In an email that went out to Hazel & Rose‘s newsletter subscribers yesterday, owner Emma Olson announced she would be donating 10 percent of all sales from the sustainable-fashion boutique this week to the ACLU, both in-store and online. It was followed by a heartfelt message: “These past few weeks have been exceptionally challenging as I try to balance my passion and job while reacting to what’s happening around me. My business education keeps telling me not to make this personal, but it’s too important. I wish I could be at every town hall meeting, every rally, every march, but I cannot (since I’m in the shop almost every day). So here is something I can do.”
Olson isn’t alone. In the wake of current events, other members of the Twin Cities creative community are looking for ways to give back via their small businesses. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, Minneapolis photographer Sara Montour is donating 100 percent of proceeds of all personal photo sessions, taken in front of a “wall of love” backdrop created by local illustrator Lisa Troutman of Drawn Well, to ACLU or Take Action Minnesota. “This wall started as a simple backdrop for some photo sessions that I was doing, but has expanded into so much more, taking on a life of its own, in light of our current political climate here in the United States,” Montour explains on her blog. (Learn how to book a session at saramontourportraits.com.) Recently, the owner of South Minneapolis women’s clothing and home shop Mille, Michelle LeBlanc, also launched a campaign to donate a portion of store sales to Planned Parenthood and Circle of Health.
Crystal quinn’s “Anarchy Is Female” tee, Courtesy crystalquinn.com
More Minnesota makers and brands donating proceeds this week to social causes:
- From Thursday, Feb. 2 through Sunday, Feb. 5, Ciel Loft & Home is donating 10 percent of sales to anti-sex-trafficking organization Source Inc. to raise money to fight the human trafficking that typically takes place around Super Bowl host cities.
- The safety pin has recently taken on a new meaning as a sign of solidarity, inclusion, and support for immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized people. Late last year, local jewelry designer Anne Lenhardt Koebele of Hardt Jewelry released a sterling-silver safety pin pendant necklace, donating 10 percent of proceeds to the Minnesota-based American Refugee Committee. This week, she’s additionally donating 10 percent of proceeds of all jewelry designs at hardt-jewelry.com.
- This week, all proceeds from sales on products by Minneapolis artist Crystal Quinn, including her iconic “Anarchy Is Female” tee, will go directly to the ACLU; next week, proceeds will go to The Washington Post @ crystalquinn.com
- Floral studio Munster Rose has launched a “Send Some Love” campaign, in which 10 percent of floral sales for Valentine’s orders will be donated to Second Harvest Heartland, now through February 14, via munsterrose.com or order directly at info@munsterrose.com.
- Lauren Neal of Neal Jewelry has extended the brand’s end-of-season sale online through February 5 and will donate 10 percent of all proceeds to the ACLU. nealjewelry.com
- Minneapolis-baed, feminist hand-painted clothing label Bolii is donating $5 from every sale to Planned Parenthood. boliimpls.com
- Musician Katy Vernon has been knitting hats and donating the proceeds to ACLU, already raising $350 in one week. She’s taking orders via Instagram at instagram.com/londonkaty.
- Minnesota organic skincare brand BAM Essentials is donating 50 percent of net sales at bamessentials.org this week to the ACLU. The do-good company also provides social enterprise training for young disadvantaged women year-round.
- Printerette Press created a “terrific” letterpress card with proceeds supporting ACLU, available at printerettepress.etsy.com.
- Uptown boutique Showroom is donating 100 percent of proceeds from Women’s March merchandise. 615 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, 612-345-7391
- Minneapolis artist Teagan White will be releasing one art print per day this week to raise funds for civil rights & activist organizations at teaganwhite.bigcartel.com.
- St. Paul painter Alex Kuno is donating 20 percent of sales to ACLU through February, via alexkunoartwork.etsy.com.
- 20 percent of gallery sales from artist Paige Dansinger‘s Mpls Center for Digital Art will go to Domestic Abuse Project MN. 40 S. Seventh St. #102, Minneapolis, mplsdigitalart.com
- Artist Jake Keeler will be offering his work for 20 percent off, with 100 percent of the revenue going to environmental causes, from February 1-28. Use coupon code “GET20GIVE100” at jakekeeler.etsy.com.
- Show your support for your neighbors with an “All Are Welcome Here” yard sign, available locally at Pacifier stores. Proceeds benefit the ACLU. Available @ Pacifier’s 4 Twin Cities locations and pacifier.me
Some local brands selling products year-round with proceeds going to social causes:
- Uptown store My Sister sells its own line of tees that raise awareness of sex trafficking and raise money for anti-trafficking organizations, year-round. 1616 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, 612-400-1194, and mysister.org.
- Help fight climate change by shopping from Askov Finlayson‘s line of “North” products, including its iconic “North” hat. The store donates a portion of sales to climate-change nonprofit Climate Generation. 204 N. First St., Minneapolis, 612-206-3925, askovfinlayson.com
- The American Refugee Committee’s annual Maker’s Collection features handcrafted goods by local makers such as Hackwith Design House and Willful, with 100 percent of the profits going to the nonprofit’s programs worldwide. shopmakers.org
If your business is donating to a good cause this week and wish to be added to this list, please send an email to jpeloquin@mnmo.com.
While many donations are going to ACLU, consider making a donation to front-line community groups that have fewer resources. A partial list: CAIR, Arab American Association of NY, DRUM NYC, Make the Road, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Mijente, CUNY CLEAR, Muslim Advocate, Sikh Coalition, Muslim ARC, National Partnership for New Americans, New York Immigration Coalition, Detention Watch Network, Families for Freedom, AALDEF, Dream Defenders, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, MPower Change, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, South Asian Americans Leading Together, United We Dream, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and National Network of Arab American Communities.
