Keep the Giving Tuesday Spirit Going with Gifts that Give Back

After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a welcome opportunity to give back to communities most in need.

According to the Giving Tuesday Data Commons, 35 million people participated in Giving Tuesday initiatives in 2021. Meanwhile, Whole Whale predicts that $3.2 billion will be raised on Giving Tuesday 2022, an 18% increase from last year’s figure.

While many people choose to donate directly to charities on Giving Tuesday, there are many other ways to embrace the spirit of the day.

One option is to shop with social enterprises and other businesses that give back to or support their communities. Depending on your shopping priorities, you might have been consciously doing this for years. If you don't already do this, then there's no better time to start!

What is a social enterprise?

The Social Enterprise Alliance defines social enterprises as “Organizations that address a basic unmet need or solve a social or environmental problem through a market-driven approach."

While the Annie E. Casey Foundation describes them as “revenue generating businesses with a mission.”

You might be asking is every business that gives back to its community, a social enterprise? While some companies might self-identify this way, that doesn't make them social enterprises. For example, a Fortune 500 company may have a social responsibility program or be committed to donating to the communities where they operate. Still, this business would not be classified as a social enterprise purely because their primary mission isn't the social enterprise element.

Give a Gift that gives back to five social enterprise organizations

If you’re looking to give a gift to work colleagues or loved ones that give back this Giving Tuesday, our Make An Impact – Gifts That Give Back gift set checks all of the boxes.

All of the products in this gift set come from social enterprises, with four of the five businesses also women-owned, another under-represented demographic that we love to support!

Here’s what in the meaningful gift set and a little about the makers’ behind the gifts.

The Nashville Blanket Project: Golden Hour Blanket

When you buy a Nashville Blanket Project blanket, you help to spread warmth throughout Tennessee.! That’s because this social enterprise donates a blanket to a shelter or person in need for every blanket sold.

What’s more, these cozy blankets are responsibly made from reclaimed fibers, so they also give back to the environment. There’s even a cool bag to store or carry this blanket around in!

Thistle Farms: Celebration Candle

Thistle Farms provides female survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction a place to rebuild their lives. Every morning, Thistle Farms lights a candle as a symbol of sanctuary and hope for the next woman who arrives seeking help.

While you can buy many Thistle Farms products from Batch, this gift set features Thistle Farms’ “Hope” Celebration Candle, scented with soothing lavender and crisp lemon to create the essence of a new dawn. 

BrightStone: Blondie Mix

BrightStone provides work and social support for adults with developmental disabilities. This empowering group focuses on harnessing the abilities, talents, and skills of the adults it works with to help them develop and realize their potential.

Included in this gift set is Brightstone’s delicious all-in-one blondie mix , ideal for those evenings when you want something sweet but don’t want to head to the store!

S’well: Water Bottle

S’well’s mission is for as many people as possible to own one of its reusable water bottles or bowls. Why? First, every product sold means fewer plastic bottles sold, used, and discarded. Second, S’well takes the money from its profits and pledges the cash to non-profits worldwide.

Our Make an Impact gift set includes a stylish water bottle to help the lucky recipient reduce their plastic footprint. If you're buying one for everyone in the office, remember to include a reminder to start bringing this reusable bottle for the water cooler!

Blue Monarch: Out of the Blue Granola

Blue Monarch’s mission is to provide a long-term residential community to women recovering from abuse, addiction, economic hardship, or mental health issues.

With this Batch gift set each recipient will get a bag of Out of the Blue granola made on-site by the women in the program. Every pack of granola includes a photograph of one of the women in the Blue Monarch program and her recovery story.

How you can give back with Batch on Giving Tuesday…and all year round

At Batch, we’re passionate about our makers and their stories and we love supporting diverse business owners. Here you can find products that align with your values, too, whether you're buying from Batch for your business or as an individual.

Learn more about our community of diverse makers.

We're particularly passionate about supporting social enterprises and are honored to carry a range of products from such organizations that give back to their communities.