Solar Lights That Lead the Way

I was intrigued when the original Luci light flickered onto the retail scene several years ago, so I picked one up to take along on family hikes and boating trips. An inflatable, solar powered light – from a company committed to bringing solar light to people in developing countries around the world? Yes, please!

I must confess, I expected the little light to be more of a novelty to teach my kids about solar power than a piece of highly functional gear. I was completely wrong. It IS a novelty, yes, and darn cute to boot. But I can’t begin to count the uses my family and I have found for it. It hangs easily, offers multiple settings from dim to bright to blinking, and it will light an evening’s worth of activities after just a few hours in the sun. It is legit form and function in an ingenious and intuitive blend.

The Goodness

We at Generous Goods love the mission-driven giving model MPOWERD follows. The company reinvests a majority of their gross revenues to achieve sustainability, grow their reach, and ensure the fulfillment of their mission. When you buy one of their clever, clean solar light products, you help them provide the same products to individuals and communities in developing countries, either as a donation or at a dramatically reduced price.

A little light goes a long way. With over 3 billion people living without access to clean, reliable, or affordable energy, everyday tasks are made more difficult (and dangerous) than they should be. Access to clean energy can improve health, create education equality, and economic empowerment, all the while combating climate change – MPOWERD

MPOWERD also offers a “Give Luci” light ($10) that web customers can add to their carts to make an additional contribution to the mission. Through this program, they have given lights to over 3 million people in 100 countries. That’s a lot of goodness.

More Light to Love

MPOWERD has upgraded their pioneer product (now selling as the Luci Outdoor 2.0), and the new version is even longer lasting (24 hours on a single charge) and more durable. They’ve also expanded their line to include inflatable “candles” that flicker, colored lights that suit any mood, and sweet string lights that bring a portable party. They also just released a task light with a flexible, adjustable arm. We can’t wait to see what’s next from this generous brand. -LB

See more MPOWERD products featured on Generous Goods. 

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The More We Grow,
the More Good We Can Do

In the weeks since launching Generous Goods, we’ve been overwhelmed by your enthusiasm for our mission and your excitement about our collection. We’ve heard from people who are planning their holiday lists, finding Great Things That Give Back™ for themselves and others, and using our directory to shop their values. Our visitors are learning about new generous brands and finding out more about how their favorite brands make an impact.

More than anything, we’ve heard how much you appreciate Generous Goods taking the guesswork out of charitable shopping.

We do the work so you don’t have to.

We get it. Life is nuts. You’d like to purchase from brands that give back, but the research and evaluation of companies and products takes far more time than you have. Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Our team has vetted and cataloged over 400 products from more than 100 brands (and counting!) to make charitable shopping quick, easy and transparent. Shopping with Generous Goods answers questions like:

  • Does this product give back?
  • How does this company support good causes?
  • Where do I buy this product?
  • How can I support these causes myself?

Shop. Sign up. Suggest.

Our directory was developed with you in mind, and we are counting on you to help make it even better. The more we grow, the more good we can do. Here’s how you can help us build our collection and our community:

  • Shop and share products that speak to you on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
  • Sign up  to receive news about new brands and products. 
  • Suggest products that give back for us to feature. 
  • Tell us what else we can do to help you shop for good.
  • Ask us for help finding a specific brand or product. If there’s something you can’t find (a specific product, like an athletic headband or a cause, such as mental health), let us know.

We’re just getting started, and we want our mission to become your mission. Thank you for joining us on our journey and helping us share the goodness. We couldn’t do this without you!

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glassybaby – Giving in Style

I can’t recall when I purchased my first glassybaby votive candleholder, but I do recall the buzz the company created back in the early 2000’s. Their first location was within walking distance of my home in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood. By the time the company opened a retail store at high end University Village shopping center, I already had a small collection.

There’s a glassybaby for That

As they have for so many Seattleites and people around the world, glassbabies became for me the perfect gift or excuse to treat myself. Beautiful to regard and satisfying to hold, glassybabies were also doing good long before social entrepreneurship became popular. With each color bearing a meaningful name, they are a unique and lasting way to share a sentiment. Whether you wish to convey inspiration, courage, sympathy, solidarity or joy, there’s a glassybaby for that.

The Best Gifts – Personal, Meaningful, Purposeful

When my sister, a teen psychologist, opened her solo practice, I got her a translucent sea blue glassybaby called Safe, knowing that’s how her office would feel to her clients. When my second son was born, a friend gave a smoky gray-blue one called Brother. When my stepfather started his cancer treatment, my mother gave all of his children and stepchildren a Day One glassybaby so we could symbolically join in his care. And when he lost his valiant battle, another friend gave me and my mother each a warm red color etched with a heart and entitled, simply, Love. Over the years, I’ve received colors with touching or humorous names ranging from Seattle Sunset to Master of the Universe from people who knew they would make me smile.

When glassybaby expanded their line to include artfully crafted wine “drinkers” that fit perfectly into the palm of your hand, my sister-in-law gave me the first of what became my favorite wine glasses. Now friends request their favorite color when they come over. 

The Goodness

Three time cancer survivor Lee Rhodes founded glassybaby in Seattle in 2001 with the core mission of helping alleviate the struggles of patients who could not afford basic needs during cancer treatment. Since that time, the company has expanded its giving to include a variety of causes and charities, all of which share glassybaby’s mission of hope and healing. $3 from the sale of every glassybaby is donated to the glassybaby Foundation, which makes grants to organizations that align with its mission. Since its inception, the company has given over $10 million to nonprofits around the world that offer hope and healing to patients, children, families, veterans, wildlife, the environment, and more.

One of the Original Great Things That Give Back™

When we were in early planning stages for Generous Goods, glassybaby came up frequently as a brand to feature and a model for socially responsible businesses to follow. By the time we launched, glassybaby had announced hitting $10 million in total giving to date. Together with their supporters, shoppers and loyal fans, the company has been able to make an incredible impact in just 18 years. glassybaby knows how to put on a good (and generous) party, and we can’t wait to see how they celebrate. Even more, we’re excited to see what their next chapter of goodness will bring! – LB

See glassybaby products featured on Generous Goods.

Learn more about the glassybaby Foundation and their mission to fund hope and healing.

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