’s power” in positive ways. Practicing conscious consumerism means choosing brands that place importance on conserving the Earth and protecting people, instead of simply making a profit.&nbsp;<h1>5 Ways to Practice Conscious Consumerism</h1>Whether you are starting a journey towards conscious consumerism or you are a long-time ethical shopper, it’s always good to stay informed about new ways we can do the most with our purchases. Below you will find five tips to help you determine which brands and products deserve your dollars, and which ones it’s better to leave behind. <h2>Beware of Greenwashed Goods</h2>There is nothing worse than falling in love with a product you believe to be sustainable, only to discover there is nothing eco-friendly about it. The term greenwashing was first used in the 1980s by environmentalist Jay Westerveld, who realized that hotels were encouraging their guests to reuse their towels under the “green” guise of conserving water. In reality, less washing really only helped hotel management spend less on laundry.&nbsp;Companies continue to greenwash their products because the demand for sustainable products continues to grow. Today around <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2022/03/11/consumers-demand-sustainable-products-and-shopping-formats/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">90%</a> of Gen X consumers say they would pay up to 10% more for greener goods. It’s great to see more consumers demand sustainable products, but it also has given companies more incentive to stretch the truth about their products to make them more appealing to the conscious consumerism crowd. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3roITeXVWuE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">This video</a> explains seven deceptive ways that companies greenwash their products, and the big-name corporations responsible for using them.<h2>Choose Organic and Fair Trade</h2>Nearly <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/land-use#:~:text=international%20data%20sources.-,Definitions%20of%20agricultural%20land%20use,%25%20of%20the%20Land%20Area)." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">40%</a> of the Earth’s landmass is now designated for agricultural use. Farming poses many different social and environmental issues, including chemical pollution, irreversible destruction of soil and land, and dangerous, unfair working conditions for farmers. One way to ensure your favorite fruits or cotton clothing came from ethical, eco-friendly origins is to look for organic and Fair Trade products.&nbsp;When looking for organic for Fair Trade products, make sure you look for official labels like <a href="https://global-standard.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">GOTS</a> certified organic cotton or <a href="https://www.fairtrade.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Fair Trade</a> certified. Farms that produce certified organic products must adhere to strict guidelines that protect the environment from pollution and over-use and prohibit the use of dangerous chemicals. The Fair Trade standard also aims to protect the environment and ensures fair and safe working conditions for farmers or employees. It’s now possible to find organic and Fair Trade foods, clothing, and even <a href="https://www.bearsforhumanity.com/collections/all" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">kids toys.</a>&nbsp;<h2>Repair, Repurpose, or Donate Old Items</h2>Part of practicing conscious consumerism is knowing when to shop and when to repair or repurpose. Before you throw away torn or broken items like clothing or kids toys, consider repairing them if possible. Long before fast fashion was <a href="https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/fashion-clothing/what-fast-fashion-why-it-problem" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">wreaking havoc</a> on the environment, our grandparents wore clothing made of long-lasting, naturally decomposing materials like cotton. They also made a point to fix torn or broken items instead of simply running out to buy a new one.&nbsp;Another great option for unwanted or unneeded items around the house is donating them to a local charity organization. Family shelters will happily accept gently used clothing and toys, and animal shelters can utilize old blankets or worn-out plush toys. If you have new or gently used home goods including furniture, appliances, and building materials, they can be donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity, who will sell the items in one of their <a href="https://www.habitat.org/restores/donate-goods#:~:text=Habitat%20ReStores%20are%20home%20improvement,community%20and%20around%20the%20world." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">ReStores</a> and then use the proceeds to continue providing homes for families in need.&nbsp;<h2>Say No to Single-Use Plastic&nbsp;</h2>Over <a href="https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">300 million tons</a> of plastic are created each year and about half of that is used for single-use plastics. Single-use plastics are plastic products that are used and then immediately thrown away, like a plastic bottle of water or a restaurant to-go container. Plastic can take hundreds of years to break down, yet we continue to create massive amounts of it for just a few seconds of use. Cutting all single-use plastics out can be a challenge, but it is possible to make a difference by committing to a few smaller lifestyle changes.&nbsp;You can save money and cut out plastic by purchasing a reusable water bottle, using reusable grocery and produce bags, and bringing your own take-out containers to restaurants. For those single-use plastics that still manage to make it into your home, there are many ways to repurpose them. Plastic food containers like peanut butter jars can be cleaned out and reused. Larger plastic containers can be cut and turned into planters or bird feeders.&nbsp;<h2>Give Ethically to Spread the Word</h2>Next time you give a gift, choose something that sends a deeper message. Gifting products like <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands/equal-exchange" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Equal Exchange</a> Fair Trade coffee or <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands/sjaak-s-organic-chocolates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Sjaak’s</a> organic chocolates help to introduce your friends and family to reputable, sustainable brands that they can feel good about supporting. Smaller, ethical brands are unfortunately up against large, greedy, multi-million dollar corporations that continue to produce cheap goods aimed at winning over customers. We can help ethical, eco-friendly brands to thrive by voting with our dollars for the same values they stand for, each time we shop.&nbsp;<h2>Small Conscious Choices Make a Difference</h2>At Donor360, we believe that consumers hold great power when it comes to determining the direction our world is heading in. That’s why we work hard to form connections with trustworthy, sustainable brands that believe in protecting the environment and providing better futures for all. Each time you make a purchase in a Donor360 eShop or fundraiser, you can rest assured that the product comes from ethical, eco-friendly origins. Practicing conscious consumerism is something we can all take part in. With a little bit of research, a few lifestyle changes, and the dedication to choose better for ourselves and the world, we can all move towards a more sustainable future.

