Get your little black dresses ready!

The Junior League of Chicago (JLC) is preparing to host its 4th annual Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI), from October 21 – October 25, 2024.  JLC members will proudly outfit-repeat during a weeklong advocacy campaign to raise awareness of and funds to support the Junior League of Chicago’s commitment to addressing and combating the impacts of poverty on Chicagoland families suffering from lack of access to essential needs such as food, housing, clothing, education, healthcare, and sanitation.

What is the Little Black Dress Initiative?

Founded in 2014 by the Junior League of London, the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) is a week-long awareness and fundraising campaign that harnesses the power of social media to illustrate the restrictions poverty places on choices, opportunities, and access to resources. Champions wear one black outfit for five consecutive days to spark conversations and awareness about poverty and related issues. To date, dozens of Junior League chapters around the world replicate the initiative in their own communities to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of important community programs. 

Last year, 65 Junior League of Chicago members served as LBDI Champions and raised just over $31k during the inaugural Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) campaign, raising awareness of the JLC’s signature issues and broadening our base of donor support, with funds raised supporting the JLC’s Community Projects.

This year we currently have 106 Junior League of Chicago members serving as LBDI Champions and have a goal of $35k. 

What is “Meeting Essential Needs”?

This year, The Junior League of Chicago’s LBDI campaign focuses on advocating on behalf of our signature issue of Meeting Essential Needs of Chicago’s citizens. This is vitally important to the health and well-being of our community. 

Funds donated to this campaign support JLC’s efforts to address the multifaceted impacts of poverty on a person’s physical and mental well-being by providing access to healthy foods, safe housing, clean clothing, education, healthcare, and sanitation for Chicago’s citizens. As a League, we commit to partnering with existing organizations working towards these goals and advocating on behalf of these issues.

How to Support the Junior League of Chicago’s 4thnd Annual Little Black Dress Initiative:

Participating as an LBDI “Champion” is a great way for JLC members to raise awareness of and funds to combat the impact of poverty in our community. The broader Chicago community is also invited to participate as corporate donors, sponsors, and business hosts for events or to provide donations to help support this mission. Please visit here if you are interested in donating your time, funds, or talent.