SEATTLE, Washington — Everyone loves to shop and these companies offer a way to spend money while giving back to others. Each company sells useful everyday products, with proceeds going toward those in need. Here are 21 places to shop for a cause:
1. This Bar Saves Lives
“You’re hungry. You buy our delicious bar. For every bar you buy, our nonprofit partner makes a life-saving packet of food. We send that food to where it’s needed most.”
Source: This Bar Saves Lives
2. TOMS
“With every product you purchase, TOMS will help a person in need. One for One.®” TOMS also manufactures their shoes in Haiti to provide jobs.
Source: TOMS
3. Josie Maran Cosmetics
For those times when you and your hair just don’t agree. “Our Argan Oil is sustainably harvested and pressed by women’s co-ops in Morocco. These co-ops offer economic and social empowerment to their members, who work to protect argan forests.”
Source: Josie Maran Cosmetics
4. Made Collection Blankets
This eco friendly baby blanket is the perfect gift for the new addition in your life. “Our workshop in Kenya was founded in 2005 with a view to harnessing the talent and skills of artisans in Kenya, whilst providing a safe working environment, long-term job security and training.”
Source: Made Collection
5. Warby Parker Glasses
“Approximately 1 billion people don’t have access to affordable glasses. Glasses can increase one’s income by 20 percent, enable students to see a blackboard and offer dignity to those with poor eyesight. Warby Parker works with experienced nonprofit partners to ensure that each sale of our frames will give someone in need access to affordable glasses.”
Source: Warby Parker
6. Nisolo Shoes
“Our goal is to empower impoverished entrepreneurs by supporting job creation and access to quality education in the developing world. Our products are made by incredibly talented artisans who simply lack the capital and access necessary to seek markets outside of their traditional communities.”
Source: Nisolo Shoes
7. Apolis Luggage
“Our model of “Advocacy Through Industry” is a revolutionary way to harness the power of business to create social change. This model is founded on the simple idea that people can live better lives when they are given equal access to the global marketplace.”
Source: Apolis
8. Krochet Kids Scarves
“We work with highly vulnerable women who live in poverty stricken regions of the world. Our program empowers women with the resources to rise above poverty. Forever. Empowered women transform their families, communities and the developing world.”
Source: Krochet Kids
9. Obakki Water Bottle
“500 bkr bottles builds a well in South Sudan. Water changes everything.”
Source: Obakki
10. Mophie Phone Case
For those times when your phone needs to charge on the go, 5 percent of profits from (MOPHIE)RED products goes to the Global Fund to help achieve an AIDS free generation by 2015.
Source: Mophie
11. Threads for Thought Clothing
“The IRC’s New Roots program helps refugees become self-sufficient and contributes to their new home through community gardening, nutrition education and small-business farming.”
Source: Threads for Thought
12. Soma Water Filter
Every filter you buy from Soma includes a donation to charity water to help support their essential work around the globe.
Source: Soma
13. One Hope Wine
Rob Mondavi Jr. has created a delicious wine called One Hope that gives HALF of its profits to several worthy causes.
Source: One Hope Wine
14. Jacaranda Tree Copabu Wooden Bowl
“Finished with weaving done by the women of Abaharaniramajyambere Cooperative in Butare, Rwanda. This company works with local artisans to bring you beautiful products, each arriving with a tag signed by the woman who made it.”
Source: Indego Africa
15. The Base Project Bracelets
The Base Project partners with artisans in developing nations to produce products, create a positive environment and sell the products in American fashion market. A portion of the proceeds also goes back into the community.
Source: The Base Project
16. Yellow Leaf Hammocks
This could be you, but you don’t have a hammock. “Every Yellow Leaf Hammock is 100 percent hand-woven by hill-tribe artisans in rural northern Thailand. The opportunity to weave hammocks and earn a good wage is transformative for our weavers and their families.”
Source: Yellow Leaf Hammocks
17. Sseko Designs Sandals
Sseko uses fashion to provide employment and scholarship opportunities to impoverished women pursuing their dreams.
Source: Sseko Designs
18. Oliberté Shoes
“We are a sustainable lifestyle brand supporting workers’ rights in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Source: Oliberté
19. Raven and Lily Fashion
Raven and Lily employs women in Ethiopia, India, Cambodia, Kenya and the United States. The company provides its employees with access to a safe job, sustainable income, health care and education.
Source: Raven and Lily
20. Red Earth Trading Co.
Red Earth Trading Co. works to help small business owners in developing countries to better organize, manage their businesses and optimize growth. Small companies are a vital part of lifting families out of poverty. Red Earth Trading Co. pays its artisans a fair price up front for their work, and also provides them interest free loans that can be paid back over time through purchase orders.
Source: Read Earth Trading Co.
21. Tegu Toys
“We work with local Honduran cooperatives who individually hand picks each mature tree for use. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies these cooperatives, and their process facilitates the forest’s natural regeneration cycle. Additionally, we have partnered with local communities to support reforestation, donating a portion of revenue to replanting efforts when Tegu blocks are sold.”
Source: Tegu Toys