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As consumers, we have the final say over what ends up on store shelves because we control the demand. Practicing conscious consumerism means choosing brands that place importance on conserving the Earth and protecting people, instead of simply making a profit. 

5 Tips to Practice Conscious Consumerism

At Donor360, we connect donors to causes that matter through our innovative, ethical eShops. We are always looking for new ways to improve user experience on our platform - more movement in our eShops means more funds raised for causes that matter.&nbsp;Recently, we added upgrades to our eShops based on feedback from our customers. These upgrades give fundraisers more control over the look and feel of their eShops. If your organization has been searching for new nonprofit fundraising ideas, there has never been a better time to start a Donor360 eShop.<h1>The New Donor360 eShop: A Powerful Nonprofit Fundraising Idea</h1><img src="https://cms.donorthreesixty.com/uploads/Screen_Shot_2022_05_06_at_2_13_17_PM_614d6a7c1d.png" width="718" style="display: block; margin: auto;">A Donor360 eShop gives charities and nonprofits the power to connect to networks of motivated donors. Our eShops are now even more customizable so that they can echo the branding of your nonprofit, brand, or corporation. New banner options are now available, as well as updated shortcuts to enhance user experience on the platform.&nbsp;<h2>Sell from your Website with a White-labeled eShop</h2>One of the most exciting capabilities of the new eShops is the option to white-label your eShop to match your website’s branding. Our eShop embed code automatically pulls your website’s fonts, styles, and colors so that it matches your website seamlessly. You can create your own store on the eShop builder in a matter of minutes and have it up and running in no time, with no need to buy or store inventory. It’s truly the easiest way for charities to start stores of their own.&nbsp;<h2>Tell Your Story with Customizable Banners</h2>No matter how you choose to host your eShop, you have the option to add an engaging banner image that can also be customized. You can now choose the display size of your banner image; small, medium, or full-page, to tell your story best. You can also add a customizable color overlay to tie into your company or nonprofit’s color scheme. If you don’t utilize banners on your website, or if you already have a banner in your website’s header, you can turn off the banner option.<h2>Engage Donors with Videos about Your Cause</h2>To give donors a firsthand look at the programs or projects your charity is currently working on, you can add a YouTube or Vimeo video to your eShop page. You can choose to have the video play immediately when someone opens the eShop page, or you can include a play button that will be displayed on the eShop banner. If you choose to use the play button, you’ll be able to customize the text on the button. If you choose this option, try using something intriguing for your button text. Something like “Recent Donation-Sponsored Rescues” would work well for a Humane Society. This is a great way to engage customers and show them exactly what programs their donations will go towards.<h2>Drive More Sales with Improved Customer Experience</h2>We have also updated the filter menu to make it simple for customers to shop according to their unique preferences. The filter menu is now hidden and will pop out when clicked on, making the eShop page less cluttered but easy to navigate. Filters include options like product category or brand, which make it easy for customers to find exactly what they are looking for.&nbsp;<h2>Attract Attention with Key Product Values&nbsp;</h2>Once you’ve set up the design of your eShop, you can choose which ethical and eco-friendly products you’d like to include in your fundraiser. When choosing your products, you’ll notice we’ve added tags like “Certified Fair Trade” and “Certified Organic.” These value proposition tags help conscious customers shop easier by quickly connecting with the ideals that are important to them. Ethical product values create an added incentive for customers to make repeat purchases of products they frequently use, like Fair Trade coffee or organic chocolate.&nbsp;<h2>Encourage Donations with Automatic Add</h2>Your eShop cart will now automatically include a $50 added cash donation that invites customers to amplify their impact. The cash donation can be increased, or of course removed, depending on customer preference. By including the cash donation in the cart automatically, customers are more likely to continue with the cash donation with their purchase.&nbsp;<h2>Track Your Donations &amp; Orders on the Dashboard</h2>Our eShop dashboard is new and improved to easily track your donations and sales. We have included powerful analytic tools so you can continually optimize your shop. On the dashboard, you can see how much your eShop has made in a week, month, or year, as well as how many overall units have been sold. This information gives you the power to adjust your product offerings based on what donors like best, or even start fundraisers around specific products that do well in your eShop.&nbsp;<h2>Make a Difference with Donor360</h2>At Donor360, we pay careful attention to our customers’ feedback and work hard to make improvements accordingly. We want to help you make a difference in the world, whether it is on the local, national, or global level. A Donor360 eShop is a powerful way to ignite change and connect with others who want to help. Now with new and improved upgrades, our eShops are ready to help you raise more funds than ever for the causes you care about.&nbsp;To get started with an eShop today, register at donorthreesixty.com/signup.&nbsp;

