The Buy One Give One Model

Buy One Give One, Done Right – and How Every Company Can Apply It

The “buy one give one” model is familiar to many, from planting a tree with each purchase of a wooden timepiece to removing ocean trash with every bracelet sold. More businesses today involve their customers in making a positive social impact.

However, this model has faced skepticism, with customers questioning its actual impact and the sincerity of businesses. Fortunately, it has evolved into a sustainable practice that not only benefits businesses and the causes they support but also creates exciting opportunities for innovative partnerships with non-profits.

This Guide Will Explain

• What the buy one give one model looks like today
• How it differs from other giving models
• Why it’s a great way to give through business

What Is the Buy One Give One Model?

At its core, the buy one give one concept is simple: every purchase results in a donation to a chosen community, often in less wealthy regions.

Originally, businesses would donate the same product purchased. For example, TOMS Shoes' “One for One” campaign donated a pair of shoes for every one sold. Over time, concerns arose about dependency and negative effects on local businesses. Today, donations are made with more care, considering the actual needs of recipient communities. The model now supports a wider range of causes, from environmental conservation to animal welfare.

It’s also no longer limited to product-based companies. For instance, businesses can now give a day of clean drinking water for every email sent or offer micro-loans for families with every successful campaign. This flexibility creates endless possibilities for businesses of all sizes to make an impact.

How It Differs from Other Giving Models

There are many ways for businesses to give back, from annual donations to matching gifts. However, these efforts can feel disconnected and often depend on individual employee action.

The buy one give one model stands out because:

1.     It Motivates Sustained Action for Long-Term Impact: Consistent contributions ensure that charities and recipient communities have reliable resources to make meaningful progress.

2.     It Fosters a Culture of Purpose: Each employee's work supports a cause, infusing more meaning into their day-to-day responsibilities and positioning the company as a positive force in the world.

Why the Buy One Give One Model Makes Sense

If your company is undecided about how to give back, the buy one give one model offers a sustainable, impactful approach. It allows businesses - big or small - to give consistently and in a way that grows with them, rather than relying on occasional donations.

In today's market, consumers and employees are drawn to businesses that operate ethically and transparently. Quality and affordability are no longer enough; companies need to demonstrate their commitment to making a positive difference.

Success Stories

These companies have embraced ethical practices and woven social impact into their core business models. Here’s how they’re making a meaningful difference:

1) Eco Power Market

Despite the positive environmental impacts that Eco Power Market is already making through their solar energy business, they decided to take it one step further. By integrating B1G1’s giving model into their daily operations, Eco Power Market extends the benefits of solar power to needy communities all over the world. Whether a customer requests an energy audit or speaks with a consultant, each activity triggers a specific act of giving.

This means that just by going about their everyday activities, they are making great impacts in the world, every single day.

2) Wildflower and Oak

The founder of Wildflower and Oak, a baby clothing company, chose to support a cause close to her heart that aligns with her business values. In partnership with Midwives for Haiti, they provide a clean delivery kit to a mother in Haiti for every baby blanket sold.

Wildflower and Oak also takes pride in its hand-dyed products and strong commitment to ethical practices. They ensure that all partners follow Fair Trade standards, promoting equitable value for both team members and customers.

3) Eat My Lunch (New Zealand)

Eat My Lunch made doing good so easy through something as simple and essential as lunch. This catering company provided a meal to a child in need with every lunch sold. Customers could also buy lunches directly for children, and volunteers helped make the meals every school morning. Despite being permanently closed due to the impact of COVID-19, the initiative had gained such strong support that there was even a waiting list of volunteers.

How to Incorporate Buy-One-Give-One Into Your Business

1.     Decide on the Causes You Want to Support

Discuss with your team which causes resonate the most. Focus on 1-3 key issues that align with your business, such as world hunger or environmental conservation.

Tip: If you have a diverse list of causes, narrow it down by focusing on those that align with your business. For example, if you’re in the food industry, you might focus on issues like world hunger, malnutrition, or reducing food waste).

Ultimately, the key is to choose a cause that resonates most with you and your team.

2.     Independently Seek Out a Credible Organisation to Partner With

Finding a reliable organisation that aligns with your business and whose needs you can support will take some time, but the effort is worth it for the long-term impact you can achieve together.

To narrow down your options, consider setting a list of criteria and characteristics for the organisation you wish to collaborate with.

Here are some criteria to consider:

·       Transparency and accountability: Research the organisation's history, reputation, use of funds, and how they ensure accountability.

·       Regular updates to donors and partners: Look into how the organisation provides updates to ensure it is continuing to make positive impacts.

·       Viability of the minimum giving amount for your business: Ensure that the giving amount fits within your buy-one-give-one model and makes financial sense while still creating an impact.

·       On-the-ground impact tracking: This allows you to track the specific impact you're making with each product sold (e.g., providing a textbook for a child in Cambodia with every item sold).

Also, consider the level of involvement your business wants—whether you plan to be a donor or would like to engage more deeply.

If your team wishes to do more, here are additional factors to consider:

• Are there regular volunteering opportunities?
• Is the organisation open to collaborating and growing beyond a donor-beneficiary relationship?
• What are some ways you can collaborate? Could your business’s professional skills support the organisation’s growth?

3.     Reach Out for More Information

Once you’ve shortlisted 1-3 organisations, reach out to them, explain the type of collaboration you’re seeking, and have a discussion to see if the partnership will be a good fit for both parties.

4.     Or Simply Get Straight to Giving by Working with a Third-Party Organisation

If you're a small business looking for a simplified way to make an impact, you can partner with a third-party organisation like Buy One Give One (B1G1). B1G1 offers a curated ecosystem of vetted charity partners and projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

All charities in B1G1’s network meet a comprehensive set of criteria, undergo a vetting process, and are subject to annual reviews.

Each project is broken down into the smallest unit of impact, encouraging regular giving for long-lasting change. You can begin making an impact through your business with contributions starting as low as 1 cent!

The Sky's the Limit

The Buy One Give One model offers an incredible opportunity for businesses to make a real difference while growing their brand. Once your partnership is established, the possibilities for giving back are endless. Companies have not only expanded their impact by offering pro bono services but have also empowered their customers to take part in choosing the causes they support.

With Buy One Give One’s services, your business can seamlessly integrate giving into its daily operations, guaranteeing that every transaction contributes to a meaningful cause. Whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation, Buy One Give One makes it easy to create lasting social impact while aligning with your business goals. The sky's the limit when it comes to how you can give back—and with Buy One Give One, making a difference has never been simpler.