In my family we have a tradition of giving one another gifts that give back whenever possible. It started between my parents and myself when I hit my twenties and realized that the small token gifts I was able to give them were not necessarily the best use of my money. Each holiday season from that point on I began searching out causes to donate to and items that directly benefit the artisans that crafted them. The way I see it, the majority of people in my life have well above and beyond what they could ever need. Rather than give them yet another gift basket or more products that will sit in their cupboards, I would prefer to use the money I would spend on those items to honor them by making a real, tangible difference in the lives of others.
Now I know that not everyone appreciates that you bought a cow for a struggling family in a developing country rather than a physical gift for them. That’s completely fine. This type of gift giving isn’t for everyone but it is my hope that by sharing my family’s tradition, you might in turn be inspired to consider giving gifts that give back this holiday season.
Check out some of my favorite ideas for 2015 after the jump…
A Few Donation Options
Heifer International – A large, well known organization that works to end hunger and poverty. You can select a gift either by choosing a specific cause you wish to give to or a dollar amount you are able to donate. Their wide range of gifts span all budgets and offer families everything from vitamins to a cow. Heifer International strives to give families what they need to achieve self-reliance so they are then able to help other families around them work towards the same goal.
United Nations Foundation – This is a way to connect with the work the United Nations does. The Foundation works to reduce childhood mortality from disease, advocates for the rights of women and girls, provides disaster relief, and works to create clean energy. Their website offers the opportunity to donate to any of these causes specifically.
CARE – A humanitarian organization that works in over 90 countries to support poverty-fighting development and causes. Their website allows you to search for the perfect gift by cause, relationship, occasion, interest, and price point for gifts that range from soccer balls for community centers to agricultural training.
Animal Welfare Institute – AWI strives to alleviate suffering of animals that has been inflicted by people. They emphasize working to end animal factories and animal torture. A gift to AWI helps fund their work protecting animals.
Carter Center – An organization committed to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering through the prevention and resolution of conflict, the enhancement of freedom and democracy and through improvements in health. You can give to a specific pressing cause they are working with or give a general donation.
There are concerns and criticisms to be found about each of the above organizations. Prior to making any type of donation I highly recommend reading through some of them to ensure that you select the organization that you are most comfortable with. I also suggest reading the fine print – you may sign up for buying a family a chicken when in reality the organization deems there to be greater needs elsewhere and uses the money accordingly. Please do your due diligence!
A Few Physical Gift Options
Akola Project – Brittany founded Akola, which means “she works” in local Ugandan dialect, as a way to employ and guarantee a monthly income to more than 250 women in Uganda who are caring for over 2,500 orphaned children out of their homes. By partnering with women she met while living in Uganda she is able to assist in lifting both the women and children out of extreme poverty. The Akola product line is now carried in large nation-wide departments stores and through it’s success Brittany was able to open Akola Dallas in 2014 which provides an economic alternative to victims of sex trafficking by giving them business training and employment at Akola’s US distribution center.
Just a few of Akola’s gorgeous pieces – a chain length necklace, cutout earrings and a wrap bracelet
Gahaya Links – Following the Rwandan Genocide, two sisters recognized an opportunity to use traditional Rwandan weaving to provide a source of income to widows, single mothers and orphaned teenage girls. Twenty years later the company manages a network of over 5,000 weavers across Rwanda. Through strategic partnerships, including one with Macy’s, Gahaya Links is the leading exporter of one-of-a-kind Rwandan baskets.
Some examples of the work the artisans of Gahaya Link create.
The Brave Collection – Jessica created The Brave Collection after working as an English teacher in Cambodia and witnessing the impact that the country’s violent past and genocide continues to have on the population. Jessica was inspired to combine her love of jewelry and philanthropy to create a unique community of talented Cambodian artisans, mostly whom are mothers, that provides each woman with a free and fair working environment, higher than average wages, health benefits, and education stipends for their children. In addition, 10% of The Brave Collection’s proceeds go towards fighting human trafficking in Cambodia by working with local organizations to provide support programming to vulnerable Cambodian girls.
Some of The Brave Collection’s gorgeous bracelets – Sunset Cobra ID, Chestnut, Olive Cobra Stitch, and Teal “Without Limits” Cobra Stitch
To the Market – This organization showcases goods made by artisans who have overcome abuse, conflict or disease. The group works with local partners on a global level to bring these goods “to the market” and takes an active role in equipping the survivors with economic independence as well as raising awareness of the challenges they face.
Just a couple of the hundreds of options – Alexandra Necklace, Millie in Silver Spiral, Folding Clutch, and Kennedy Necklace
Lush – In 2007 Lush created a hand and body lotion they call “Charity Pot”. 100% of each Charity Pot’s sales go towards supporting humanitarian, environmental and animal rights causes around the world. Since it’s creation this little pot of lotion has allowed Lush to donate more than $10,000,000 to 850+ global organizations. The Charity Pot is a great place to start if you’re looking for a way to ease into this type of gift giving…any of your girlfriends would be thrilled to receive a lovely little gift from Lush this holiday season.
These are just a few of the thousands upon thousands of amazing causes and products you can incorporate into both the holidays and your daily life. I hope that this year you might consider looking at gift giving just a little differently and work to find alternatives to traditional presents that speak to you and your loved ones personally.