Last minute gift shopping? Check out these 12 brands that give back!
T’is the season for giving! Finding meaningful gift for everyone special in your life is no easy feat. Luckily, we’ve got a round up of 12 great brands that can make your last-minute gifting a little extra special. Not only will you love these brands and their products but each of these humbling companies have unique ways that they give back. Just by doing a little holiday shopping you can help work towards making a difference in the world. Check out these brands that #giveback to find the perfect gifts for the holiday season!
1. State Bags
For every purchase, State Bags supports American children and families in need. Their giving initiatives include donating fully packed backpacks at signature “Bag Drop” rallies and fueling #WhatDoWeTellTheKids activations and special projects with partner charities and schools.
The #WhatDoWeTellTheKids initiative was first launched in 2016 to bring attention to important social issues and help to spark and guide what are often seen as difficult conversations with kids. Topics have included, #BlackLivesMatter, damaging language directed at LGBTQ and disabled communities, the Flint water crisis and the national anthem protests. You can check out more of their initiatives – and their stylish bags on their website.
2. The Tote Project
The Tote Project was founded by two best friends with a passion for creating a brand that gives back. They started their journey to create a tote bag company that empowers survivors of human trafficking around the world. Now, they have spread awareness to hundreds of people through speaking engagements, social media, press and online resources. They have donated $40,680 and counting to empower survivors and those at risk of sex trafficking. On top of that, all of their products support and empower the people who make them – they work closely with their fair-trade partners to ensure that their supply chain is free of human trafficking and child labor.
3. MABLE
MABLE is a company creating beautiful products made from sustainable materials that prevent plastic waste from harming the environment. MABLE works with communities and educators to help spread awareness on the importance of making sustainable choices and will donate a toothbrush for very one purchased!
4. FAZL
Fazl’s backstory is the root of their love. Founders Mike and Vanessa met in North India while on a trip volunteering at orphanages. In 2015, they moved to from Canada to a tiny Himalayan single-road village so that they could serve orphanage children long term. Fazl all started when Vanessa held up a pair of handmade socks and had the idea of not only supporting the children, but also the women who make these beautiful products. From there, Fazl was started. Their mission is to give back to the orphanages and to provide Himachali women a safe place to express their creativity and earn fair wages. Now they employ over 500 different artisans and are growing every day. Every time you purchase something from Fazl, you provide food, shelter, education, and clothing to orphaned and impoverished children in India. They also dedicate 50% of their net profits to this cause. While they are excited for what is to come and adding new products and patterns, they know that the “main legacy of FAZL lies with the women who create these socks.”
5. Ivory Ella
Ivory Ella takes pride in their knowledge and love of elephants. Elephants are some of the most relatable creatures in the world, with a complex consciousness and capability for strong emotions. The ivory trade, coupled with accelerating habitat and range loss, has put the elephant population at risk. Ivory Ella is trying to change that. Working alongside their partners at Save the Elephants, they have donated over $2 million to Save the Elephants and other charitable organizations. They have 400+ elephants tracked across the wilds of Africa using GPS Collar Technology and have over 65 employees and 18 schools working to support their mission.
They also donate to and partner with other organizations such as Young Survival Coalition, Pollinator Partnership, Earth Day, Reef Restoration Foundation and more. And you can help too! They encourage their customers to shop responsibly with companies that promote sustainability, and use their voice on social media platforms to stay informed and spread the word on the importance of protecting vulnerable species and giving back. Ivory Ella donates 10% if all profits to these organizations, so every purchase you make from is already making a difference.
6. Cuddle and Kind
Cuddle and Kind was started by parents of three young children who were shocked to learn the true statistics of childhood hunger. 6 million primary school-aged children attend classes hungry every day. 45% of deaths in children under five are caused by poor nutrition –that’s 3.1 million children each year. Devastated by these numbers, Cuddle and Kind’s founders wanted to do something to make a change. For every doll purchased, 10 meals are provided to children in need around the world through their respected giving partners, including World Food Program USA School Meals Program, Children’s Hunger Fund, Orphanages in Haiti and Breakfast Club of Canada. By providing nutritious school meals, these organizations give students the energy to learn and play. Plus, providing nutritious meals is considered one of the most effective ways to empower children to break out of the cycle of poverty, providing additional incentives for attendance and for families to send their children to school.
