Mustaches for Kids Kicks Off November Fundraiser
The all-volunteer campaign, which has raised more than $1 million since 2003, begins with a Shave Day kickoff in Wilmington.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Mustaches for Kids will hold its Shave Day kickoff at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Wilmington Brewing Company to launch its annual November fundraising campaign. Participants grow mustaches for the month to support regional children's nonprofits.
Why it matters
The campaign has raised more than $1 million for local children's organizations since it began in 2003, and it returns to fundraising through community donations. Wilmington Brewing Company is also releasing a specialty beer, Mustache Million, with proceeds benefiting the effort.
The effort has raised more than $1 million since its 2003 start, and more than 50 participants are expected at the Shave Day kickoff. The total raised this year will not be known until the campaign concludes at the end of November.
The players
Mustaches for Kids
An all-volunteer fundraising effort founded in 2003 that supports regional children's nonprofits in the Wilmington area through its annual mustache-growing campaign.
Wilmington Brewing Company
A Wilmington, North Carolina brewery hosting the Shave Day kickoff and producing the Mustache Million specialty beer to benefit the campaign.
The details
Participants commit to growing only mustaches during November, with beards, goatees, and chops barred under group rules. They collect donations from family, friends, colleagues, and community members, and meet weekly to track fundraising totals and mustache progress before a costume-filled celebration reveals the final total.
Timeline
2003: Mustaches for Kids effort begins.
November: Annual campaign runs, with participants growing mustaches.
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5: Shave Day kickoff at Wilmington Brewing Company.
End of November: Costume-filled celebration reveals the final fundraising total.
Philanthropy Landscape
Mustaches for Kids follows the November mustache-growing fundraising format popularized by the Movember men's health campaign, but directs its proceeds to children's nonprofits in the Wilmington region. The campaign's 2003 start and more than $1 million raised place it among long-running local charity drives that rely on volunteer participation.
Wilmington residents who want to support children's nonprofits can donate to participants or attend the Shave Day kickoff. Beer buyers can also purchase the Mustache Million brew, with proceeds going to the campaign.
The takeaway
Local fundraising campaigns can make a measurable difference when community members join in as volunteers and donors, as the more than $1 million raised since 2003 shows. Residents who want to get involved can join the Shave Day kickoff or support a participant.
What happens next
The Shave Day kickoff takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Wilmington Brewing Company, and the final fundraising total will be revealed at the end-of-November celebration.
Further reading
Explore more philanthropy coverage in Wilmington and across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wect.
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