Looking for a more meaningful way to give this year?
Check out our team’s favorite socially-conscious companies to buy from and charities to give to this holiday season:
Raven + Lily
“The whole mission of this beautiful jewelry, clothing and home goods line is to ’empower women through design.’ I have many of their pieces of jewelry and clothing, and I LOVE to give them as gifts because they’re not only beautiful but support such an incredible cause and an unbelievable organization — that way, everyone that gets one of their items then looks into what they’re doing and sees the big picture 🙂 Check it out at http://www.ravenandlily.com“
-Catherine Sanderson
Teen and Family Services
“The charity of my choice this Christmas season is Teen and Family Services, a Texas-based nonprofit that fills such an important gap for families searching for answers. It’s a peer-based recovery support program for adolescents and their families who are suffering from the harmful effects of teen substance abuse. You can donate or learn more about their holistic approach at teenandfamilyservices.org.”
–Betty Cunningham
Marbridge Ranch
“My favorite charity is Marbridge Ranch, because it’s just a happy place, filled with kind people — staff, residents and volunteers. It offers a safe and comfortable home for many cognitively-challenged adults, and the programs at Marbridge enrich lives daily, by providing activities, skills training for jobs, and community. It is the place where you go to give, and you leave filled up…they turn it around, and you become the recipient of warm welcomes, friendly hellos and hugs, and just the most contagious, amazing smiles that will absolutely light you up. I love the place, and I love to support it! To support Marbridge Ranch during the holidays you can donate or become a short or long term volunteer. You can find these opportunities at www.marbridge.org“
–Cary Fyfe
Lush
“I also like Lush for great handmade skin care and body products and they have wonderful project called “Charity Pot,” 100% of the proceeds from sales of this cream is donated to small, grassroots organizations working in the areas of environmental conservation, animal welfare and human rights. Learn more about this great product at www.lushusa.com.”
–Alli Phillips
Buy Fair Trade
“Buying “Fair Trade” products and gifts (chocolate, coffee, wine, etc.) means that the workers and artisans around the world that grew/created/manufactured the food, goods, or gift items you purchase were paid a fair “living wage.” This is why “fair trade” goods are sometimes more expensive, but also why it’s so important to support these companies. Just look for “Fair Trade” signage as you shop around this holiday season.”
–Alli Phillips
Altar’d State
“I love this store for three reasons: 1). They have super cute clothes 2) . They have affordable clothes 3). They are service-oriented, and they donate 1% of all sales to local and international charities. They sponsor high-risk children in Peru, and they support their employees by sponsoring volunteer hours. To date, they have volunteered over 1600 hours! Check out their clothing and their mission at www.altardstate.com.
–Neissa Springmann
Victory School Uganda
“My good friends and Austin natives, Jeanne and Lew Little, founded the Victory School upon traveling to Uganda and witnessing first-hand the poverty and absolute practical and educational needs of the children in a remote village in Western Uganda. They founded the Kumakuma Foundation as a means to partner with the Victory School in Uganda and help provide the children with a quality education and a bright future. What I love about the Victory School is that for just $25 a month, I am able to sponsor a child, which provides tuition, books, supplies, a uniform, 2 meals a day, access to clean water and life skills. As a sponsor, I receive pictures and letters from my child and am able to write him as well. Find out more about this beautiful foundation at www.victoryschooluganda.org.”
–Neissa Springmann
Trinity Center Austin
“The Trinity Center is an incredible faith-based organization that loves on the homeless and provides them with emotional, spiritual and physical needs. From socks, underwear to tennis shoes, they provide it for these sweet people living in downtown Austin. To learn more and donate visit www.trinitycenteraustin.org/.”
–Neissa Springmann
Want some more great gift-giving ideas? Check out our
“give back” lists from previous years here and here.
Compiled by Delaine Teeple
the iGnite blog 