A new way to fundraise – that goes beyond just raising money.
Backpack Dreams empowers students to fund their activities while creating meaningful change both locally and globally.
When you partner with us for fundraising, you’re also uplifting families around the world. The beautiful, high-quality items in our catalog are crafted by artisans in developing countries and by women in the U.S. who are facing significant barriers to work.
Every sale helps students raise 33% for your program while providing economic opportunity for women to help them transform the cycle of poverty into a cycle of prosperity.
Why choose us?
Participating students gain more than funding: they grow as leaders. We help students link their fundraising to the impact they are making.
Expand your impact: donate backpacks & scholarships!
When you fundraise with Backpack Dreams, customers can donate a backpack or scholarship directly to a child in Guatemala.
Enriching communities at home and away
Each dollar raised supports your program AND provides sustainable income for underemployed women who then reinvest their earnings into their communities and families.
Our work has shown to break the cycle of poverty in one generation. Investing in women changes lives for the next generation because women reinvest their income on the education, nutrition and living conditions of their families.
Innovative & Impactful Fundraising
Developing inspired leaders
Our experiential learning approach helps young people grow in their compassion for the experience of others.
We provide high-impact video content that helps youth connect their fundraising efforts to individual and community empowerment
Students learn about social impact, career paths and ethical product sourcing
Exciting Catalog, Easy Fulfillment
We provide all the materials you need to run a successful fundraiser
You’ll sell premium-quality products using an online store
We ship items directly to customers from our US-based hub - no drop offs or pickups
You earn 33% of total sales to support your youth initiatives
Did you know?
On average, when students sell 15 items in a fundraiser, they create a week of work for our artisan partners.
1 Register
Kick off by registering your group or organization through the contact form below.
2 Schedule
Plan your fundraising event at a time that works for you.
3 Distribute
Share the provided fundraising materials, including access to our digital marketplace and educational content, with your group.
4 Engage
Support your group as they participate and explore the provided materials.
5 Celebrate
Enjoy the success of your fundraiser as you receive your check along with a detailed impact report.
How to fundraise with us:
As simple as that - we’ll take care of everything else and guide you through each step of the process!
Refer a Youth Fundraising Group
Do you know of a school group, teacher, coach, or anyone else who would love to raise money in a meaningful way?
Let us know!
When we grow, the impact to the organizations and artisans also grows. Consider clubs, arts and music programs and educational teams in your sphere.
We thank you for your support!
Our Team
Kara Valentine
-
A visionary Social Impact Entrepreneur, Kara has been a transformative force in the social enterprise space, notably with Threads Worldwide, which empowers women through fair trade artisan jewelry.
Her academic journey at Tufts University and the University of Denver in which she achieved a Masters of Counseling Psychology shaped her into an innovative thought leader and humanitarian, deeply committed to fostering global citizenship and empowering student engagement.
With over 15 years in the non-profit sector, Kara's holistic leadership approach has significantly impacted community development and educational opportunities, driven by her passion and inspired by her two daughters.
Ellen Goldstein
-
With over 30 years of experience, Ellen stands out as a strategic advisor and program innovator in both nonprofit and corporate sectors.
Her expertise, honed with a Master of Social Work and specialized nonprofit management training, has led to pivotal roles, including Chief Operating Officer of a major $20 million nonprofit, and Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) which has a budget of $1.2 billion. Additionally, Ellen was an adjunct professor at the University of Denver’s Daniels School of Business.
Her commitment to ethical product sourcing and social responsibility in education extends beyond her professional achievements, reflecting her passion for international travel, philanthropy, and empowerment through education, all while being a devoted mother to her Guatemalan-born daughter.
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you and welcome your participation in our mission. Whether you're ready to start a fundraiser, have questions about our approach, or want to join the Backpack Dreams community, we’re here to support and advise you every step of the way.
Email: info@backpackdreams.org