Merch for Good: Leverage Branded Swag to Support Important Causes

11.11.2024 | Featured Homepage, giving back, Holiday, Volunteering, Swag, 2024, Beverage, Corporate Gifts

Breast Cancer Awareness Month might be over, but supporting the movement doesn’t have to end. The season of giving is just beginning, as the final quarter of the year has become a time for companies to refocus on giving back—whether that’s through donations, team volunteer events, or putting remaining budgets to good use in support of charitable causes.

For companies looking to make a meaningful impact, branded merchandise provides a unique opportunity to support causes that matter to them and their communities. Here’s how your organization can leverage merchandise to make a difference this season.

Choosing Cause-Driven Brands in Corporate Gifting Programs

Corporate holiday gifts are an ideal way to give back while showing appreciation for employees, clients, and partners. By selecting mission-driven merchandise, you can make a positive impact through products that come with charitable giving built in.

Top Pick for Impact: Backpacks for the American Cancer Society

These bags are a practical option for branded merch, and a portion of each purchase goes directly to the American Cancer Society. If you’re looking to continue Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives through the rest of the year, we can’t think of a better product than this bag.

⭐️ Contact our team to add this bag to your branded swag options this holiday season!

Mission-Driven Brands We Love

We work with a host of brands that have giving back built into their business. By incorporating products from these brands into your holiday gifts, you’re giving a high-quality item that aligns with eco-friendly and socially responsible initiatives.

Tentree: Tentree’s mission is as clear as their name; the company is committed to planting ten trees for every item purchased in an effort to regenerate ecosystems, capture carbon and provide planting jobs in communities around the world. Their products are also created with an "Earth-First" approach, meaning they’re made in fair, safe working conditions, and constructed using only sustainably sourced and recycled materials.

MiiR: MiiR keeps its mission closely connected to its product of high-quality drinkware by donating a portion of proceeds to fund clean water projects. In addition, the company has committed to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2030 and minimize the impact of materials, manufacturing, and distribution of their products.

Corkcircle: Corkcircle has partnered with charity: water to ensure that every purchase made on Corkcicle products brings clean water to those in need. With the mantra of "clean water changes everything," this company is on a mission to save lives, boost economies, and empower women through providing access to safe drinking water.

Storm Creek: Storm Creek has sustainability ingrained in every layer of its organization, from the recycled bottles that become fibers of their high-quality apparel to their carbon-offset initiatives, this brand showcases how a major company can still put the planet first. In addition, the brand has a goal of donating $5 million to charity by 2030, and hit their first million in donations in 2022.

Shelter to Soldier: Shelter to Soldier is a CA 501c3 nonprofit organization that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans to help both recover and move forward. A portion of all proceeds from the Work®/iCOOL® is donated to Shelter to Soldier.

Supporting brands with a mission amplifies the impact of your gifts, creating an opportunity for your company and recipients to connect with causes that align with their values.

⭐️ Want to know what other brands and products are available for mission-driven merch? Learn more here!

Creating Special Edition Merch to Fundraise for a Cause

The holiday season is a great time to launch special edition merchandise, with proceeds dedicated to a cause close to your brand’s heart. Limited-edition items allow you to get creative with design while highlighting a purpose that resonates with your audience. We love these examples of Breast Cancer Awareness supporting products, and we've seen some truly creative ideas to support Pride each year.

If you're interested in creating special edition merchandise, you might consider products like cozy fleece pullovers or bags that carry a message of hope or empowerment. For example, a limited-edition holiday sweater with a portion of sales going toward a nonprofit not only makes a memorable gift but also supports a meaningful mission.

Pro Tip: If you create a special edition product to support the cause of your choice, make it clear about the intentions and impact of that product. People are more likely to support causes that come with a tangible outcome, so make sure to communicate the specific impact of each purchase—such as meals provided, funds raised for research, or resources allocated. This transparency adds value, helping your audience see how their support translates into real-world change.

Providing Branded Merch for Volunteering Events

For companies organizing volunteer events, branded merch helps foster a sense of unity and provides a practical keepsake for the team and the organizations you support.

Team Unity Through Branded Apparel: Outfit your volunteers with branded T-shirts, caps, or jackets to create a cohesive look during events. Branded apparel makes your team easily recognizable, promoting your brand’s involvement and demonstrating a united front for the cause.

This can also double as a fun way to experiment with design — like these fundraiser T-Shirts that Stran created for a client!

Practical Products for the Partner Organization: Gifting practical branded items—like water bottles, hats, or tote bags—to the nonprofit and their clients or volunteers can extend your impact. These items not only serve as useful, everyday tools but also act as lasting reminders of your brand’s commitment to supporting their mission.

Merch for volunteer events can serve as a memorable touchpoint for everyone involved, strengthening your company’s bond with the community and reinforcing your dedication to making a difference.

Making a Lasting Impact With Purpose-Driven Merch

As we enter a season that celebrates generosity, branded merchandise offers companies an effective, authentic way to engage with social causes. By choosing mission-driven products for corporate gifting, creating special edition merch with a purpose, and bringing branded items to volunteer events, you’re ensuring that every piece of merch contributes to a greater good. This holiday season, let your brand’s presence create lasting positive impact—one meaningful item at a time.