Hosting a WindowDressers Build
Project Description
A WindowDressers Community Build is a community-powered event where volunteers come together to assemble insulating window inserts for their community. These inserts are a low-cost, reusable option to improve home energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and costs associated with home heating. Community groups or individuals can partner with WindowDressers to bring a Community Build to their area.
WindowDressers is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that supports residents across Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont) in reducing home heat loss. Through hands-on Community Builds, local volunteers work together to craft window inserts. In return for helping at the build, community members who sign up to receive inserts get them at a significantly reduced price.
WindowDressers has a robust volunteer network and may already have volunteers and builds active in your area. See a list of planned WindowDressers Builds here. If a build is already planned for your area, your group can work with local WindowDressers volunteers to help promote the build and recruit volunteers and window insert orders. If a build is not planned for your area, consider reaching out to WindowDressers to request one.
Why This Project Matters
Reduces emissions:
By improving insulation, window inserts reduce the amount of oil, propane, or electric heat needed to stay warm during the winter. This directly lowers greenhouse gas emissions at the household level, especially important in a state like Maine where many homes rely on fossil fuel heating. When scaled across dozens or hundreds of homes in a community, the cumulative impact can be meaningful for local climate goals.
Reduces heating cost:
Inserts create a tight seal over leaky windows, preventing cold drafts and retaining indoor heat. Many households report noticeable improvements in comfort and a significant drop in their heating bills, sometimes resulting in hundreds of dollars saved per winter.
Builds community while addressing climate change:
Participants gather for a few days to build inserts together, often sharing food and stories, which fosters trust and a collective sense of purpose. Some local teams find that this collaboration builds lasting relationships and increases a sense of community wide care. Organizers have noted that people who met at a build have gone on to work together on other climate or community efforts.
Address Inclusivity:
Window inserts are available to everyone regardless of ability to pay. The WindowDressers Special Rate program provides low income households and households with high energy burden (in which a high percentage of the household’s monthly income is spent on heating) with about 10 inserts for whatever they can afford to pay. In order to support the cost of Special Rate inserts, many teams actively fundraise or seek subsidies from within their local communities. Some prioritize working with food pantries, senior centers, or housing authorities to ensure outreach reaches those most in need. By starting with those who benefit the most, the project builds trust in communities that may not have engaged with climate work before.
Easy entry point for new volunteers:
Volunteers don’t need special skills to participate, each task (measuring, wrapping, assembling, quality checking) is simple and taught on-site. People can join for just one shift or stay the whole day, making participation flexible to accommodate all kinds of schedules. The work feels meaningful and tangible, and volunteers leave feeling proud of what they helped create.
Reaches a broad range of residents:
Because the project addresses a practical and widely shared need (keeping homes warm), it cuts across political, social, and economic divides. Even residents who don’t identify as environmentalists often support the project because it’s common-sense, cost-saving, and community-driven.
Key considerations:
Community readiness
Some awareness of and interest in addressing high heating costs or energy efficiency is important.
Having some established partnerships with trusted local orgs (e.g., food pantries, churches) is helpful to raise awareness about the program. Some of these community partners support with donations or send volunteers.
A group of 3–5 committed core organizers to serve in the leadership team is needed.
Resources
*This vulnerability assesment plug and play was developed with the support of Jessica Williams and Sofia Reali from WindowDressers.
Cost
Insert prices vary depending on window size, typically ranging from $37 to $90 per insert at full price. However, many teams raise funds or secure subsidies to offer inserts on a “pay what you can afford” (even if that amount is zero)basis to low-income households.
WindowDressers provides tools and kits, but local teams often raise additional donations for food, space, printing or to cover inserts for low-income households. Some of these expenses can also be offset by partnering with local banks, restaurants, or shops willing to contribute.
Time Requirement
Planning typically begins 3–5 months before the Community Build to allow time for outreach, coordination, and advance window measuring.
The full process can take up to 9 months from start to finish. Most builds take place between September and December, though some may start earlier or finish later depending on when you first connect with WindowDressers.
The Community Build itself takes 3–7 days, depending on how many inserts are being made.
People Power
3–5 core organizers form the Leadership team to lead outreach, logistics, and volunteer coordination.