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At Donor360, we connect donors to causes that matter through our innovative, ethical eShops. Recently, we added upgrades to our eShops based on feedback from our customers. These upgrades give fundraisers more control over the look and feel of their eShops. If your organization has been searching for new nonprofit fundraising ideas, there has never been a better time to start a Donor360 eShop.


Nonprofit Fundraising Ideas: New Donor360 eShops that Match Your Website

Donor360 eCommerce fundraisers help to raise funds for worthy causes while supporting ethical, eco-friendly brands. This can be a real selling point when raising money for a cause. You’re not just asking for people to donate—you’re inviting them to buy products from ethical brands, and support a cause in the process! The key is to know how and where to share your fundraiser for maximum engagement.&nbsp;<h1>Ways to Share Your Fundraisers for Nonprofits</h1>Think of sharing your fundraiser as an opportunity to educate and excite supporters about the many ways that the campaign is doing good in the world. When telling people about your fundraiser, think about it as sharing a story. Give details about the ways that the charity is making a difference, and share stories about specific people, animals, or ways they’ve helped. You can also share facts and figures from the brands you’ve chosen to vend in your fundraiser. Have a look at their <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">brand page</a> on Donor360 to find out their specific impacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Below are some fun ideas of where to share your next fundraiser. All the different sharing options will have slightly different ways to share best, but always keep in mind to speak to peoples’ hearts and emotions!&nbsp;When choosing where to share your campaign, think about who you want to reach and choose a way that makes sense for them. For example, young adult donors are more <a href="https://doublethedonation.com/tips/matching-grant-resources/nonprofit-fundraising-statistics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">inspired to give</a> through social media, while older generations respond better to emails.<h2>Create a Facebook Group or Event</h2>A Facebook group or event page can be a great place to grab your friends’ attention and build excitement around your cause. Here, you can invite people who you think will resonate with your cause and ask them to invite their friends as well. You can post updates about how your fundraiser is doing, remind people to keep giving and share special details about products or the cause. Make sure your campaign link is clearly visible on the page and invite the group to share the link on their social media as well.&nbsp;<h2>Share Your Fundraiser on Linkedin</h2><h2><img src="https://cms.donorthreesixty.com/uploads/Adobe_Stock_321173311_Editorial_Use_Only_b2f8a3a9a9.jpeg" width="399" style="font-size: 13px; display: block; margin: auto;"></h2>Sharing your fundraiser on Linkedin will give your professional network an opportunity to contribute to your fundraiser. If you have added things like seed pencils and organic coffee to your eCommerce fundraiser, you can invite corporations or businesses to buy some office supplies from your fundraiser. Getting businesses involved can be a good way to increase the number of donations and orders you receive because they may be able to afford larger orders than individual donors.&nbsp;<h2>Get Your Co-workers Involved&nbsp;</h2>Instead of just asking your coworkers to support your fundraiser, you can ask them to fundraise with you! You can use fundraising as a teambuilding exercise by creating teams and seeing who can raise the most money. You can also ask your office manager if they can purchase some office supplies from your fundraiser.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Write the Fundraiser Link in Interesting Places</h2>The advertising industry tells us that the more times someone sees your brand’s image, the more likely they are to remember and come back to it. Get your fundraiser out and in front of as many people as possible by displaying your link everywhere! Hang up posters around town, ask local businesses to display the fundraiser information to their guests, or create stickers to be passed out.&nbsp;<h2>Share Your Fundraiser in Facebook Groups&nbsp;</h2>Facebook groups are a great place to connect with others who support the same cause or share similar values. Search for groups in your local area that may be interested in participating in your fundraiser or even collaborating. National and global groups can also provide huge audiences of potential supporters.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Create a Pin</h2><img src="https://cms.donorthreesixty.com/uploads/Tcho_Chocolate_s_Impact_shows_10_000_donated_per_year_to_the_African_Cocoa_Initiative_II_6b5cf5af8f.png" alt="Tcho Chocolate's Impact shows $10,000 donated per year to the African Cocoa Initiative II" width="363" style="display: block; margin: auto;">Use an eye-catching photograph or graphic about your fundraiser or cause and pin it to Pinterest. Remember that Pinterest is visual, so make sure that your pin is attractive and engaging. You could use a fact that has something to do with your cause or a picture of the amazing products with a statistic about how they are ethically made. You can make more than one Pin, and use different tags to get them seen across many boards. Link the Pin to your fundraiser so people can immediately find out more and have the chance to shop and support.&nbsp;<h2>Team Up with the Brands You Feature in Your Fundraiser</h2>In your Donor360 fundraiser, you’ll have the chance to include goods like <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands/tcho" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Fair Trade chocolate</a> and <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands/grounds-and-hounds-coffee-co" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">organic coffee</a>. The brands on Donor360 are committed to doing good by the Earth and its people, and their customers are as well. They more than likely would love to help you with your fundraiser. You can reach out to the brands you’re featuring and ask them to feature your campaign on their social media, in their next newsletter, or on their website.&nbsp;<h2>Make Flyers with QR Codes&nbsp;</h2>It’s important to make your fundraiser as easy as possible to find. Using QR codes on flyers, posters, and even stickers will make it super easy for people to reach your fundraising page. There are many sites that generate QR codes for <a href="https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">free.</a>&nbsp;<h1>Encourage Your Network to Start Fundraisers of their Own&nbsp;</h1>Sharing your fundraiser with friends, family, coworkers, and employees will help you make the biggest impact. You can amplify this by asking everyone who donates to start fundraisers of their own. Every time someone new starts a fundraiser, the tree supporting the cause gets a bit bigger and its branches touch more people. By powerfully sharing the cause you care so much about, you can ignite a movement of people who care and want to make a difference as you do.&nbsp; To start your own eCommerce fundraising campaign for a cause you care about, <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/signup" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">register here.</a>&nbsp;

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Online fundraisers for nonprofits are a popular way to raise money for causes, but it can be hard to know where and how to share fundraiser pages to attract attention. It's disheartening to start a fundraiser, only to have it fall short of its goal. 

How do you get people excited about donating? With so many things going on online, how can you get attention for your fundraiser? 

