It has become one of the hottest trends in recent years – buying clothing and other items from organizations that give back. From supporting human and animal rights to environmental issues, these companies all aim to make the world a better place. There are hundreds of these types of these amazing organizations, but these are 14 worth noting:
1. Alex and Ani
The popular jewelry brand's Charity by Design collection supports organizations like American Heart Association, UNICEF, American Cancer Society and ASPCA. As of today, they have raised over $30 million for the charities that they are partnered with.
2. Anchal Project
Anchal Project works to stop the exploitation of women in India and around the world by providing them with safe career opportunities as textile artisans. By working for Anchal Project, these women are able to provide their families and themselves with food, health care and better housing.
These women create items like scarves, pillows and throws for Anchal Project, and by doing so, they earn between 25 and 100 percent more than they would otherwise.
3. Andy+
The proceeds from Andy+'s eco-friendly travel mugs go toward educating people in the underdeveloped countries that coffee beans come from.
4. Burt's Bees
They launched Wild for Bees, a campaign which aims to raise awareness on the declining honey bee population. With the purchase of every one of their special edition lip balms, 1,000 wildflowers will be planted to help support the bees. The balms come in Coconut & Pear, Pink Grapefruit and Wild Cherry flavors.
In addition, Burt's Bees launched The Burt's Bees Greater Good Foundation in 2007. The foundation is a non-profit organization that donates to charities who support the health of humans and bees. Ten percent of profits from the purchase of their products will be donated to the foundation.
5. Headbands of Hope
While interning at a wish-granting foundation in 2011, Headbands of Hope founder Jessica Ekstrom discovered that girls who have lost their hair to chemotherapy love wearing headbands. So, with every headband that Headbands of Hope sells, they give a headband to a child with cancer. Headbands of Hope also donates to childhood cancer organizations on a monthly basis.
6. Ivory Ella
Ivory Ella sells clothing items like shirts and hats, as well as items like water bottles and phone cases. Ten percent of their proceeds goes toward Save The Elephants. They have raised nearly $600,000 so far.
7. Love Your Melon
Love Your Melon is known for their beanies, but they also carry other styles of hats, mugs and shirts. Celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Dr. Oz can often be seen donning their hats on social media. College campuses across the U.S. are also able to open their own chapters where students can become ambassadors of the brand.
Their mission is to give a hat to every child fighting cancer in the U.S. In 2015, they were able to personally donate 51,264 hats to children undergoing cancer treatment. They also donate half of their proceeds to their non-profit partners who work in the pediatric cancer research field.
8. Mission Belt
Mission Belt's products, which include belts, hats and shirts, have been featured in places like Good Morning America and Forbes. Their belts do not have holes and include a crack-free guarantee. They even have NHL, NBA and NCAA licensed belts. With the purchase of each belt, a dollar is donated toward fighting poverty and hunger worldwide.
9. Sackcloth & Ashes
Sackcloth & Ashes sells blankets in the U.S. and Canada. For every blanket purchased, they donate a blanket to a local homeless shelter.
10. Sevenly
Every week, Sevenly donates a portion of their proceeds to a new cause that they support. The organization was founded in 2011, and to date, they have raised nearly $4.5 million. They carry bags and clothing items for both men and women.
11. SOCIETY B
Society B donates 10 percent of all purchases to the charity that the customer selects at check-out. Options include Kids in Need Foundation, Water.org., and Action Against Hunger.
They sell a variety of items, such as clothing and home items, from a large number of brands.
12. STONE & CLOTH
Founded in 2012, STONE & CLOTH sells American-made totes and backpacks. Each purchase of one of their items helps to give a scholarship to a student in need.
13. TOMS
While TOMS is widely known for donating their shoes, they also have items like sunglasses and coffee which help them to donate toward other causes like eye sight, child birth, water and bullying prevention.
14. Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine carries oral and body care products. Their products contain no artificial colors, flavors, fragrances and preservatives. In addition, they do not test on animals and aim for the highest possible recyclability of their packaging.
Tom's of Maine donates ten percent of their profits to helping humans and the environment. Their employees spend five percent of their time, or 12 days out of the year, volunteering as well.