This Giving Tuesday, there is no shortage of worthy organizations to support. From Veterans charities, to those trying to help civilians in need in Israel and Gaza, to the organizations pushing back against the ongoing threat of gun violence in our local communities–we only ask that you take the opportunity on Giving Tuesday to really think about the causes that are important to you and what you might be able to do about that. Maybe that means giving your time; maybe sending a little money or setting up monthly giving; maybe you can just amplify your favorite causes on your social media channels to help reach others with more means.
And of course, as this is the big shopping season of the year, you can also cross off some of your holiday list items by buying from makers and websites that offer gifts that give back to important organizations and initiatives with a decent percentage of purchases.
Each year, we round up tons of gifts that give back and even include them in our general gift guides. But today, I’m putting together up 15 gift ideas that are perfect for Giving Tuesday or, if you’re a procrastinator like me, mid-December when my purchase will still do good things for others.
Let us help you shop with our Holiday Gift Guides for everyone on your list
64 Gifts under $15 That Don’t Feel Like Stocking Stuffers
Thoughtful Gifts for Moms and Grandmas
Wonderful Gifts for Dads and Grandpas
Our guide to The Best Gifts For Kids by Age
22 Hanukkah Gifts for Kids of all Ages
17 Gen Z gifts that give back to the incredible causes they care about
The Cool Mom Eats Gift Guides for Cooks, Bakers and Eaters
Gifts on Cool Mom Tech for gamers, cooks, techies, and anyone with a phone!
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Brass French Press
Giving back to support US national parks
Support our national parks with beautifully designed items at the Parks Project like this stainless steel French press, which is ready for camping or glamping. Or maybe just Sunday morning brunch in your kitchen. Don’t tell her, but I’ve already purchased this for my “break-anything-glass”, outdoors-loving college student. ($65, Parks Project)
Choose Kind Coffee
Giving back to Kindness.org’s research-based solutions for making the world a kinder place.
Follow up the coffee press above with some whole beans that give back in themselves. This unique new brew blends Colombian Arabica coffee beans with the body-and-mind benefits of reishi, aloe, and lion’s mane mushrooms from Oregon’s Bridgetown Mushrooms. Even the packaging is sustainable. (Read about the process, it’s fascinating.) A full $5 from the sale of each bag goes to the excellent Kindness.org. $54, Preorder now at RPG Coffee with shipping is planned for Feb when we are all focused on wellness again! It will be a nice little surprise.)
Alternately: You can send a gift box of their signature RPG Super Coffee to a service member in need, who will surely appreciate it. ($46)
“Resist” necklace
Giving back to support mental health and social justice organizations
Small but mighty, the pretty hand gestures necklaces at GLDN carry a powerful little message, like the “resist” fist, above, which donates 10% of profits to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation to fund research to reduce suffering caused by mental illness. Remaining profits from this Resist piece go towards the fight for social justice via NAACP and the Global Fund for Women. Other designs include the peace sign, crossed fingers, and a big middle finger for “nope” (shown at top). ($50+, GLDN)
ABLE Mamuye leather tote bag:
Giving back to support working women around the world
Long-time CMP favorite ABLE has expanded far beyond their original handbags, but we still love this OG fine leather tote that can fit a TON and goes with everything. We love their mission to help lift women from poverty with fair wages, healthcare, and educational opportunities in both their headquarters of Nashville as well as via value-aligned manufacturers around the world. And they just extended their 40% off offer til the end of Giving Tuesday! (Normally $198 but currently $119 with code COOLMOMHOLIDAY40, ABLE)
Une Femme sparkling wines:
Giving back to an array of women’s charities
Cheers for women-made wines that taste delicious and also give back to women’s charities like TreeSisters, Dress for Success, and Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Their sparkling white (“The Betty”) and sparkling rose (“The Callie”) come packaged in a gift box with a sparkling wine stopper; perfect for that one woman you know who has a lot to toast going into 2024. Thanks to friend, author, and advocate Zibby Owens for tipping us off to this one! (on sale $36, Une Femme Wines)
Modern Hanukkah Tzedakah Box
Giving back to support American civil liberties
In our Kids’ Hanukkah Gift Guide, we shared a number of gifts that give back. Like this gorgeous handmade pomegranate tzedakah box symbolizing abundance and sustencance–for kids to save money for charity–made by Emily Rosenfeld, a favorite maker of ours for years. Proceeds help support the ACLU, so the giving begins before anyone has even added a coin to it. ($88, Emily Rosenfeld on Etsy)
Don’t Wait to be Great pillow:
Giving back to support unhoused people around the world.
