Last updated on December 9th, 2020 at 07:01 pm
This is by no means a comprehensive list — there are too many D2C wellness comanies doing amazing things for the community — but here are a few examples of direct-to-consumer brands that have shown an impressive commitment to charitable causes larger than mere profits.
Green initiatives focused on environmental sustainability have attracted the most donation in recent years. Startups like Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market sell fresh produce boxes that reduce food waste and support local farmers. Organic tampon startup Tampon Tribe pushes an agenda of carbon neutrality with eco-friendly packaging and the elimination of single-use plastics. Finally Chippin is a forward-thinking dog food brand that uses sustainable protein sources (i.e. delicious crickets!) to lower the typically unscrutinized carbon emissions of man’s best friend.
Naturally 2020 also saw a tidal wave of support for charities related to COVID-19 that improve health & safety, especially for front-line workers. The CDC Foundation, The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and PATH are among the most popular charities D2C brands have donated to during the crisis, according to Andrew Forman (founder of aforementioned Givz).
Helping underserved communities in general is also common, with hunger reduction being the most popular. While direct to consumer pioneers like Toms and Warby Parker first popularized the buy-one-give-one approach, brands like Thrive Market have kept the traditional alive by donating free memberships to those in need. Whether it’s on the other side of the globe or in our own backyard, alleviating poverty hits closer to home for many D2C brands as income inequality continues to rise.
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