20 special gifts that give back to great causes. | Holiday Gift Guide + Giving Tuesday

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 viol…

We've rounded up our favorite Giving Tuesday gifts for 2023.
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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Purchase the National Parks brass French Press and support our country's national parks with your purchase.

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)   Kind Coffee is a new blend with body and mind benefits, and gives back to Kindness. org making it a great gift for the altruist (and coffee drinker)

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.) Gifts that give back:Send RPG Super Coffee to a troop member in the military 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)  

Giving Tuesday: Support mental health research and social justice initiatives with the hand gestures necklaces from GLDN"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's classic Mamuye leather tote: An all-time favorite gift that gives back to women in need

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) Support women's organizations this Giving Tuesday with a purchase of Une Femme sparkling wine.

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)

Hanukkah gifts for kids: Modern Tzedakah box featuring the pomegranate and tree of life, with proceeds supporting the ACLU 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 confidence pillows from Crate & Kids support Project I Am's mission.

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

For Giving Tuesday, Bombas Pixar socks help support families experiencing homelessness Gifts that give back: Bombas Slipper Socks

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) PNW animal demi mugs for Giving Tuesday are a gift that supports native artists.

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) Giving Tuesday "When there are nine" crewneck supporting ACLU Women's Rights Project

"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)   Help employ women with a purchase of a gift box from Women's Bean Project for Giving Tuesday

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) "Embrace uncertainty" - engraved on a bracelet from Presently Jewelry, which is actively addressing anxiety and mental health issues

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)   Global Goods felt toys support working women in Nepal.

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 sparkling Brut from One Hope Wines gives 10% to a charity of your choice

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)   Support Habitat for Humanity on Giving Tuesday with the purchase of a Conscious Step cinnamon beeswax candle.

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)   Williams Sonoma's celebrity designed spatulas support No Kid Hungry for Giving Tuesday

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) This Giving Tuesday, pick up bars of Hand in Hand bar soap which donates a bar for every one purchased.

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)   Support treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury this Giving Tuesday with a Simon Pearce ornament.

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

Cool Mom Picks
Giving Tuesday: Support mental health research and social justice initiatives with the hand gestures necklaces from GLDN
Giving Tuesday "When there are nine" crewneck supporting ACLU Women's Rights Project
For Giving Tuesday, Bombas Pixar socks help support families experiencing homelessness
Help employ women with a purchase of a gift box from Women's Bean Project for Giving Tuesday
Mamuye leather tote giving back to women in need: on sale at Able
Mamuye tote from Able is a great mother-in-law gift that gives back in beautiful ways
Global Goods felt toys support working women in Nepal.
Purchase the National Parks brass French Press and support our country's national parks with your purchase.
Support Habitat for Humanity on Giving Tuesday with the purchase of a Conscious Step cinnamon beeswax candle.
This Giving Tuesday, pick up bars of Hand in Hand bar soap which donates a bar for every one purchased.
Don't Wait to be Great confidence pillows from Crate & Kids support Project I Am's mission.
Support treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury this Giving Tuesday with a Simon Pearce ornament.
PNW animal demi mugs for Giving Tuesday are a gift that supports native artists.
Support women's organizations this Giving Tuesday with a purchase of Une Femme sparkling wine.
ABLE's classic Mamuye leather tote: An all-time favorite gift that gives back to women in need
Gifts that give back: Bombas Slipper Socks
Kind Coffee is a new blend with body and mind benefits, and gives back to Kindness. org making it a great gift for the altruist (and coffee drinker)
Gifts that give back:Send RPG Super Coffee to a troop member in the military

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