Started by Jahkil Jackson when he was only eight years old, Project I Am’s original goal to help the homeless of Chicago has spread to so many regions around the world. We love these two confidence-building pillows that are wonderful for tweens, teens, or anyone on your list –and the fact that 10% of the purchase price goes right back to Project I Am’s mission. ($39, Crate & Kids)
Related: 17 Gen Z gifts that give back to the incredible causes they care about
Bombas x Pixar Collection Socks and
New Bombas Slippers for babies, toddlers, youth and adults
Giving back to families facing homelessness
Bombas’s buy-one, give-one model donates socks and footwear to those in need of one of the most requested items — socks. Good ones., While these adorable Pixar socks (in youth, toddler, and adult sizes) will bring a smile to someone’s face. Love how each pair features a different duo from the movies Up, Toy Story, WALL-E, and Monsters, Inc. Or, check out their brand new collection of cozy slipper socks sized for everyone on their list. No one says no to cozy, sherpa-lined slippers! ($76 for four socks or $18 each; Slippers $18 and up, Bombas)
Pacific Northwest Coast Demi-Mug Set
Giving back to authentic native artists
These pretty jewel-toned mugs are designed by master carver and native Pacific Northwest Tsimshian artist David Robert Boxley. With designs representing the grizzly bear, beaver, crane, and frog, they’re perfect for espresso, displaying on a shelf, or holding small items on your desk. Plus, your purchase helps support a website owned by the Seattle-based Snoqualmie Tribe which works to promote 100% Native-designed products. (on sale $26.50, Eighth Generation)
“When There are Nine” crewneck
Giving back to support women’s constitutional rights, from pay equity to pregnancy protections in the workplace.
One of the many important quotes from RBG, we love it on this hand-stitched on this 100% cashmere crewneck from woman-owned small biz Lingua Franca. Spendy (which is why these are so popular with celebrities everywhere), but love that 10% will be donated for the ACLU Women’s Rights Project, which is taking on so many important issues to help support women. We think she’d approve. ($380, Lingua Franca)
Women’s Bean Project food boxes
Giving back to support women seeking employment
We learned of Women’s Bean Project back in 2019 when we rounded up amazing Food Gifts that Give Back to People in Need.Their boxes start at under $40, include soups, snacks, and other goodies– all of them helping women transition to paid employment that enable them to gain job skills and earn money with dignified work to become self-sufficient. ($35+, Women’s Bean Project)
Presently Mantra Bracelets for Managing OCD + Anxiety
Giving back to support mental health non-profits
We recently discovered the lovely work of Presently, founded by two sisters who put proven cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to work on these bracelets for men, women, or teens. No mere “inspirational quotes” — these stunning beaded, macrame, and gemstone bracelets really help the wearer. (Liz owns this one and wears it daily.) And on top of it, while they’re a very small business, they donate 5% of every purchase year round to nonprofits like NAMI, The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and the Child-Mind Institute. (Starting around $48, Presently)
Fair trade felt bulldozer and other car and vehicle toys
Giving back to support women artisans in Nepal
Ethically handmade from New Zealand wool by women in Nepal, we love this entire fleet of vehicles, some with movable parts! Your purchase helps 68 female heads-of-household at Nuptse Crafts earn money to provide for their families while also gaining valuable skills and income. ($24 each, Global Goods Partners)
Love is Love Shimmer Collection Sparkling Brut
Giving back 10% to a charity of your choice
We’ve been longtime fans of One Hope Wines, which offers so many incredible varietals, bundles, and beautifully packaged gifts. The best part, is that now every single purchase will direct 10% to nearly any charity at all that you choose. Search for any 501©3 nonprofit, a specific fundraiser, or let them choose for you. ($59, One Hope)
Cinnamon sugar beeswax candle:
Giving back to Habitat for Humanity
In memory of Rosalynn Carter, we all wanted to included this beautifully smelling beeswax candle that supports Habitat for Humanity, a charity the Carters have been a part of for decades — and that we’re all big fans of too. ($29.95, Conscious Step)
Celebrity-Designed Spatulas:
Giving back to food-insecure children and families
If you like your kitchen utensils with a touch of whimsy, these celeb-designed spatulas make great gifts, especially for young chefs. Designed by everyone from Pink to Common, we love that 30% of the retail price benefits Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. ($15.95, Williams Sonoma)
Buy one/ give one cruelty-free bar soaps
Giving back to support clean water and good hygiene in 23 countries
Perfect for a stocking stuffer, as part of a git basket, or just wrapped lovingly all on its own, we’d grab a few of Hand in Hand’s palm-oil-and-cruelty-free bar soaps. The company works to improve hygiene through the donation of soap and the building of new clean water wells. They come in five beautiful scents like cactus blossom, poppy, and almond cream– as well as an unscented bar if that’s how you roll. ($4.99, Hand in Hand Soap)
Imagine glass ornament:
Giving back to support those managing traumatic brain injury
Beautiful in its simplicity, Simon Pearce’s Imagine glass ornament donates 20% of its sales to LoveYourBrain. This nonprofit was started by Pearce’s two sons, Kevin and Adam Pearce, to help those affected by Traumatic Brain Injury. ($80, Simon Pearce)
And of course, you can always make a tribute donation in someone’s name to a charity or organization that they appreciate.
Some of our favorite over the years (many of which are matching or otherwise increasing your giving impact on Giving Tuesday):
World Central Kitchen
Donors Choose
The Committee to Project Journalists
The Good+ Foundation
The Nature Conservancy
The Trevor Project
The Human Rights Campaign
Kindness.org
Team Rubicon
Women for Women International
