Asha Veza
69 Fifth Ave., nr. St. Mark’s Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-783-2742
The proceeds of each item sold at Asha Veza fund programs that teach sewing to women who are victims of trafficking or poverty. Find distinctive patchwork-stitched wool skirts and intricately embroidered coats (like this cropped swing jacket, $385).
Jack Spade
56 Greene St., nr Broome St.; 212-625-1820
Sales from this reversible Superhero Coal bag ($195) benefit Dave Eggers’s nonprofit writing center, 826NYC. Available in black and blue or khaki and orange, one side is decked with superhero gear—masks, antimatter, etc.—and the other features nine-to-five staples like an iPod and MetroCard.
Oakley
113 Prince St., nr. Greene St.; 212-673-7700
The sporty eyewear brand will donate $20 to various charities for each pair of six new styles sold. The special-edition sunglasses range from yellow Half Jacket frames benefiting the Livestrong Foundation to the sleek Oakley Ravishing style ($135) benefiting breast-cancer nonprofit group the Young Survivor Coalition.
Kiehl’s Since 1851
109 Third Ave., at 13th St.; 212-677-3171
December proceeds from a limited-edition version of Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 ($8.50), touting a symbolic red ribbon in honor of World AIDS Day, go toward the nonprofit group YouthAIDS. In addition, 100 percent of proceeds from the Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser ($16.50) will be donated to JPF Eco Systems, Brad Pitt’s pet project supporting environmentally friendly design.
Urban Zen
705 Greenwich St., nr. W. 10th St.; 212-206-3999
Ten percent of sales at Donna Karan’s serene boutique are donated to the Urban Zen Foundation, a public charity that teams up with hospitals like Beth Israel to promote patient advocacy. The luxe offerings range from an ivory cashmere looped scarf (right, $995) to striking images from photographers like Dana Matthews.
La Tiendita
56 E. 1st St., nr. First Ave.; 212-982-1633
The nonprofit Lower Eastside Girls Club runs this gift shop promising “fair trade and girl made.” This season, proceeds from these stuffed reindeer ($25) go toward the club’s sister program in Chiapas, Mexico. (The club also runs the Sweet Things Bake Shop, which is offering decorated tins full of snowflake-shaped and gingerbread cookies.)
Rugby Ralph Lauren
99 University Pl., nr. 12th St.; 212-677-1895
Half the sales from each of these limited-edition cotton jerseys ($95) will benefit Ralph Lauren’s Match Rugby Fund, a new program created to bestow grants on young social entrepreneurs. The Match program also teamed up with the FEED Foundation to create a burlap and canvas tote ($100). Half the proceeds of each tote will go toward the U.N. World Food Program.
ABC Carpet & Home
888 Broadway, at 19th St.; 212-473-3000
ABC is focusing on Africa this season, offering jewelry, home furnishings (like this woven wire bowl, $45), tableware, and accessories from Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and beyond. Five percent of the proceeds from the gifts will be donated to three charities that provide support services and educational programs for women in Africa: V-Day, the Batonga Foundation, and Green Belt Movement.
TOMS Shoes at Kaight
83 Orchard St., nr. Broome St.; 212-680-5630
Socially conscious footwear company TOMS hand-delivers a pair of shoes to an underprivileged child in Argentina, South Africa, Ethiopia, and the U.S. for every pair sold, including their new glitter flats ($48). This month, the company is aiming to donate 30,000 pairs to children in Ethiopia in 30 days.
Ikea
1 Beard St., nr. Otsego St., Red Hook, Brooklyn; 718-246-4532
Through Christmas Eve, Ikea will donate one euro to UNICEF and Save the Children’s educational programs for every soft toy purchased ($1.49 to $19.99). The programs will benefit fourteen developing countries around the world.
Housing Works
Various locations
Thrift-store chain Housing Works saves some of its best merchandise for the holiday season, unearthing recent finds like a Valentino column dress for $130, an embroidered Roberto Cavalli dress (right, $175), and coats from D&G for $200. All proceeds are donated to their non-profit foundation, which provides support and services to homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS.