26 Gifts That Give Back to a Worthy Cause

It's rare to find a gift that you and the recipient can both feel good about. And while you may be inclined to choose a present that perfectly captures whatever they love most, consider one that's even better: something that helps others, too.

These charitable gifts are a thoughtful way to support important causes—the environment, children in need, minority groups, shelter animals and wildlife, and so much more—while bringing happiness to someone else this holiday season. Many of the brands featured here support causes that have a national and even worldwide reach, working with shelters, non-profits, and organizations all dedicated to helping in-need and at-risk communities. Lauren Bush Lauren's FEED Projects offers tote bags, jewelry, accessories, and housewares that all feed children in schools around the world. LSTN Sound Company headphones, fittingly, help people in need of hearing aids. And for every pair of Bombas socks sold, a pair is donated to someone in need.

And that isn't to say that the items themselves aren't heirloom-quality—they are. Think natural materials that harm neither your health nor the planet, artisanal craftsmanship, and goods that are ethically and sustainably made. Oftentimes, these features in a product and the cause it benefits go hand in hand. It's all part of being a conscious consumer.

No matter which gift you choose, remember this: All of these brands and their products have a strong mission in making the world a better place. And in making a purchase, you're doing your part.

This 8-in-1 cookware isn't just a cult favorite that's sold out more than once. Meals are donated to Feeding America for every purchase and the proceeds from all sales have donated to over 200,000 meals.

Shop Now: Our Place Always Pan, $145, fromourplace.com.

This gift set courtesy of Oleamea, a Turkish family-owned and operated brand, is perfect for foodies. The set comes with two of the brand's signature offerings, including the Organic Premium Everyday Olive Oil (featuring hints of green almond and wild herbs) and the Organic Private Select Olive Oil (made with notes of fresh cut grass and green banana). The best part? The company will donate part of its online sales to The Conscious Kid, an organization that promotes positive racial identity development in children. 

Shop Now: Oleamea Organic Olive Oil Extra Virgin Gift Pack, $21, oleamea.com.

Every 60 seconds, a child in Africa dies of malaria; yet in areas with high coverage of insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria rates can be reduced by 90 percent. To do their part, for every Venice Set sold, Parachute donates a life-saving bed net through their partnership with Nothing But Nets. (They also donate washed or used bedding to Habitat for Humanity.)

Shop Now: Parachute Linen "Venice" Set, from $359, parachute.com.

This portable product helps skin stay hydrated by emitting a cool, quiet mist. Hey Dewy donates 10 percent of its company's sales to The Water Project, which is a charity that provides access to clean, safe, and reliable water across sub-Saharan Africa.

Shop Now: Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier, $39, revolve.com.

Looking good and doing good are one in the same with Warby Parker eyewear. Their Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program has resulted in seven million donations worldwide to date.

Shop Now: Warby Parker "Laurel" Sunglasses, starting from $95, warbyparker.com.

Chantecaille proudly joins the Marine Conservation Institute in their efforts to protect 10 percent of the world's oceans by this year. Five percent of the net proceeds of all Cheek Shade sales—this one is, fittingly, named Coral—will benefit the six charities included in the collection.

Shop Now: Chantecaille Philanthropy Cheek Shade, in Coral, $40, olivela.com.

It's more than chic container for leftovers. With every bowl you buy, you're supporting food education in public schools through W&P's partnership with Edible Schoolyard NYC.

Shop Now: W&P Porter Lunch Bowl Container, $25, food52.com.

Gear up the whole family: For every State bag purchased, the company will support American children and families in need with giving initiatives that include donating fully-packed backpacks at bag drop rallies and funding special projects with partner charities and schools.

Shop Now: State Bags Mini Kane Travel, $60, statebags.com.

Bundle up in pure woolly warmth. This blanket supports the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks. Its historic markings and colors date back to the frontier trading posts.

Shop Now: Pendleton National Park Blanket, starting from $239, pendleton-usa.com.

Help someone put their best foot forward. For every pair of ROMA Boots sold, a new pair of rain boots are donated to a child living in poverty.

Shop Now: Roma Women's "Chelsea" Rain Boots, $69, romaboots.com.

This was quite possibly the "it" item of 2020—and Rendall Co. wants everyone to wear one. They donate a mask for every order, giving to essential workers via 40-plus nonprofit organizations serving people experiencing homelessness.

Shop Now: Rendall Co. Sentry Mask, $19, rendallco.com.

Hand-washing was also paramount this year and these bar soaps come in four fragrances: cactus blossom, lavender, citrus grove, and sea salt. With every purchase, one bar of soap and one month of clean water is donated to a child in need; three million have been donated so far.

