Above: A Build-Your-Own For Good Box which lets you gift sustainable artisanal goods while giving back to organizations you care about

I’m not degenerating into brain rot speak but this video of a Gen Z-er  from The Daily Show made me happy even if it gives The Daily Show anchor a migraine. I get their business is comedy but the younger generation showed up and showed out and I do not care how they talk about it.

We’ll hear a lot about giving – GIVING – this season and if we’re going to talk about it, let’s talk about some organizations where the gifts you buy will make a positive social and environmental impact.

 Women Owned Directory

The WBENC Women Owned Directory is place to buy from women-owned businesses. They have segmented the directory so you can buy according to your values from Women of Color, Veteran Owned, Ethically Made, and LGBTQ businesses.

From there I’d like to shout out some companies I’ve collaborated with this year:

  • Sugar Bliss: Owned by Teresa Ging, this company is absolutely thriving. Their cookies are made from scratch with all natural ingredients. Their social mission is to create a blissful world for all and donate a portion of the proceeds to support women and minority entrepreneurs, wildlife conservation, and use recyclable packaging.
  • MelanBrand Skin: Founded by a mother and son duo, MelanBrand Skin iss a purpose-driven skincare company dedicated to creating all-natural, non-toxic solutions specifically formulated for young melanated skin. Patrice’s commitment to sustainability and giving back to her community is inspiring.
  • DTOCs :DTOCs makes 100% compostable plates and dinnerware that “will change the way we host”. Owner and Founder Pallavi Pande talked to me and Jared on our podcast, 12PointFive Minutes last year and since then I’ve seen her everywhere (and you can find her products at Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, and others). While it perhaps doesn’t fit into a standard gift, if you’re hosting, you can give your guests the gift of a positive impact on the environment without you having to do a million dishes.

The B Corp Gift Guide

  • Narrative Food: Owned by Jennifer Field Piette, Narrative Food provides a gift box of artisanal goods crafted in Deer Isle Maine AND the opportunity to give back to organizations that support sustainability and sustainable businesses. I know Jennifer and one of those organizations is We the Change, a collective of purpose driven women-owned businesses that I’m a part of. When you buy from Narrative Food, select We the Change as your organization of choice.
  • Turtle Fur: I don’t know this company but these mittens are so cute and made of recycled polyester!
  • Bookshop.org: I use Bookshop.org for buying all my books (except the ones the boys sneak on their kindles). As a certified B Corp, they not only support environmental goals but give back to independent bookstores with every book purchased.  And they are just as easy to buy and gift from as that other online bookselling site.

Buy military owned gift guide

  • Buckeye Gourmet: Owned by Jessica Brown, an Army Veteran and member of the Ohio Artisan Collective, Buckeye Gourmet has fancy olive oil and balsamic vinegars that are a great gift for the people in your life who have everything-up to an including an amazing kitchen
  • Sick Fit Socks: Sick Fit CEO, Paden Sickles is WBENC, NAVOBA, and NMSDC certified –  a trifecta of organizations that I want to buy from. I’m a little obsessed with these socks she developed after completing multiple grueling 12-mile ruck marches during various Army training exercises and school preparations. Make sure they’re not sad to get socks this holiday!
  • Your Custom Fitness: I’m aging myself by letting on how much this Your Custom Fitness Neck Support Pillow intrigues me. Bradely Clarke, CEO and Founder and Certified Fitness Trainer and Corrective Exercise specialist created a headpiece and mat system that gives real support where your body needs it most. Not just padding, but alignment that protects, relieves, and helps you move better, longer, and pain-free.

Is this the end of Corporate Giving?

While we’re on the topic of giving, here’s an article I read which prompted me to give to my local food bank and food security non-profits. If you don’t know yours, mine is Shepherd’s Table.

The gist of the article is that new tax legislation in the B– B——– B—- requires companies to give at least 1% of their taxable income to charity before they can claim any charitable deduction, and this threshold is higher than typical corporate giving rates.

If companies reduced giving by 10.5% to maintain after-tax costs, the total loss could be about $4.6 billion in 2026, making it one of the steepest drops in corporate donations on record  Research shows the provision could result in $4.2 billion in lost giving annually, according to the  Chronicle of Philanthropy

If corporations do, in fact, respond this way our community organizations and NGOs will need our gifts more than ever.

Rest and Reflection

Maybe it’s because my birthday is coming up but this month feels like the New Year for me.  I’m wrapping up some engagements and sending proposals for new ones. In the WPO groups I facilitate we generally do a yearly reflection in November because our December meeting is time to connect and celebrate.

Next month, I’ll put out my annual impact report and see how I did against my goals as I prepare to renew my B Corp certification next year.  In the meantime, I hope for those of you in the U.S. the Thanksgiving holiday provides you time to rest, reflect and restore.