What’s better than giving a thoughtful gift to someone you love? Knowing that your gift is helping and supporting others at the same time. These six gifts that you can find locally do just that — when one of them is purchased, that company donates proceeds or gives the same item to people in need. Giving back is always a worthy endeavor, and these gifts help you do that.
Bronze Sculpture by Jennifer Troice
Local artist Jennifer Troice is the queen of bronze. She’s created thousands of pieces, ranging from small whimsical hands and figures to intricate animals to statement pieces in public parks. No matter the inspiration, her stunning geometric sculptures make excellent gifts — and Troice donates a portion of all sales to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, so your gift supports a good cause, too. jennifertroice.com.
Warby Parker
The trendy glasses and sunglasses brand isn’t a local company, but there are several stores in the Dallas area, which means buying a new pair of stylish tortoise shell or mod blue frames as a gift is a no-brainer. And when you buy a pair for your family member or friend, you give a pair to someone in the world who needs glasses but can’t afford them — part of Warby Parker’s Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program that has helped people see and live better in more than 50 countries. warbyparker.com.
Café Momentum
Café Momentum, a restaurant in downtown Dallas, doesn’t just donate money or items. Their entire mission since opening in 2015 is about giving back to the local community. Chad Houser founded the restaurant as a way to employ and give justice-involved youth coming out of juvenile detention a healthy and productive outlet where they can be equipped with “life skills, education, and employment opportunities to help them achieve their full potential.” When you buy a gift card to Café Momentum or a gift item from the retail store, you’re helping transform lives and your community. cafemomentum.org.
prAna at Whole Earth Provision Co.
For some brands, giving back is a way of life, woven into their DNA. That’s the case for sustainable clothing company prAna, which aims to positively impact the environment, climate, worker conditions, and more through ethical practices and social responsibility. Mockingbird mainstay Whole Earth Provision Co. carries a variety of prAna items for men and women like hats, scarves, and jackets, all perfect for the outdoors-lover in your life. Gifting prAna lets you give back to the environment. prana.com, wholeearthprovision.com.
Union Coffee
Dallas is teeming with great coffee shops, but not all of them donate a portion of their sales to local nonprofits — but Union Coffee in Uptown does. The nonprofits Union has helped since 2012 include North Texas Food Bank, Capes 4 Kids, North Texas Tornado Relief, Mustang Heroes, and more. The coffee shop also donates thousands of dollars to help Dallas’ homeless community. When you buy your coffee-loving friend a Union gift card, you’re not only giving the gift of delicious coffee — you’re giving Dallasites in need a second chance. uniondallas.org.
Cotopaxi at AJ Vagabonds
Cotopaxi makes bright, colorful outdoor gear and apparel that’s as cheerful as it is functional. But the company also gives a percentage of its annual revenue to its foundation, which works to help alleviate global poverty, as well as awards grants — 42 to date — to poverty-focused nonprofits. Boutique AJ Vagabonds in Bishop Arts carries Cotopaxi backpacks, so gifting one of these beautifully streamlined packs means you’re also helping break the poverty cycle, one adventure at a time. cotopaxi.com, ajvagabonds.com.