How and Where to Share Online Fundraisers for Nonprofits

Nearly <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us/recent-trends-in-ge-adoption/#:~:text=Currently%2C%2088%20percent%20of%20U.S.,engineered%2C%20insect%2Dresistant%20seeds." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">90% of cotton</a> is planted with genetically modified seeds in the United States. The ‘conventional’ process to grow cotton creates mass amounts of environmental contamination and the cotton itself is showered with chemicals, making it one of the dirtiest crops around. These contaminants and growing methods have far-reaching environmental impacts on the globe and in our homes. To avoid chemicals and pollutants sneaking into your home through cotton products, it”s advisable to switch to organic cotton clothing.<h1>The Dangers of GMO Cotton</h1>Genetically modified cotton boasts plenty of seemingly-positive attributes, such as high resistance to cotton pests like bollworms. The cotton seeds are genetically modified so that the plants contain a protein toxic to pests. This sounds good, however, the insects are able to quickly adapt to the insecticidal proteins in the cotton. In the end, farmers still need to use heavy doses of chemical pesticides to keep the pests at bay as well as chemical fertilizers.Today big-name conventional cotton manufacturers attempt to paint GMO cotton as a superior product, claiming it yields more product and uses less water. However, the truth is GMO cotton raises serious health and environmental concerns.<h2>Toxic Chemicals</h2>As it grows, GMO cotton is exposed to large amounts of commercial pesticides or herbicides in an attempt to ward off pests and increase production. Glyphosate (the chemical found in Roundup) is the most commonly-used chemical pesticide on numerous crops around the world, including cotton. In 2019 the chemical was proven to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1383574218300887" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">increase the risk</a> of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41%. Farmers, especially those in rural or developing areas with fewer safety protocols, suffer the risk of inhaling carcinogens after repeated exposure to pesticides.&nbsp;Chemical traces in cotton can also be absorbed through the skin while the material is being processed, or while being worn or used by consumers. Babies learn through interacting with their environments using all of their senses. If toys or clothing contain chemical traces, they can be absorbed through the child’s mouth or the skin. Since oftentimes these chemicals are not explicitly included in the label, or not included at all, children may suffer from allergies or skin reactions from hidden chemicals found in “safe” products.&nbsp;<h2>Water Waste</h2>The apparel industry is notorious for <a href="https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/sustainable-fashion/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">wasting huge amounts of energy and water</a>. One claim of GMO cotton proponents is that the process requires much less water than traditional cotton farming. In reality, harsh chemical pesticides destroy the soil composition and make it hard for the soil to conserve water for drier times.&nbsp;The pesticides also disperse and contaminate any nearby water sources. Fibers and materials nonprofit, Textile Exchange, compared Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of GMO cotton and organic cotton and found that the organic process did in fact <a href="https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton/?gclid=CjwKCAiA1JGRBhBSEiwAxXblwZu7WZoNkECee0GwJRKDXUMRb8mUZX-IQZmclt_BsXOjLNaeJchtxBoCkXkQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">use less water</a> as well as remove the risk of chemical contamination of nearby water sources.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>The True Value of Organic Cotton</h1>As consumers become more aware of the hidden dangers lurking in GMO cotton products, more innovative brands step up and commit to using organic cotton. It’s now possible to find all sorts of products, from <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands/allmade" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">clothing</a> to <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands/bears-for-humanity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">teddy bears</a> to diapers, that are made with 100% organic cotton. The only snag is that these items often come with a higher price tag, which may discourage some from making the switch to go organic.&nbsp;While at first, it may seem like paying more for almost the same product, the truth is the process to make organic cotton is entirely different than conventional methods. While GMO cotton fibers can be processed, cut, sewn, and dyed in one factory, producing certified 100% organic cotton requires separate steps and much more attention to detail. In order for a material or fabric to pass the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) testing, the fabric is examined and tested to ensure zero contamination occurred at any step in production.&nbsp;Often brands that have committed to creating an organic product rely on small-scale, artisanal, and Fair Trade workshops to complete the time-consuming process of making organic cotton. This means workers are paid a fair living wage, do not face a dangerous or toxic work environment, and can expect a regular work schedule, unlike factories that pay per piece.&nbsp;<h1>Find Organic Cotton Clothing &amp; Toys on Donor360</h1>If you are interested in supporting organic cotton brands and their mission to make the world a cleaner, greener place, you can get started right here on Donor360. <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands/allmade" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Allmade</a> is an innovative apparel brand that is dedicated to creating customizable, organic clothing while paying its employees a fair living wage. For 100% organic teddy bears and plushies for kids, check out <a href="https://www.donorthreesixty.com/brands/bears-for-humanity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Bears for Humanity</a>. Their cuddly bears are perfect for kids of all ages and guaranteed to be hypoallergenic and free of any chemicals or heavy metals.&nbsp;

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Nearly 90% of cotton is planted with genetically modified seeds in the United States. The ‘conventional’ process to grow cotton creates mass amounts of environmental contamination and the cotton itself is showered with chemicals, making it one of the dirtiest crops. To avoid chemicals and pollutants sneaking into your home through cotton products, it”s advisable to switch to organic cotton clothing.