Something in Pink? How to Shop for a Good Cause

When people shop, they generally know what they’re looking for. New boots, a new necklace, a replacement iPhone charger—you could be searching for a variety of things. Why not search for companies that regularly donate a percentage of their sales to a charitable foundation. That way you can use your purchase to make an impact and feel better about it at the same time.

One Hope, a social enterprise based in California, donates half of their sales of wines, coffees, and teas to worthy causes. They have partnerships with a number of different causes and, since their founding in 2007, have donated a total of over $1 million to make an impact. Similarly, Keeper Springs America is a bottled water company that donates 100% of their proceeds to improved water quality and waterways. To date, they have donated more than $900,000 to water preservation and clean up projects around the United States.

Founded by actor Paul Newman, Newman’s Own, known for their salad dressings and spaghetti sauce, is the daddy of them all, having donated $400 million since 1982. All of the profits at that company are donated to charity, two of which are Edible Schoolyard NYC, a nonprofit that works to incorporate health and fitness programs into New York City public schools, and Food Corps, an organization that teaches children about healthy food options.

But food products aren’t the only way that you can support worthy causes with your purchase decisions. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation encourages buyers to Shop Pink to fight breast cancer. The organization, founded in 1993, has donated upwards of $45 million to research for a cure. They are unique in how they include survivors of breast cancer in their business model: they allow private businesses to become vendors for Shop Pink products on the condition that participants have been personally affected by a breast cancer diagnosis. Not only do consumers help the cause through purchases online or in-store, but they do so knowing that they’re connecting with someone directly affected by breast cancer.

For accessories, look to Solo, a sunglasses and eyewear company that donates 10% of their profits to those in need of glasses and cataract surgery. They have helped over 6,000 people around the globe to see again. Toms is another well-known company that donates a pair of shoes for every pair they sell. This one-for-one model has enabled them to donate over 10 million shoes to children in difficult situations.

When people actively participate in a cause that they care about, it creates a burst of endorphins, the feel-good hormones we experience to lift our moods and make us happy. Knowing that shopping for a good cause can boost your mental health, why turn down the opportunity to make the most of your dollar? Put your money towards something greater than yourself and shop with a purpose on your next purchase.