At Design for Social GOOD we believe we have a responsibility to help other people. We do this by doing GOOD design work for nonprofits around the world, andt we also do GOOD by giving back. This holiday season we want to share some of the GOOD ways you can give back too. Here are five great ways to give back this holiday season.

Gift Cards for GOOD

Be the Change Gifts by MercyCorps
At MercyCorps you can shop for gifts featuring animals, farming, entrepreneurship, sports, emergencies, health, environment, women and children. The process is simple. You chose one of 40 unique gifts, MercyCorps will email a full-color card that explains your gift and you can customize it with a personal message. Your gifts help families turn crises of poverty, conflict or disaster into opportunity. (Photo courtesy of MercyCorps)

MercyCorps MISSION:       Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

Why we think it’s GOOD:  Most of us have more than we could ever need. What better way to give than to give something you love to someone who actually needs it?

Products for GOOD

Toms Shoes
For every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. “Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we’re all about.” (Photo courtesy of TOMS)

TOMS MISSION:     TOMS mission transforms their customers into benefactors, which allows them to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Why we think it’s GOOD:  There are only a few companies whose movement IS their mission. TOMS was founded for the sole purpose of giving back and instead of asking for donations, they created a product to sell that provides funding and a means to give their product away. We think this concept ismore than GOOD. It’s GREAT!

Holiday Cards for GOOD

Cards That Give

Whatever your passion may be, Cards That Give offers a greeting card to fit the need. Proceeds from the sale of the greeting cards directly benefits the associated cause. (Photo courtesy of Cards That Give)

Cards That Give’s MISSION: One woman took the time to build a website to help people find cards that support causes. She did the work, we get the benefit. It’s that simple.

Why we think it’s GOOD: You have a choice. You can buy your greeting cards a major retailers and help them get richer or you can buy them at Cards That Give and change the world. We vote for changing the world!

Loans for GOOD

Kiva Loans That Change Lives

Kiva says it explains it better that we ever could by saying, “What gift do you give someone who has it all? A chance to help someone who doesn’t.” Kiva promotes dignity, accountability and transparency and believes that the poor can be successful when given the opportunity.

Kiva’s MISSION:     Kiva’s mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Why we think it’s GOOD: You know the specific person your giving to, the organization that back the loan and in this hard economic climate, once the loan is paid back, you get your money back!

Green Gifts for GOOD

NRDC Green Gifts
Interested in saving the environment and want to give your friends and family a meaningful gifts? Then got to Green Gifts and help to save wildlife, protect wild places, revive oceans, education kids, fight pollution, encourage green living and less global warming.

NRDC’s MISSION:     NRDC is the nation’s most effective environmental action organization, combining courtroom power, scientific expertise and the grassroots clout of 1.3 million Members and online activists.

Why we think it’s GOOD: Your voice is your strength and there is power in numbers. If the environment is your passion, join the more than 1 million members and activists making a difference.