Shop Now: Hand in Hand Bar Soap Set, $22, handinhandsoap.com.

This pair is designed with some flashy features: built-in mic controls, eight-hour hour battery life, and real zebra wood often coveted for world-class musical instruments. Plus, every LSTN purchase helps give hearing aids through Starkey Hearing Foundation; they've helped over 30,000 people so far.

Shop Now: LSTN Sound Co. "The Troubadour" Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, $180, lstnsound.com.

Bombas socks are moisture-wicking, temperature-controlling, and oh-so comfortable. For every pair sold, they donate a pair to someone in need. They've donated over 40 million pairs of socks, to date.

Shop Now: Bombas Men's Merino Wool Calf Socks, $18, bombas.com.

This handsome accessory does good for Mother Nature: With every order, they donate $3 to their eco-warrior partners who not only plant trees but focus on projects organized by local leaders to engage and educate communities on the importance of environmental conservation through reforestation.

Shop Now: Enbois Originals Jafari Sandal Wood Watch, $85, enbois-originals.com.

These ethically handcrafted earrings come with a beautiful sentiment: All of the proceeds go to their non-profit, International Sanctuary, to provide each artisan (who is escaping human trafficking) with fair wages, education and holistic care.

Shop Now: Purpose Jewelry Costa Earrings, $53, purposejewelry.com.

Lauren Bush Lauren's fashionable accessories and housewares are each paired with a number representing the school meals donated with its purchase. As part of their overall charity, a purchase of this bag provides 100 meals to children in need.

Shop Now: FEED "Harriet" Tote, $138, feedprojects.com.

Helena and Woody Hambrecht, the co-founders (and married duo) of Haus, work with restaurants across America to craft apéritifs that reflect their culinary approach. All of the profits go to the restaurants, enabling them to support employees and cover costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shop Now: Haus Restaurant Project Apéritif, $35, drink.haus.

Here's a fun throwback to your days of making friendship bracelets, but this box of beads is forward-thinking: Every purchase supports the brand's mission to give sustainable, life-giving jobs to women in Uganda. So far, they've employed 183 Ugandan women in poverty, providing them with financial stability and educational opportunities.

Shop Now: Akola Karatasi DIY Bracelet Kit in Rainbow, $50, akola.co.

Handmade in quality materials—think 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton—Plover has partnered with Save the Children to donate blankets to babies who have become unexpectedly vulnerable by disasters, emergencies, and conflict; they will match every $10 donated to purchase a blanket to keep a baby warm and safe. (Simply click the "Donate" button at checkout.)

Shop Now: Plover "Climbing Vine" Baby Quilt, $75, ploverorganic.com.

This jewelry is beautiful in more ways than one—the company was founded by a three-time cancer survivor who donates 20 percent of sales to national charity partners Cancer Care, Nami, The Trevor Project, and RAINN.

Shop Now: Awe Inspired Diamond Bar Necklace, $135, aweinspired.com.

Photographer Kristen Loken created this book to document how those in the California food industry are coping and evolving during these unprecedented times—chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, and others who share their stories of both loss and strength. Fifteen percent of profits will be donated to No Kid Hungry.

Shop Now: Food People are the Best People, $35, foodpeoplebook.com.

Azizi Life is so much more than a home décor business—they employ hundreds of artisans in the rural communities of Rwanda to create heirloom wares, such as this woven bowl crafted from natural sisal fibers. 

Shop Now: Azizi Life "Zera" Woven Bowl, starting from $22, azizilife.com.

Here's a pick-me-up: As the name would imply, 20 percent of all profits generated (fair trade and organic specialty coffees) are used to fund innovative and impactful animal rescue programs throughout the country.

Shop Now: Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. "Sunrise Rescue" Gift Pack, $50, groundsandhoundscoffee.com.

This hat does more than keep your noggin warm in the winter. Half of all net profits from their sales is given to nonprofits in support of charitable programming and research in the fight against pediatric cancer. Since 2012, they have donated $7.2 million and 200,000-plus beanies.

Shop Now: Love Your Melon Navy Speckled Beanie, $30, loveyourmelon.com.

It wouldn't be the holidays without something decadent—and this is one indulgence you can feel good about. It's a non-profit established to create meaningful employment for individuals with Autism and disabilities. Pick your tin color (red, gold, silver) and choose your flavor—white cheddar, salt and vinegar, old-fashioned kettle, or one of their gourmet concoctions.

Shop Now: Popcorn for the People Custom Tin, $29, popcornforthepeople.com.