How You Can Help Fundraise for World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day, a nationally recognized global awareness day, takes place on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The theme for WDSD this year is – With Us Not For Us. This theme calls on nonprofit organizations and supporters to include people with Down syndrome and make decisions with them, not for them. This approach is key to a human rights-based approach to disability. A human rights-based approach views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working with others to improve their lives.

Interested in learning how you can get involved, raise awareness, and fundraise for World Down Syndrome Day? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of ways you can be a part of the movement.

Bonfire Giving Campaigns You Can Support

Here is a list of 5 campaigns on Bonfire that are raising funds for World Down Syndrome Day! Purchasing a shirt from any one of these campaigns will send funds directly to awesome organizations that are working for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome.

Choose Kindness

The Choose Kindness campaign is raising proceeds for the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware, a nonprofit organization that supports families, promotes community involvement, and encourages a lifetime of opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

Your purchase helps the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware continue to be a supportive resource and advocate for the acceptance and understanding that will allow individuals with Down syndrome to achieve the same level of access and opportunity as their peers.

Launch your own fundraising campaign for the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware.

Be Kind, Accept, Include

The Be Kind, Accept, Include campaign directly benefits the Down Syndrome Association of Central New Jersey, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing support, education, opportunity and enrichment to persons with Down Syndrome and their families.

Buying a t-shirt from this campaign will help the Down Syndrome Association of Central New Jersey continue to utilize their education programs to break down barriers, eliminate misconceptions, and promote inclusion for those with Down Syndrome.

Launch your own fundraising campaign for the Down Syndrome Association of Central New Jersey.

Celebrate Differences

The Celebrate Differences campaign is fundraising for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network, the largest national organization that provides support for new and expectant parents with a Down syndrome diagnosis. Their mission is to connect, support, and provide accurate information to parents – and the medical professionals who serve them – from the time of diagnosis through age 3 while fostering the opportunity for lifelong connections.

Purchasing from this campaign will help the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network continue to provide support and connections, national and local resources, and accurate, updated, unbiased information to parents of children with Down syndrome.

Launch your own fundraising campaign for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network.

World Down Syndrome Day 3/21/2023

The World Down Syndrome Day 3/21/2023 campaign was created by Brittany Stephens in support of her daughter, Clara, and to raise funds for Down Syndrome Alabama. Down Syndrome Alabama works to empower individuals with Down syndrome to live meaningful lives as contributing members of their communities throughout all stages of life.

Buying a shirt from this campaign helps fund DSA’s advocacy efforts, their support efforts for new parents, their scholarship funds, and their various year-round programming.

Peace, Love, Inclusion

The Peace, Love, Inclusion campaign is raising money for the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota, an organization whose mission is to empower individuals and families, to create community, and to celebrate the abilities of people with Down syndrome.

Making a purchase from this campaign helps the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota fund their resources, programs, and activities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Launch your own fundraising campaign for the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota.

Browse our marketplace to see more Bonfire campaigns that are fundraising for World Down Syndrome Day!

Launch Your Own Bonfire Giving Campaign

If you’re interested in creating your own fundraising campaign in honor of World Down Syndrome Day – we’ve got you covered! When you launch a Giving Campaign on Bonfire, all proceeds raised from sales will go directly to the designated organization of your choice.

Here’s how to launch a Giving Campaign in a few easy steps:

When setting up your campaign on Bonfire, you will design your shirt, set your prices and then set your campaign type to “Fundraising”. Next, you will select that you wish to send your payout directly to a 501(c)3 of your choice.

Use the search bar to find and select the nonprofit you’re raising money for. As long as the nonprofit can be found on Candid, you can find it in our search tool. You can search using the nonprofit’s name or the EIN associated with the organization. Once you’ve connected the nonprofit of your choice, your campaign is automatically set up to send funds to them directly.

After you’ve finalized your campaign, you can go ahead and launch! Your page will prominently display who you’re fundraising for so your community can learn more about the cause and the organization itself. If buyers want to know more about the organization you’re donating your funds to, they can click on the green heart next to the name of the nonprofit to see the location, EIN, and verification status of the organization.

Organizations You Can Get Involved With That Support and Advocate for the Down Syndrome Community

Here is a list of 3 awesome organizations you should know about, as well as how you can get involved with each one! Each of these organizations is making a difference every day for people with Down syndrome.

Participate in a Buddy Walk with National Down Syndrome Society

The National Down Syndrome Society is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. In 1955, they started Buddy Walks to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness. Every year, NDSS hosts dozens of Buddy Walks across the US. These events raise awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families.

See the 2023 Buddy Walk schedule and find a Buddy Walk near you!

Fund College Scholarships for Students With Down Syndrome by Donating to Ruby’s Rainbow

Ruby’s Rainbow is a nonprofit that grants scholarships to students with Down syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education, including enrichment or vocational classes. Ruby’s Rainbow helps them achieve their dreams of higher education while also “spreading awareness of their capabilities and general awesomeness.”

Donate to Ruby’s Rainbow scholarship fund!

Help New and Expectant Parents Celebrate Babies With Down Syndrome by Supporting Jack’s Basket

Jack’s Basket is an organization that delivers welcome baskets to new parents who have a child with Down syndrome. These baskets include personal letters from families raising children with Down syndrome, brochures from organizations supporting children and families with Down syndrome, books, and an assortment of baby necessities and accessories. Their mission is to ensure that every new and expectant parent is provided resources and avenues of support within the community.

Request a complimentary gift basket for the family of a baby diagnosed with Down syndrome, or donate funds or supplies to Jack’s Basket.

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Thank you for taking the time to read about different ways you can fundraise, volunteer, donate, and offer support in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day!

Written by: Hayden Ireland / Content Specialist
Illustrated by: Madison Summers / Lead Marketing Designer