Not every gift needs to be on the hottest buy of the season list or bought from a big box store because there was an incredible deal. Consider the charitable organizations that create products of love and generosity to help benefit others.
Here are just a few great gift ideas that help others with each purchase.
Adventurist Backpack
Retail $65
Give 25 meals to those in need across the country, when you buy an Adventurist backpack. Founded by a traveling husband and wife, the Adventurist Backpack Co. has provided more than 30,000 since its launch. The modern design is well made and perfect for any adventure loving soul.
Crocheted Animals by Pebble
Retail $19.00
Fair Trade Winds sells products made by people all over the world as a means to help support themselves and their families. Through the organization, women in rural Bangladesh have been taught to crochet and create items to sell. This adorable puppy dog is one of the those creations that is changing the lives of women that crochet them. Your purchase allows them to end the cycle of poverty.
St. Jude Gift Shop
Retail $55.00
Donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is one of the best examples of giving at Christmas time. St. Jude is dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer and life threatening disease. They do not charge patients or families for any of the treatments or associated costs. That is made possible through the many donations that support the hospital. When you donate or buy from the St. Jude Gift Shop, you are helping children in need and their families. Visit the gift shop for great gift finds like this Cable Knit Chenille and Sherpa Throw Blanket
ACLU Book Bag
Retail $10
Help support citizens’ rights through the American Civil Liberties Union with a simple bag purchase. This well made bag features some of the greatest classic book titles, and it is handy for hauling books or groceries.
Chocolate Dream
Retail $25.00
These incredibly delectable brownies are made at Greyston Bakery. This bakery is a Certified B Corporation which means it must legally consider how its business proceedings affect customers, workers, suppliers, the community, and the environment. They have an open hire model which allows those who might have faced barriers to employment because of criminal convictions or discrimination. It gives people a chance to provide for themselves and their families when they might have struggled otherwise. The bakery also partners with a company to turn food manufacturing waste into animal feed. Its location is was also chosen to allow employees to walk or take mass transit to work. Buying goodies from Greyston Bakery is so much more than just a brownie purchase.
Brett Lauren Jewelry
Retail $88.00
Each one of the beautiful pieces of work from designer Brett Lauren is actually assembled by women in local residential homeless shelters. It provides them with paid work and Lauren actually mentors the women.
LifeStraw Products
Retail – Varies
Originally developed and used in a strictly humanitarian capacity, the company now offers a large variety of products that filter water and make it safe to drink – each fit for a purpose. From the original, compact LifeStraw (perfect for camping and outdoor adventures), to the newest personal use LifeStraw Flex (it’s a squeeze bottle!), to the kid-friendly LifeStraw Play – there is a filter for everyone.
For the holiday season, LifeStraw is doubling it’s efforts and providing TWO children with safe water for a year when you make a purchase directly on the LifeStraw website!
NPR
Retail $26.00
Support National Public Radio programming with a purchase from the gift shop. A purchase from NPR helps support the programming that provides non-partisan news daily.
UNICEF Kid Power Band
Retail $25.00
Kids can earn points by being active with this UNICEF Kid Power Band. For every activity point they earn, it helps send therapeutic food packets to severely malnourished children around the world.
Natural Wood Kitchen Gift Tray
Retail $50.00
Serrv is a fair trade company that has been in business since 1949. They work with artisans around the world to help sell their goods and give them a chance to rise out of poverty. The website has a huge variety of goods from coffee to fashion. This gift tray is one of the many handmade items you will find on the site. Each purchase is helping an artisan from around the world support their family.
Grounds and Hounds Coffee
Retail $13.99 – varies
Grounds and Hounds makes fair trade and organic specialty coffee that supports rescue initiatives for animals. For each purchase, 20% goes to rescue organizations that work to make second chances a reality for animals.
Alex and Ani Baby Block
Retail $28.00
When you buy this baby block charm, 20% of the purchase price goes to the March of Dimes. That money is used toward research of birth defects and premature delivery and also helps mothers have safe full term pregnancies.
Hope and Henry Clothing
Retail $26.95
This small startup was created with a business model that would allow profits to be shared with the factory workers that sew the clothes while creating clothes from all organic cotton. This company is highly conscious of the environment and the labor force. It was started after the owners saw the documentary called The True Cost which exposed the many harmful effects of the fast producing fashion industry. There are beautifully crafted outfits like this Ponte Skater Dress. They come in sizes for babies, girls, boys, and some options for men as well. A purchase from Hope and Henry supports labor forces and our environment.
National Parks Coloring Book
Retail $14.99
Teach kids about the beauty of the National Parks with this great coloring book. Its purchase also goes to help the Sierra Club which is constantly working to save the planet.
To Write Love On Her Arms
Retail $40.00
A purchase from the non-profit organization To Write Love On Her Arms helps support those struggling with mental illness and addiction. It was started when Jamie Tworkowski met Renee Yohe. Renee was a tormented young girl struggling with alcoholism, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. Jamie chronicled the five days he spent with Renee before she entered rehab in the story To Write Love On Her Arms. Jamie also began selling t-shirts to help cover the costs of her rehab, and his an act of kindness turned into something much larger. Now, To Write Love On Her Arms is a non-profit that helps raise awareness and funds to help those struggling with addiction and mental illness. They have an online store with apparel, jewelry, and more. A portion of the proceeds go to organizations and centers that provide services of recovery and treatment.
Roma Rubber Rain Boots
Retail $33.39 – varies
These Roma Rain Boots for women are 100% water proof, and they come in multiple colors and finishes. The best part is for every pair you purchase, a brand new pair of rain boots is given to a child in need. Give a pair to someone special and help kids living in poverty.
The Lost Gift – A Christmas Story Bundle by Kohl’s Cares
Retail $8.00
When you purchase this Christmas Bundle, Kohl’s Cares donates 100% of the net profits to support children’s initiatives across the country.
Ardent Rose Eau de Parfum
Retail $42.99
This perfume purchase supports Roses for Autism which is a nonprofit florist and gift shop based in Connecticut that provides transition to work programs for those with Autism.
Clare V.
Retail $99.00
Help make pregnancy and childbirth safe for women all over the world with a simple t-shirt purchase. The French design from Clare V. is in partnership with Every Mother Counts. Clare V. donates 100% of net proceeds to the organizations to help keep mothers safe. There are also sweatshirts, bags and more that support the cause.
Collection For A Cause
Retail $50.00
This Calendula Skincare Collection from Kiehl’s comes with a foaming face wash, toner, hydration masque, and ultra facial cream. With its purchase, it helps provide 408 meals for Feeding America.
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