Gifts with Heart: 15 Thoughtful US Ideas Supporting Causes in Need
When my daughter received an axolotl stuffed animal from her grandmother, I was initially annoyed, wondering if we really needed another toy. However, this gift from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) had a purpose: it supports conservation efforts, with 85% of proceeds going towards conservation work and a four-star rating on Charity Navigator. Despite my initial hesitation, my daughter loved it, and I appreciated the gesture, especially given the current climate crisis.
While buying a stuffed axolotl won't save us from climate catastrophe, it's one way to contribute to a cause. Other methods include donating, organizing, volunteering, or supporting small, community-owned businesses. For non-profits, merchandise can help raise funds and visibility. Here are some thoughtful gifts that support various causes, all with four-star ratings from Charity Navigator.
WWF Gift Buckets
- Price: $75
- Description: WWF offers gift buckets with three or four 8-inch stuffed animals, including the three-toed sloth, emperor penguin chick, and cotton-top tamarin. They also have nesting dolls ($75).
Rainforest Alliance Jungle Art Print
- Price: $30
- Description: A beautiful poster without overly promotional slogans. Also available is a baby onesie made with organic cotton and printed in a renewable energy-powered factory, with all proceeds supporting the Rainforest Alliance program.
Greenpeace USA x Shepard Fairey We Believe T-shirt
- Price: $30
- Description: Shepard Fairey's collaboration with Greenpeace aims to raise awareness about big oil's suppression of free speech and peaceful protest. Proceeds go to Greenpeace's Warrior Defense Fund and their campaign against Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (Slapp) lawsuits.
UNICEF's Embroidered Wool Ornaments
- Price: $29.95
- Description: A set of 6 ornaments, each purchased provides enough polio vaccine to protect 36 children and oral rehydration salts to combat dehydration and diarrhea.
International Medical Corps' 100% Cotton Hammock
- Price: $189.99
- Description: Made by Mayan artisans in Yucatan, this hammock supports healthcare and relief efforts in conflict-affected areas.
World Central Kitchen's Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope Cookbook
- Price: $19.35
- Description: A cookbook featuring recipes from various regions where World Central Kitchen operates, with proceeds supporting the organization and its partner, Conscious Step, which creates merchandise that donates to causes.
Human Rights Campaign's Love is Love Embroidered Sweatshirt
- Price: $65
- Description: All proceeds from this merchandise support LGBTQ+ communities.
ACLU x BAGGU Support Your Local Drag Queens Tote
- Price: $18
- Description: This tote supports the Drag Defense Fund, which fights censorship of drag performers.
CV X Every Mother Counts Oversized Sweatshirt
- Price: $165
- Description: A collaboration between Every Mother Counts and small businesses, with proceeds supporting women and children globally.
ACLU's Banned Bookworm Tee
- Price: $28
- Description: This tee supports the ACLU's democracy fund, pushing back against book bans in schools and libraries.
NPR Tiny Desk Tote Bag
- Price: $17
- Description: A tote bag with proceeds supporting NPR's journalism.
Guardian x Lingua Franca 'For Facts' Sake' Crewneck
- Price: $380
- Description: A 100% cashmere sweater with 20% of profits benefiting theguardian.org, supporting impactful journalism.
Science Museum of Minnesota Cretaceous Cardigan
- Price: $69.99
- Description: A cardigan with proceeds supporting the museum.
New York's Studio Museum All Very Goods, Limited Edition Love Birds Scarf
- Price: $54
- Description: A scarf with 100% of proceeds going to the museum.
JANM Origami Cranes Gift Wrapping Papers
- Price: $13.99
- Description: Gift wrapping papers supporting Japanese American culture and the museum's online gift shop.