Each day of the build typically has 2 four-hour shifts. Each shift will need between 10-12 volunteers. The number of days of the build depends on the number of inserts being made. WindowDressers recommends that for every 3-5 inserts people receive, they volunteer at the build for 1 four-hour shift. In addition to customer volunteers, additional volunteers from the community may be needed. Some people volunteer for just one shift, while others help out throughout the entire week.
Trained measurers needed beforehand. WindowDressers provides training.
How to:
*This is an overview of the steps you will cover with the support of Window Dressers
Build Your Leadership Team:
Recruit 3–4 people who can commit to organizing over a few months. These volunteers will help run, organize, find the location and recruit the volunteers for the build. Ideally, team members have local ties or are part of groups trusted by the community.
WindowDressers provides training for every part of the process, so anyone can step into a leadership role—no prior experience required. Volunteers come from all kinds of backgrounds, and a wide range of skills are valuable, including organizing, fundraising, communications, and volunteer coordination.
Check the Manual for Prospective Volunteers
Connect with WindowDressers early to:
Express your interest and ask about training sessions and build timelines.
Learn about available supplies, tools, and resources provided.
Discuss timeline for organizing, measuring and scheduling the Build.
Ask if there are other local groups you can connect with for support or mentorship.
You can contact them at info@windowdressers.org or (207) 596-3073.
Set your Goals
WindowDressers recommends that a new build team set a goal to build 200 inserts over a 5-7 day period.
WindowDressers recommends that each build aims to have about 25-35% of their inserts going to low income households.
What is your fundraising target to cover materials and supplies not provided by WindowDressers and to support the Special Rate program?
Identify any community goals (like reducing energy bills or winter health issues).
Outreach
Partner with trusted local networks—such as schools, food pantries, churches, senior centers, and local businesses—to raise awareness about the build and recruit volunteers.
Share flyers, social media posts, and announcements in community newsletters or local newspapers.
To reach low-income households, focus outreach efforts in places like food pantries or housing or general assistance programs.
WindowDressers can provide outreach materials that you can customize to fit your community.
Tailor your outreach strategy to reflect what matters most to your community. E.g. energy efficiency or weatherization, lowering heating costs, staying warm in the winter, etc.
Begin outreach as early as possible to build momentum and ensure strong participation.
Measuring
Volunteers are trained to measure windows accurately using WindowDressers’ system.
Collect window measurements and input them promptly to place orders on time.
Keep clear records to track which households will receive inserts.
Plan your Build week
Find a work-friendly location with room for multiple stations (church halls, community centers, and schools all make excellent sites).
Schedule a 5–7 day build with:
A set-up day (organize materials and stations)
5–7 build days with volunteer shifts (number of days vary)
A clean-up day
Use and customize the volunteer sign-up system provided by WindowDressers to include shifts for:
Building stations, set-up and clean-up, meals, and snacks
Plan for breaks and social time to keep energy up.
Host your Community Build
During build days, provide training and assign volunteers to insert assembly stations.: frame assembly, wrapping frames with plastic, adding foam insulation and quality control.
Provide meals or snacks. Food encourages volunteers to stay and builds connection.
Create a welcoming atmosphere with music and community sharing.
Take photos and share updates to celebrate progress and keep momentum going.
Deliver Inserts and Reflect
In addition to volunteering at the Community Build, insert recipients are responsible for picking up their finished inserts. Team members can offer delivery and installation to those who are unable to do this on their own.
Plan time to follow up with recipients to ensure that inserts fit properly. WindowDressers will provide all insert recipients wtih a customer feedback survey to gather feedback on their experience.
Celebrate the community impact. Share stories and testimonials to highlight the project’s value with your community.
Hold a reflection session with your core team to discuss:
What worked well?
What challenges did you face?
What would you change or improve for next time?
Document lessons learned to help future builds run even more smoothly. WindowDressers will provide a Post Community Build survey for teams to complete.
Final Tips
Lean on the WindowDressers nonprofit as a valuable resource, they’re supportive and ready to help.
The process might feel overwhelming at times, but you’re not alone. You have a network of support.
Tap into your local community and existing networks, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by the help and enthusiasm you find.
If your volunteer team isn’t large, don’t worry. WindowDressers can connect you with experienced mentors who have led builds before. These mentors can answer questions about the build process, organizing, and running the event, offering practical advice from firsthand experience.