More than just an adorable gift for the little ones in your life, these dolls provide the opportunity to help kids all around the world. So far, the dolls that customers have purchased have helped Cuddle & Kind donate meals to kids in 66 countries.
7. Hand in Hand
When Hand in Hand started their business in 2011, millions of children were dying each year from water-related illnesses that could be prevented with washing hands alone. Hand in Hand decided to create a soap and program to help save lives with their Buy One, Give Back program. They have since donated 13.8 million bars of soap, 120k gallons of water and have served 23 countries to date. They have partnered with Eco Soap Bank and My Neighbors Children to help install and repair clean water wells and to recycle and distribute leftover hand soap. In addition to their Buy One, Give Back initiative, a portion of every purchase directly supports their global mission to provide communities access to soap, clean water and hygiene education.
Sustainability is also important to Hand in Hand. They are one of the first brands to use infinitely recyclable aluminum in their packaging and are currently developing a bottle pump that is recyclable as well. All of their products are 100% vegan and never derived from or tested on animals. They also refuse to use palm oil in order to protect rainforest ecosystems and endangered species from deforestation and destruction.
8. Handbands of Hope
Handbands for Hope gives back by putting smiles on faces. For every item sold, a headband is donated to a child with an illness. They also want to be a part of the solution, so each year during their Headband Together Week, they donate 10% of their sales to a charitable organization working to cure childhood illnesses. They also have a program called “Headband Hero” where each quarter they choose a child battling illness to be their Headband Hero. For 24-48 hours, 20% of their online sales will go to the child’s family for use towards their medical bills. A donation of headbands will be sent to their hospital of treatment as well. Headbands for Hope also hosts and annual Give Gala. Unlike other Galas, which are focused on raising money through high prices tickets and silent auctions, attendees of the Give Gala come offering a service, gift or talent to children with cancer and other life-threatening conditions. Some examples include photography lessons, use of beach house property, tickets to sporting events, personal styling and more.
9. Conscious Step
Need a comfy sweatshirt that helps save dogs or a pair of socks that plant trees? Look no further, Conscious Step has what you need! Every purchase from Conscious Step supports one of their 17 partner organizations and the communities they serve. These include Habitat for Humanity, Action Against Hunger, Malaria No More, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Oceana, Best Friends – Save them all, The Trevor Project and many more. To date, they have donated $506,719. They also pride themselves in their effort to keep their manufacturing sustainable and transparent. Their socks are made from clean, organic cotton by empowered producers in safe and fair working conditions. They are certified in Global Organic Textile Standard, Fairtrade Cotton, Certified Vegan and 1% for the Planet!
10. FIGS
Need a gift for the healthcare hero in your life? FIGS is a healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand that celebrates, empowers, and serves current and future generations of healthcare professionals. Threads for Threads put an initiative in place where for every set of scrubs sold, they donate a set to healthcare professionals who work in resource-poor countries and lack the proper uniform to do their jobs safely. They have also partnered with amazing organizations and humans who have helped them deliver their scrubs and donate their time, expertise, and care. They have partnered with 60 organizations and donated to 35 countries while making a ton of memories along the way.
11. Rescue Dog Wines
Rescue Dog Wines’ goal is to not only produce world-class award-winning wines from locally sourced, certified green sustainable grapes but to also bring awareness to, celebrate and provide financial support to the rescue dog movement. 50% of their profits go to support rescue dogs and charity organizations as well as local SPCAs (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). They also volunteer their time, and personally foster dogs as well!
12. Love your Melon
Love your Melon was founded by two friends who wanted to start a business with meaningful and positive social impact. With a goal to improve the lives of children battling cancer, it began with a simple idea of putting a hat on every child battling cancer in America.
Their goal was to give back 45,000 hats, one for every child battling cancer in America. To date, they have given over 8.3 million dollars to fight against pediatric cancer and over 200,000 hats to children battling cancer. 50% of net profits from the sale of all products are given to organizations around the world that lead the fight against pediatric cancer. They also give back by providing relief for children through creating unforgettable adventures. They have the opportunity to take children battling cancer on unique therapeutic adventures tailored specifically to their interests.
They also have a “request a hat” program, giving friends and families the opportunity to surprise a child battling cancer with a Love your Melon Hat in hopes to provide smiles and support during difficult times. Not only that, but with their “send a smile” initiative, you can make a child’s day by sending them words of encouragement and well wishes in a Superhero Card that will be personally delivered to them.
