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- Maslow's Purchase for Purpose - Gifting Season 2024
Maslow's Purchase for Purpose - Gifting Season 2024
Purchases with Purpose, spending with impact
Hilary Callaghan
December 10, 2024
In a world driven by transactions, we believe every purchase, book, and media choice holds the power to uplift communities, amplify marginalised voices, and drive social change.
Maslow's Purchase for Purpose is a monthly(ish) newsletter exploring the impact of conscious consumption. We’ll uncover how your choices can spark change—highlighting the psychology of mindful spending, sharing real-world stories, and showing how small actions can create waves of transformation.
Our mission? To turn your wallet, bookshelf, and media playlist into tools for social good. Join us in using consumption for positive change.
PS. No affiliate links or ads here—just places we love. Show your ❤️ by sharing this with a friend or on LinkedIn!
The gift-giving season is here, and we've curated a list of social impact businesses for meaningful presents!
Headed to Sydney? Stay at the Song Hotel + Restaurant, part of YWCA Australia, where profits support women, children, and gender diverse housing programs.
Looking for a Christmas tree? Buy your tree in Glebe and Manly donates 100% of sales to the Glebe Youth Service.
Stay tuned for our Social Impact Reading and Watching list coming soon!
🛒Marketplaces
Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Shop in Melbourne offers locally sourced products by women and non-binary artists. 100% of profits support the Centre’s creative programs. Visit them in store at 210 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria or shop online.
SisterWorks supports refugee, asylum seeker, and migrant women, helping improve confidence and economic outlook. Shop their Christmas gifts, hampers, fashion, and more online.
Purpose Precinct stocks over 70 social enterprises, with a range of products that create meaningful change. Visit them in person at F Sheds, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne VIC 3000 or shop online.
Tip: If you visit in person make sure grab a coffee or sweet treat from Streat to support youth programs.
Global Sisters supports Australian women-led businesses. Find gifts, fashion, home goods, and more online.
The Social Studio offers art, homewares, clothing, and mending services, supporting a variety of social causes. Check them out online.
🧦Clothing
The Social Outfit provides employment and training to people from refugee and new migrant communities via ethical manufacturing studio and retail store. Building skills in a supportive environment and provide first Australian jobs. Women’s Fashion handcrafted in Marrickville NSW you can visit them in their Newtown Store, or buy online.
RREPP’s 100% Fairtrade and Organic cotton products help consumers make more ethical choices that transform the lives of the workers, families and communities who make the clothes we wear, and the sports balls we play with. Browse their street gear here.
HoMie is a Melbourne-based streetwear label and social enterprise. 100% of HoMie’s profits go towards achieving its mission: to support young people affected by homelessness or hardship. Get your streetwear essentials, Reborn (unique upcycled designs), or HoMie x AFL here.
Clothing The Gaps creates merch with a message that sparks conversations. They make clothes that influence social change by uniting people (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) through fashion and a cause. Grab something from the Ally Friendly range here.
Sydney Sock Project - Every pair of socks is tied to a charity. Once a purchase is made, the get to work. I’m already eyeing off the Bin Chicken Socks, to add to my collection, I’ve already got Ovary Socks and Care For Our Country Socks.
Underwear for Humanity uses the money from sales to do the right thing by the community and level the playing field. Their mission is to contribute to a radical system refocus, where humans and the earth are valued over financial paradigms. Find underwear for everyone here.
The Social Outfit provides employment and training to people from refugee and new migrant communities
👩🎨Art
QArt Gallery and Studio is a social enterprise, which provides employment, mentoring and training for professional artists with intellectual and physical disability. Art at evert price point here.
Bearded Dragon Gallery recognised as leaders providing support for people with disability through open employment, personal support, further education and recreation. Buy online or visit the gallery in Adelaide.
🏅Sports
🚴Good Cycles runs a Youth Employment Program uses a work-first approach, offering jobs to people aged 18-28 with real income and regular shifts alongside tailored coaching and support. Browse their Bikes, Cycling Accessories, or if you’re in Melbourne book in a service.
⚽RREPP’s 100% Fairtrade and Organic cotton products help consumers make more ethical choices that transform the lives of the workers, families and communities who make the clothes we wear, and the sports balls we play with. Grab a soccer ball, netball, rugby ball, and many more here.
🏅Classes & Experiences
🐨Wildlife Wonders is a social enterprise, every visitor to Wildlife Wonders becomes part of something bigger – the sale of every ticket helps support the research and conservation efforts which are vital for protecting nature and wildlife. Plan your trip here.
🍴Free to Feed is a social enterprise creating empowering employment opportunities for people seeking asylum and refugees through the creation of shared food experiences. If you’re in Melbourne you can book cooking classes from many cuisines including Iraqi, Eritrean, Ukrainian, Persian, Sri Lankan and many more here.
💐Flowers & Hampers
The Beautiful Bunch is a Melbourne-based floral delivery service bringing joy through flowers and creating jobs for women from refugee backgrounds. Buy a bunch here.
Miei Fiori’s profits are invested in programs that are dedicated and designed to help local people, community and planet. Browse the gorgeous Flowers, Plants, Terrariums, and Hampers here.
🧴Bath, Body + Skincare
LoveLuvo was created by Westgate Community Initiatives Group to provide sustainable, paid employment opportunities for people who experience barriers to finding a job, giving an opportunity to build skills and confidence in a supportive work environment. Shop here.
Mettle Women is a national gift delivery service employing women who are experiencing homelessness due to domestic and family violence. We equip survivors of domestic and family violence with the skills, confidence, and financial security required to secure and maintain employment and in turn, safe and stable housing. Buy here.
Unlabelled 100% of profits from unlabelled go towards resourcing the following organisations whose work is so vital in helping prevent you suicide. Shop here.
Yaye proudly support Yipirinya School. An incredible two-way bilingual and bi-cultural school that teaches Indigenous Language and Culture in conjunction with the Australian curriculum. Every dollar raised helps to support the vital work of this unique educational facility in the heart of Australia. Browse here.
🍽️Food, Drinks & Treats
🍷Goodwill Wine 50% of profits to the charity of our customer's choice. Since opening Goodwill Wines has donated over $537,679 to Australian Charities. Browse their wines here.
🍫Chocolate On Purpose is 100% Aboriginal owned & managed social enterprise supporting People, Planet, Equity. Grab a block, or two here.
👩🌾Cana Farm is a social enterprise nurturing dignity, hope & belonging. They offer skill-building opportunities for those facing employment barriers. Check our their Fresh Produce, Candles, Hampers and Pantry Products here.
🏠House, Home & Garden
Shokunin Store is an online Japanese artisan goods store, founded by a husband and wife team, united by a shared appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship. Shop their gorgeous products here.
Kenshi Candles makes Life Changing Candles, every candle is not only funding pasta, but is also providing a job for the Chin community in Melbourne. Check out their Candles and Diffusers here.
Whale Craft Knife from Shokunin Store