Drawing attention to something is easier naked. Knowing this simple truth, the creators of fund-raising campaigns are often photographed nude for calendars, and the proceeds from their sales normally exceed the amount originally sought. A recent example is the story of Florida farmers who undressed for a “rural calendar” to raise $4,000 to purchase land. They eventually earned more than $35,000.
Equally effective “naked calendars” to raise funds for fights against disease, to help wounded soldiers and abandoned dogs, to organize proms and trips to sporting events. Bird In Flight collected the nine most notable projects of this genre.
Participants: Students of the University of Warwick (United Kingdom)
Goal: To raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Support program
Calendar Price: £8,99
The University of Warwick rowers’ calendar is not being published for the first time. In 2013, its appearance caused a scandal: Facebook blocked the calendar’s images, ruling them to be pornographic. After an appeal and a number of media publications, the Facebook page was reinstated, and the girls earned worldwide fame. The album has sold 1,500 copies, and the 2015 edition has already attracted 200 pre-orders from around the world.
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{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/warwick_21.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Women’s Naked Rowing Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/warwick_31.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Women’s Naked Rowing Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/warwick_41.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Women’s Naked Rowing Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/warwick_5.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Women’s Naked Rowing Calendar”}
Participants: Veterinary students from the University of Sydney (Australia)
Goal: To raise funds for the Greyhound Rescue program
Calendar Price: $20
For ten years, fourth year students (of course, new ones every year) have modeled nude for a calendar, proceeds from the sale of which goes to the rescue of greyhounds — after their sports careers, the dogs are often let go by their owners.
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{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/overalls_2.jpg”, “alt”: “Under the Overalls”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/overalls_3.jpg”, “alt”: “Under the Overalls”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/overalls_4.jpg”, “alt”: “Under the Overalls”}
Participants: Orthodox Christians
Goal: To raise funds for the fight against homophobia in Eastern Europe
Calendar Price: €18,95
The calendar was first released in 2013 with the slogan “For the freedom of speech, unity and tolerance.” It contains 12 pictures of men from different Eastern European countries, undressed in support of the fight against homophobia in their homeland. The third edition of the calendar is available in two versions — standard and “uncensored.”
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{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oc_2.jpg”, “alt”: “Orthodox Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oc_41.jpg”, “alt”: “Orthodox Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oc_6.jpg”, “alt”: “Orthodox Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oc_71.jpg”, “alt”: “Orthodox Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oc_8.jpg”, “alt”: “Orthodox Calendar”}
Participants: Rugby team from Nashville (USA)
Goal: To raise funds for a trip to the Bingham Cup in Australia
Calendar Price: $21
The Nashville Grizzlies, a rugby team, uses the calendar to raise money for a trip to Sydney for the tournament, which is overseen by the International Gay Rugby Association. The Vice President of the Nashville Grizzlies, Marc Pilkington, explained in a comment to Huffington Post the importance of the event, “The Bingham Cup is an experience like no other and to be able to play rugby and fellowship with teams from around the world is something we are all looking forward to.”
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rugby_11.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Grizzlies Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rugby_21.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Grizzlies Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rugby_31.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Grizzlies Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rugby_41.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Grizzlies Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rugby_51.jpg”, “alt”: “2015 Grizzlies Calendar”}
Participants: Writer Amanda Leduc and record company manager Allegra Young
Goal: To raise funds to support PEN Canada and the popularization of Canadian literature
Calendar Price: $10
Amanda Leduc and Allegra Young invited renowned Canadian writers to pose for a calendar to draw attention to national literature and raise money for the PEN Canada organization. Despite the fact that Yann Martel, author of the bestseller Life of Pi, participated in the campaign, Bare It For Books passed without much success. Perhaps the writers in the photos didn’t show enough skin.
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/book_41.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bare It For Books Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/book_31.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bare It For Books Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/book_2.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bare It For Books Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/book_1.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bare It For Books Calendar”}
Participants: Students of James Cook University (Australia)
Goal: To raise funds for a Graduation Ball (90% of revenue) and to aid firefighters in Black River (10%)
Calendar Price: $19,95
Girls and boys decided to collect money for their Graduation Ball with a “naked calendar” charity project, because barbecue and bake sales seemed boring. A tenth of the proceeds are sent to the Black River and Districts Rural Fire Brigade in Australia.
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{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/vets_21.jpg”, “alt”: “Vets Uncovered”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/vets_3.jpg”, “alt”: “Vets Uncovered”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/vets_41.jpg”, “alt”: “Vets Uncovered”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/vets_6.jpg”, “alt”: “Vets Uncovered”},
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{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/vets_8.jpg”, “alt”: “Vets Uncovered”}
Participants: Eneshia Prescott, the wife of a British serviceman
Goal: To raise funds for the charity Help for Heroes
Calendar Price: £15
Wives and relatives of British soldiers pose for the Hotties calendar. Eneshia Prescott decided to organize the project after she saw the story of a wounded soldier on TV. Over the past few years, the women have raised around £8,000 for the charity Help for Heroes. The presentation of the calendar for 2015 was held in a London strip clubs.
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hotties_13.jpg”, “alt”: “Hotties Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hotties_31.jpg”, “alt”: “Hotties Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hotties_61.jpg”, “alt”: “Hotties Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hotties_71.jpg”, “alt”: “Hotties Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hotties_91.jpg”, “alt”: “Hotties Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hotties_101.jpg”, “alt”: “Hotties Calendar”},
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{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hotties_121.jpg”, “alt”: “Hotties Calendar”}
Participants: A community of young farmers in Bedfordshire (UK)
Goal: To raise funds for the MIND, a foundation that helps people with mental illnesses
Calendar Price: £10
The project has a sad origin story. In 2012, its originator Emily Steaggles lost a close friend who suffered from depression and committed suicide. The preparations for the photo shoot took about three months. By June of 2014, the young farmers managed to collect more than £15,000, which they sent to the MIND foundation to support people with mental health problems.
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/farmers_1.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bedfordshire Young Farmers Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/farmers_2.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bedfordshire Young Farmers Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/farmers_3.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bedfordshire Young Farmers Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/farmers_4.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bedfordshire Young Farmers Calendar”},
{“img”: “/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/farmers_5.jpg”, “alt”: “2014 Bedfordshire Young Farmers Calendar”}
Participants: Volunteers
Goal: To raise funds to support a human rights organization
Calendar Price: Unknown
Twitter users from Macedonia joined forces to create a calendar to promote sexual education. Ivan Batevo’s photos are accompanied by short captions: “Gender equality is not a threat to families” or “No always means no. Nudity is not a signal of consent.” Participants donate revenue from the sale of the calendar to the Hops organization, which promotes and protects human rights in Macedonia.
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