Jewish Women International (JWI), one of SDT’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 SDT, JWI has reached more than 4,000 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 nearly 50 campuses nationwide.
What is the National Library Initiative?
JWI has created nearly 100 children’s libraries in domestic violence shelters nationwide - 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.
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, giving kids a safe, peaceful place to recover and study when they’re most at risk of falling behind in school. When mothers and children flee violent homes, they usually have to leave their books, toys, and other belongings behind. SDT is raising money to keep a steady supply of new books and equipment in these libraries, so the kids who use them have access to the resources they need."
Fundraising Event Ideas
Host a self-defense class to empower sisters. Proceeds go to JWI.
Design stickers on RedBubble to sell to members and on campus.
Organize a women’s leadership panel or a women’s day where strong voices are brought together to empower women on each campus. JWI can help connect you with speakers. Topics can include financial literacy, salary negotiation, and more. The entry fee supports JWI.
Partner with local girls’ groups (e.g. a girl scout troop) and do some kind of self-defense/being a strong girl program.
Lawn sign fundraiser: People can purchase a lawn sign that says something like, “I’m Empowered By” and people can write in who or what empowers them and display it on their lawn. This would be good for sorority houses, fraternity houses, buildings and greens on campus, and a great way to spread awareness.
Sell self-defense items like pepper spray, self-defense keychain, whistle, etc.
Design stylish shirts with an inspiring quote to sell to women on campus. (ex: “Empowered Women Empower Women” or “Bold is the New Beautiful.”)
Partner with a trendy jewelry company, like Mantra Bands, Little Words Project, or Pura Vida, etc. to sell a bracelet and get a percentage of the proceeds
Silent auction: Ask local restaurants/businesses if they would be willing to donate for silent auction. (More places than you think will donate.) Also ask parents of members because many have side businesses and this could give them good advertising.
Karaoke event
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 Sigma Delta Tau’s [school chapter] chapter at [college/university]. Through a partnership with SDT’s national philanthropy Jewish Women International (JWI), SDT 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 JWI’s online donation page or via Venmo to @JewishWomenIntl with the caption noting the SDT [chapter] and [university].
You can learn more about the National Library Initiative at jwi.org/nli.
Thanks in Advance,
[your name]
