Little Black Dress Initiative

The Junior League of London’s 13th LBDI Campaign

Celebrating our 13th year of the Little Black Dress Initiative (#LBDI), we are once again kicking off our campaign to raise funds to combat the impact of poverty right here in London.

From 21st to 27th March 2026, our campaigners will increase awareness about the realities of poverty in our local community and raise funds to help make a real impact for people here in our city. Support the LBDI 2026.

The Little Black Dress Initiative underpins the Junior League of London’s mission to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteering, collaboration and training.

Each donation benefits local community partners and supports the League’s outreach and volunteer training programmes. Thank you for helping us expand our impact and further our mission.

This year LBDI showcases how women can make a real impact for their community where the need is greatest – poverty is higher in London than in any other region or country in the UK.

  • 26% of Londoners are living in poverty — the highest rate in the country.
  • Persistent low income remains disproportionately high among non‑white households, reaching 38% nationally.
  • Single‑parent families continue to face severe hardship, with 43% of children in these households living in poverty.
  • Shelter reports at least 354,000 people are homeless in England — a 14% rise in just one year.

About LBDI (the Little Black Dress Initiative)

LBDI is a week-long, social media-driven fundraising campaign that raises awareness about poverty and its effects on women in society. Throughout the week, participants share posts on facts, photos and JLL programmes on social media to drive online donations.

In the past, LBDI campaigners wore a black dress each day of the campaign to raise awareness. Over the last four years, the Junior League of London has evolved the campaign to shift emphasis from what we wear, to what we do – the little things that can make a big difference.  The overall aims of the campaign remain the same as they always were.

Since our first campaign in 2014, the initiative has expanded to over 100 Junior Leagues across the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, collectively raising more than USD $2 million towards our global mission.

The positive impact of this global initiative is a testament to the JLL’s mission to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training.

Get Involved

There are five ways to get involved in the Junior League of London’s LBDI 2024 campaign:

  1. We invite you to fundraise with us by posting about our work and/or facts on social media to raise awareness and funds.
  2. Show your support by donating to LBDI through our JustGiving page.
  3. Raise awareness about the effects of poverty and the programmes focused on addressing it by following the JLL and our community partners on social media and liking and re-sharing LBDI 2026 campaign posts with the initiative hashtag: #LBDI #JuniorLeagueofLondon #juniorleague # thisjllcan
  4. Donate clothing items to our community partners (Smart Works, Wrap Up London, Migrants Organise).

Any questions or want to get in touch?  Email us at fundraising@jll.org.uk!  Thanks for your support!