Our Story
Every person deserves the products they need to manage their period with dignity.
Collect the Cotton began with a simple observation: period products were consistently among the most requested, and least donated, essential items.
What started as one annual collection has grown into a community-driven nonprofit working to expand access to period products, advance menstrual health education, and advocate for menstrual equity.
Today, Collect the Cotton partners with public schools and community organizations to ensure more people can manage their periods with dignity.
How It Started
In 2016, while volunteering at the North Boulder Homeless Shelter, founder Ashlie Nalls noticed a consistent need for period products. Pads and tampons were requested regularly but rarely donated.
Instead of accepting that gap, she organized a small collection among family and friends. That small grassroots effort became Collect the Cotton.
What Drives Our Work
Collect the Cotton exists because access to period products should never determine someone's opportunity.
We believe access to menstrual products influences far more than a single day. It affects education, health, confidence, dignity, and opportunity. When someone doesn't have the products they need, the impact can extend into every part of daily life.
That's why our work goes beyond product distribution. We invest in education that replaces stigma with understanding, build partnerships that strengthen communities, and advocate for a future where periods are never a barrier to opportunity.
Everything we do is guided by one belief: everyone deserves the products they need to manage their periods with dignity.
Our Principles
We believe...
Dignity begins with access.
Education replaces stigma.
Communities create lasting change.
Everyone deserves the products they need.
Community Recognition
News Center Maine featured Collect the Cotton's grassroots efforts to address period poverty and expand access to essential period products.
News Center Maine
Collect the Cotton was recognized by Always as Maine's 50 Period Heroes representative for its grassroots efforts to expand access to period products and raise awareness of menstrual equity.
Always 50 Period Heroes
Following her recognition as one of Maine’s 20 Outstanding Women, founder Ashlie Nalls joined Coast 93.1's The Blake Show to share the story behind Collect the Cotton and how listeners could support its mission.
20 Outstanding Women
Periods are a normal part of life. Access to period products should be, too.