Help ZBT raise money to support JWI’s National Library Initiative - a project to create, stock, and sustain children’s libraries in domestic violence shelters across the U.S.
So far, JWI has created nearly 100 of these children’s libraries - transforming basic spaces into comforting havens stocked with colorful furniture, toys, computers, and dozens of brand-new books. In addition to giving the youngest victims of violence a safe, peaceful place to escape chaos, this project has put tens of thousands of books in the hands of kids who are at risk of falling behind in school while they live in limbo between an abusive past and a promising future.
If your chapter raises $2,500 or more, we'll put a bookplate with your name inside each book sent to the shelter. If your chapter raises $25,000 or more, JWI will work with you to open a brand-new children’s library.
Jewish Women International (JWI), one of ZBT’s national philanthropies, provides chapters with prevention programming to create stronger and safer Greek communities.
JWI works with students to create sexual assault and dating violence prevention programming so that they understand how to ask for consent, so that every bystander knows to intervene, so that if a friend discloses after an assault students know how to respond, how to identify an abusive relationship, and build a culture of respect. Together with ZBT, JWI has reached more than 5,000 Greek life students through programs like Safe Smart Dating, a sexual assault and dating violence prevention workshop for Greek life, which has been implemented on over 50 campuses nationwide.
Tips for Successful Fundraising
When you host an event, be sure to tag @JewishWomenIntl and send pictures to JWI!
If you want to host an event or just send an email to friends and family asking for donations, consider the timing: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and April is Sexual Assault Awareness month.
Once your chapter raises $2,500 or more, JWI will place bookplates (stickers with your chapter’s name) inside each book sent to the shelter. This is a good way to boost donations by inspiring a little healthy competition!
Here’s a concise “elevator pitch” to help you explain the project to potential donors:
"We're raising money to help JWI create children's libraries in domestic violence shelters. Kids leave violent homes in a hurry without their belongings and land in shelters with no toys, no books - just their lives, their moms, and the clothes on their backs. These libraries give them a safe, peaceful place to recover and keep up with their studies when they’re most at risk of falling behind in school. ZBT is raising money to keep a steady supply of new books and up-to-date equipment in these libraries, so each child who uses them finds the resources they need, and take a book along to start a new personal library when they leave the shelter to start a new life."
Fundraising Event Ideas
Host a restaurant night or food truck event - proceeds go to JWI.
If your house has a backyard, host a barbecue for members and other Greek life organizations. Charge admission.
During the week leading up to a fraternity event, have a series of fundraising projects like selling food, maybe pie a ZBT or field day.
Organize social media giveaways with items or services donated by local businesses. (Gift certificates, merchandise, food…)
Post an Instagram story soliciting small donations. As soon as friends Venmo you, give them a shout-out with a personalized icon over the amount they donated. Then Venmo the money you’ve raised to JWI (@JewishWomenIntl).
Sample Message to Family & Friends
Hello ______,
As you may know, I’m in Zeta Beta Tau’s [school chapter] chapter at [college/university]. Through a partnership with ZBT’s national philanthropy Jewish Women International (JWI), ZBT is raising money to restock shelves of 100 children's libraries in domestic violence shelters nationwide. By transforming basic spaces into comfortable havens with colorful furniture and rugs, new books, computers and toys, we provide children affected by abuse with support while they are most at risk of falling behind in school. These libraries include books from JWI’s Good Guys Book Project, which are hand-picked books that highlight healthy masculinity and positive male role models.
I remember how valuable reading a book with my parents was, so I would love your support in helping provide other children with the proper resources to have this opportunity too. Donations can be made through our online donation page or via Venmo to @JewishWomenIntl with the caption noting the ZBT [chapter] and [university].
You can learn more about the National Library Initiative at jwi.org/nli.
Thanks in Advance,
[your name]