Gifts That Give Back

In this season of giving, there’s a way to make your gifts accomplish more. As you choose gifts to brighten the lives of the people you care about, by choosing gifts from organizations that use the proceeds from their sales to give back to charity, your gift can do double duty. There are a lot of organizations that incorporate social responsibility and charity into their organizational values. For this gift guide, I focused on gifts that were gifts people really want to receive regardless of the cause or mission behind them, affordable, and from companies whose primary mission is to give back. These are my favorite gifts that give back.

Gifts That Give Back

LUSH donates 100% of the purchase price (minus tax) of each Charity Pot to charity. Since its launch in 2007, they have donated more than $10 million to humanitarian, environmental, and animal rights causes around the world.

Project 7 gum makes a great stocking stuffer, not only because of the fun flavors like birthday cake and sour caramel apple, but also because the company’s primary mission is to give back to seven areas of need (save the earth, house the homeless, feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, heal the sick, teach them well, and hope for peace).

Dsenyo makes fair trade gifts in order to create sustainable jobs for women and artisans in communities where opportunities are scarce. In addition to paying workers generous wages, they provide business and technical training to empower employees rather than to create a dependency on the company.

Shopping for a Change employs artisans in struggling communities and use the 50% of proceeds from sales to fund community improvement projects (e.g. clean water, health care, and education). The artisans create a variety of products from jewelry and accessories to clothing and kitchenware.

Likewise, UNICEF Market sells unique, handmade products. A portion of the proceeds then go towards UNICEF’s efforts to save children’s lives. They work to improve access to clean water and safe sanitation, nutritious food, immunizations, and safety and security for children in undeveloped and developing nations.

FEED sells products that engage consumers in the fight against hunger. Every product has a number stamped on it that shows the number of meals that are being donated as a result of that purchase. FEED sells bags, accessories, and t-shirts, but since I love to promote random acts of kindness, I’m partial to this bag.

Did you know that TOMS is more than a popular brand among teens? The company lives a philosophy of one for one. For each pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need.

And while we’re talking about footwear, let’s not forget socks! Similar to TOMS, Sock Panda donates a pair of socks to someone in need for every pair that is purchased. But that’s not the only reason to buy their socks. The socks come in some of the cutest designs you’ve ever seen!

Laughing Man Coffee was founded by Hugh Jackman after a trip to Ethiopia during which he was inspired by a coffee farmer who was working hard to rise above poverty. 100% of the profits from Laughing Man Coffee goes to support educational programs, community development and social entrepreneurship around the world.

LSTN sells high-quality headphones and uses a portion of the proceeds to help fund hearing restoration and to spread awareness of the problems of hearing loss and hearing impairment.

GIVESCENT was founded by Elena Brower and Alexandra Lyon Perelman to create beautiful aromas AND to empower women worldwide. For every bottle of GIVESCENT orange that is sold, $2 is donated to Every Mother Counts (a campaign to end preventable deaths caused by pregnancy and childbirth). In addition, 5% of proceeds from GIVESCENT signature and GIVESCENT green are donated to Women for Women International which supports female survivors of war.

Sevenly was founded with the goal of inspiring generosity. The company creates 7-day cause campaigns. When you purchase a product, they donate $7 from that sale to their charity of the week.

Noodle & Boo not only provide quality, natural skincare products for baby and mom, they are also committed to helping children in need. They donate a big chunk of their profits to children’s charities like St. Jude’s, Save the Children, Keep a Child Alive, and Compassion.

One of my very favorite companies to shop with is PS I Adore You. Founded by moms who love great products, great deals, and great causes, every purchase achieves all three. You can find a wide variety of amazing products (from linens and decor to clothing and toys) at prices you won’t believe, and a portion of all sales goes to a child battling cancer. They choose a new “Cancer Cutie” every month.