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Our Mission:
We exist to reduce poverty in third world countries by creating sustainable jobs and paying prosperity wages.
How the The Blessing Basket Project Began:
In February of 1999, our founder Theresa Wilson, went through a personal crisis. In her time of need, people around her showed their love and support by sending cards of encouragement. She placed these "blessings" into a basket. Calling it her "Blessing Basket" she used it as a source of encouragement, enabling her to journey beyond that difficult time. Inspired by the love others invested in her, Theresa now spreads that same spirit of love around the world.
Prosperity Wages:
In our effort to eliminate poverty, we pay our weavers multiple times more than Fair Trade wages for their baskets. We pay what we call "prosperity wages", many times higher than the market price paid for a basket in their country. Every basket we sell helps create sustainable jobs and helps reduce poverty in the villages we serve.
Non-Profit Status:
We were awarded our 501(c)3 status in November, 2004. We are also a certified not-for-profit corporation in Illinois (click here for more details) and Missouri. (click here for more details.)
What Does This Mean to You?
Any amount you wish to contribute above and beyond your purchase is fully tax deductible.
 Details of our Founder's Story:
The Blessing Basket Project grew from personal turmoil and grief and from the friends and family that showered Theresa Wilson with their love, support and prayers. During this difficult time in her life, cards and letters of encouragement poured in (sometimes from people she didn't even know). These symbols of love inspired Theresa to face each day.
A powerful speaker, Theresa began talking to other women about overcoming trials and speaking to groups while using what she called her "Blessing Basket". As she shared her message, women who heard her began wanting their own Blessing Basket basket. Wanting to make sure the love others invested in her was paid forward, Theresa and Bryan Wilson founded The Blessing Basket Project in April 2004.
To complete the circle of blessing, it seemed vital to Theresa and Bryan that the basket itself provide a financial blessing to the artisan who crafted it. They raised the original funds to start The Project by selling their own antiques, jewelry, and just about anything else they had of value. A special card was crafted to describe these precious baskets as a place to keep anything that will remind you of the blessings in your own life. This card hangs on each Blessing Basket .
Now, the love others showed Theresa is being spread world wide as The Blessing Basket Project provides sustainable employment and prosperity wages to more than 3,000 weavers throughout 6 countries around the world.
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