Tis the season to be jolly and what better way to do so than by helping someone? We all know the biggies — Tom’s Warby Parker, FEED — phenomenal companies doing phenomenal things in the sector of conscious capitalism. I love this concept of “one-for-one” where businesses harness the power of consumers for good.
It’s a great gimmick. I fall for it every time and do what I can to support them. I am the owner of a pair of Tom’s leopard boots (my fave – do yourself a favor and get a pair – so comfy and they go with so much!), Warby Parker eyeglass frames (my husband) and a FEED bag for the beach. To think that I can do a teeny, tiny “something” to help others nationally or globally is a good feeling. Besides, who doesn’t want to look great and do good?
But far beyond that, it is a brilliant business model. And thankfully, every day we see more and more businesses jumping on the bandwagon to help others. As a result, there are many emerging names and products in the world of good giving. They may not all be participating in the one-for-one model but they are giving a portion of proceeds to the causes near and dear to their hearts – adoption, pediatric cancer research, rural poverty, medical care and so on.
The neat thing about this unique gift list is that all of these businesses are based in the South. Inspiring others far beyond any geographical lines, these entrepreneurs with charitable hearts are creating a culture of giving where it matters. So, here we present, ten options to “purchase with purpose” and give Christmas gifts with longevity, long past the season. From stationery to bikes, blankets to clothing, or jewelry to purses, there should be something for everyone on your list!
Noonday Collection — North Carolina — What started out as a fundraising project to help founder Jessica Honegger adopt her third child from Rwanda turned into an inspiring, creative small business with a very large reach. Noonday works with hostesses and ambassadors who help bring the work of jewelry designers and artisans to the large U.S. consumer market through online orders, parties, in-home sales and social gatherings.
GAIA For Women — Texas — GAIA creations are handmade by resettled refugee women in Dallas, TX, using vintage, repurposed, and sustainable materials. Their mission is to empower marginalized women through employment, encouragement, and dedication to their long-term success in their local communities.
Hero Bike – Alabama — HERO utilizes locally grown bamboo to develop hand-crafted bikes and provide a contemporary approach to sustainable, socially conscious small business and provide green technologies job training for HEROyouth. HERObike employs Greensboro residents as a catalyst to foster community development in the Alabama Black Belt to end rural poverty.
FashionABLE –Tennessee — While living in Ethiopia, the founders (a married couple) saw firsthand how extreme poverty forced so many young girls and women to make awful choices for money. When speaking to these women, they expressed they only wanted an opportunity to earn a living, not to be given charity, so he created a business that would give them a job. By providing jobs, the fashionABLE approach has changed how people think about solving extreme poverty.
Writefully His – South Carolina — With stationery sold in the states, founder Grace Wallace donates proceeds that will provide paper and pencils to children in impoverished areas. By providing these materials, the children will be given the opportunity to learn, record and be creative. A luxury we all have often taken for granted. Her vision is simple and the task is ordinary; stationery sold in the states for the writing essentials for the children abroad.
Akola Project — Georgia and Texas — The mission of Akola is to empower marginalized women to transform the physical and spiritual livelihoods of their families and communities through economic development. This non-profit and social business facilitates vocational training, employment opportunites, savings and loan associations and educational and ministry programs and leadership development.
Joy In India — Arkansas — At the heart of the JOYN mission lies a desire to see lives changed. To see those crippled by poverty and hardship dance for joy. To do this, JOYN partnered with a nonprofit called JoyCorps to provide employees with not only steady jobs and a good work environment, but a daily meal plan, education for their children, English and vocational training, and medical care. Lives are changing as a result.Today, JOYN employs a diverse and growing team of Americans, Australians, Brits, Indians, Tibetans, and Nepalese working together in Rajpur. Theirs is a community of people who strive to take care of one another.
Dot Products – Mississippi — Dot is not just a school supply company; they are a force to be reckoned with. We have a vision for eliminating poverty by creating an educated and prepared workforce in developing countries, but recognizes they cannot do this alone. Over the next ten years, founder Hallie Darphin plans to partner with other organizations to provide education, training, and jobs to change the face of poverty as we know it today. With every product sold, Dot Products is paying for a child to attend school for half a day, including uniforms, supplies, and school fees. They will send you a picture of the student who benefited from your purchase, and each time you see Dot Products on your desk, customers will be reminded that they are a part of sustainable poverty alleviation around the world.
107 Market Street — Georgia — At 107 Market Street, the founders seek to unite the need for style with an artisan’s need for sustainable business and are passionate about celebrating the artisans’ gifts and talents and extending the reach of their handcrafted goods.
In developing countries, they are working to build dignity and responsibility by paying fair wages for Artisans to practice their God given talents. Through these efforts, they support family preservation and the elimination of economic orphans by giving families in these countries sustainable business. In an effort to further their influence, 107 Market Street partners with organizations who share this passion. Stateside, we offer a platform to Artisans to exhibit their gifts in a bigger way as well. Giving them sustainable business is just as important as in developing countries
Ex Voto Vintage – Alabama — Having a most personal connection to pediatric cancer, owner and designer Elizabeth Adams donates a portion of the sales of ExVoto Vintage to The Cure Starts Now Foundation for pediatric brain cancer research. The concept behind her gorgeous and collectable pieces combine art, vintage patina, mysterious history, and gratitude to the Redeemer who has the power to make beauty from ashes.
Whitney Wise Long is co-founder of The Southern C. She is looking to this list to finish up her shopping in a timely (and charitable) manner.