Giving Back For Back-To-School

All children deserve a quality education. However, millions of children both domestically and internationally lack access to a quality education, and even when they do, many cannot afford school supplies. According to UNICEF, the more a struggling family has to purchase educational materials themselves, the less likely the child is to go to school. 

We’ve found 9 brands that give back to students across the world—these school supplies, including lunchboxes, backpacks, pencils, and snacks, help support students of all ages get the best education they can. Let’s make our school shopping count twice this year.


1. Yoobi

Based In | El Segundo, CA
Ethics | Buy one, give one to classrooms across the US
Product Range | School supplies

Millions of students in classrooms across the US don’t have access to basic school supplies, including pencils, crayons, or even a lunch bag. Partnering with the Kids In Need Foundation, Yoobi’s mission is to donate school supplies with each purchase, and so far, they’ve reached over 3.4 million children. Their colorful and creative line of school supplies will add a fun touch to your child’s desk—we love their panda pencil organizer and ice cream swirl pens.

Shop Yoobi School Supplies


2. FRANK

Based In | New Zealand
Ethics | Buy one, give school books to children in need
Product Range | Stationery, pens & pencils

FRANK’s gorgeous line of stationery not only makes our lives easier, but also improves the lives of children across New Zealand. Make a purchase from FRANK and they’ll work with their giving partners to distribute quality educational books—they’ve already supported nearly 50,000 children in need. They offer stationery, lists, planners, diaries, notebooks, and pencils with beautiful patterns and feminine touches. Writing your to-do list has never looked so beautiful.

Shop FRANK Stationery


3. Bright Books

Based In | Uganda
Ethics | Buy one journal, give one solar light
Product Range | Journals

Over 1 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity, and Bright Books wants to change that. By purchasing a pair of their journals, they will donate one solar light to school children and kids living in refugee camps. Their simple and stunning FSC-certified journals are filled with 128 pages to write and doodle whatever your heart desires, including some artistic inspiration from those receiving the solar lights. Whether you’re taking notes, writing to-do lists, or summarizing your day, the Bright Books journal is a great fit.

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4. STATE

Based In | Brooklyn, NY
Ethics | Buy one, give one backpack to a child in need
Product Range | Backpacks

Scot and Jacq Tatelman founded STATE after seeing students bring their belongings home in ripped trash bags. With each purchase of their beautifully designed backpacks or totes, they provide a backpack to youth across the US through their revolutionary ‘Bag Drops’, where they rally students together. Select backpacks are vegan and all are ethically made—STATE is a certified B Corp. Knowing that each of these backpacks are hand-delivered is inspiring enough to make us grab one.

Shop STATE Backpacks


5. Soular

Based In | Canada & Kenya
Ethics | Buy one, give one solar-powered backpacks
Product Range | Backpacks

Soular is dedicated to helping students in East Africa further their education by donating solar-powered backpacks with each purchase. The solar power allows students to study longer in a lighted environment, while simultaneously reducing their family’s household expenses. Simple, modern and ultra-useful, their backpacks will be a staple for years to come.

Shop Soular Backpacks


6. Sydney Paige

Based In | Moraga, CA
Ethics | Buy one, give one
Product Range | Backpacks, lunchboxes, tablet sleeves

Sydney Paige knows that all children deserve a quality education. That’s why for each purchase made, they donate a backpack filled with supplies to a local nonprofit of your choosing. Their backpacks span for little learners in preschool all the way to college students and changemakers. Vibrant and durable, these backpacks are well-worth the investment.

Shop Sydney Paige Backpacks


7. Cheeky

Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Ethics | Buy one, give one meal through No Kid Hungry
Product Range | Lunchboxes, water bottles, modern tableware

Cheeky wants to make mealtime matter again. Their whimsical line of modern tableware including paper goods, lunchboxes, water bottles, and mealtime needs for babies and kids are colorful and well-designed, and are especially loved by little ones. With each purchase, they provide healthy and nutritious meals through their giving partners. If your little one is in need of a lunchbox for back-to-school, we highly recommend their insulated lunch bags.

Shop Cheeky Lunch Boxes


8. Better World Books

Based In | Mishawaka, IN
Ethics | Recycle/reuse books, funding for literacy programs and libraries
Product Range | Books

If you’re a book lover, Better World Books will be your one-stop shop for books new and used. When you buy a book, they donate books to local libraries and fund literacy programs across the US. As a true social enterprise, they’ve re-used or recycled more than 300 million books and raised $27 million for literacy and libraries. They carry everything from textbooks to children’s books, along with audiobooks and DVDs. And they offer free shipping worldwide—it can’t get any easier to do good while shopping for the school year.

Shop Better World Books


9. This Bar Saves Lives

Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Ethics | Buy one, provide life-saving bars
Product Range | Granola Bars

This Bar Saves Lives isn’t kidding when it comes to their name. With each purchase, they provide life-saving bars to children who need it most around the world. They work with giving partners like Feeding America and Action Against Hunger to provide their vital treatment and preventative formulas to thousands of children a year. Their granola bars for kids (aptly titled This Kid Saves Lives) are delicious and nutritious, packed with 14 essential vitamins and nutrients—the perfect afternoon snack that tastes and does good.

Shop This Bar Saves Lives


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