Application Process

Please send an electronic version of these materials to the FTF Screening Coordinator. If you are not able to submit these documents electronically, please mail one complete copy of the materials to the Fair Trade Federation.

Submit

1. Application

Complete the application that best relates to the primary nature of your work, even if your organization fits into more than one category. Applications should not be submitted by organizations with no prior sales history.

Wholesaler - Handmade

Wholesaler - Agricultural Products

Retailer

Retailers working directly with Producers

Note: The Federation works with organizations based in Canada and the US. Please visit our Supporting Producers page for information on our counterpart organizations who focus on those based in other regions of the world.  

Nota: No estamos aceptando aplicaciones de parte de productores. Rogamos nos disculpe por la inconveniencia. Por favor visite nuestra pagina de "Soporte al Productor" para mas recursos de su interes.

Note : La F�d�ration ne travaille qu'avec des organisations bas�es au Canada ou aux �tats-Unis. Veuillez consulter la page Aider les Producteurs pour toute information sur nos organisations partenaires dans d'autres r�gions du monde."

2. Financial Statement

Send a financial statement for the most recently completed accounting period. A profit/loss statement (preferred), tax return, or sales tax report is acceptable.

3. Suppliers List

Include a list of all of your suppliers. If working directly with producers, please list where possible, the approximate number artisans/farmers/workers that make up any groups with which you work.  Include contact names, email addresses, and fax or phone numbers.  This information will be kept confidential and will not be entered into the FTF database.

4. References

Submit at least three points (not letters) of reference, including email addresses, from those who can speak in depth about your trading practices. Applicants are best served by recommendations from current members of the Federation or other fair trade organizations, artisans, NGO partners, or contacts who are well versed in the principles of fair trade. Referencing at least one of your suppliers is preferred.

Please ensure that your references know to expect an inquiry from the Fair Trade Federation.  

5. $50 Screening Fee

Mail a check made payable to the Fair Trade Federation or contact the Screening Coordinator to pay with a credit card via PayPal (transaction fees apply).  This fee is non-refundable.

 6. Other Materials (optional)

Feel free to include any promotional materials, articles written about your business, hangtags, product labels, your most recent annual report, or product samples that you feel would supplement your application. Items will not be returned.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email when materials are received.

If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact FTF at 202-636-3547. 

Fees

In addition to the non-refundable $50 screening fee, if admitted, applicants will be assessed the appropriate level of dues.

Dues for retailers, wholesaler-handmade, and wholesaler-commodities are based on sales during the most recently completed accounting period, as indicated by the following scale:

Members of the Cafe Network are assessed a flat fee of $250 / year.

Terms of Application

By submitting application materials, applicant presents its business practices for review by the Federation's screening committee and submits to the committee's decision regarding admittance into the Federation membership. At the same time, the applicant maintains its right to an appeal of the decision through established Federation channels.