Why and How I Fundraise for The Hunger Project

Using creativity to spark connection, compassion, and change

There’s something powerful about the idea that creativity can be more than self-expression, it can be a form of contribution. That’s a big part of why I’ve chosen to support The Hunger Project through my art and community projects.

I believe in the ripple effect of small actions. A painting. A class. A moment of connection. They all have the potential to reach far beyond the canvas, and when I found The Hunger Project, I knew I wanted to be part of their ripple.

Why This Cause Matters to Me

The Hunger Project’s mission is bold: to end hunger and poverty through pioneering, sustainable, grassroots solutions. That’s a mouthful but what it really means is that they believe in empowering people, not just giving handouts.

They work primarily in communities across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America with a focus on women-led, community-driven change. They invest in education, leadership, nutrition, health, and income-generating opportunities. And the best part? They stay until the community no longer needs them, usually a 5 year plan. That’s sustainability in action.

For me, that deeply resonates. Art, like social change, is about trusting the process, showing up with intention, and believing in transformation, even when it takes time.

How I Use Art and Community to Support The Hunger Project

Over the past year(s), I’ve been weaving fundraising into different parts of my art practice. Here’s how it’s looked:

• Paint and Sip workshop events where proceeds go to The Hunger Project, like my event in Sydney to help raise $10,000.

• Local community events like an 80’s dance class and an amazing yoga class held by my dear friends within our community. These classes were a hit both in fun, connection but also in a joint venture to help an amazing cause.

• Community painting events or online painting workshops. I held my first online fundraiser paint and sip when I was raising money for THP Larapinta Immersion in 2024. We raised nearly $3,000 just from painting workshops. The rest were direct donation drives, that went straight to my fundraising page (not everyone wants to paint lol – weird I know!).

I’ve found that people want to contribute, they just need a clear, heartfelt invitation. And when that invitation comes through the lens of creativity, joy, and connection, it feels natural and uplifting instead of overwhelming.

A Few Special Moments

One of the most moving experiences for me was when I was hosting my big event in Sydney, and we were just $100’s away from my target of $10,000. The participants were cheering me on by suggesting other ways we could fundraise to meet our target. One that got me over the line was to paint a pet portrait of a recently departed, much loved pet for $500, which I was more than happy to do. It showed me that in a supportive community, we can achieve amazing things. I never thought I could raise $10,000 and here we were. The Final amount was $10,496!

Recently, I held my solo exhibition and painted a series of mini canvases with stories of what I connected with during my visit to Africa last year with The Hunger Project. I thought the paintings would make a nice discussion point, but then when my friend whom I met on the trip bought the four paintings, I was ecstatic! It’s so nice to paint your heart felt stories and have people connect deeply with them. It’s what keeps me going really.

It reminded me that we don’t need to have it all figured out or be millionaires to make a difference, we just need to care, and to act. Each brushstroke, each shared story, each $10 donation, it all matters.

Thank You for Being Part of This

At the heart of it, I believe we’re here not just to create beautiful things, but to create beautiful change. And I’m so grateful that this community shows up with heart and purpose again and again.

Whether you’ve painted with me, donated, or just read this post, thank you. You’re part of something meaningful.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

I will be back next year, fundraising again. But for now, I am enjoying spreading my love of painting and art, through workshops, online tutorials and my ArtFun community launching soon!

To learn more about me and my work go to my website – https://www.jennycookartfun.com

With love,
Jenny Cook