During a trip to Argentina, Blake Mycoskie witnessed up close that children did not attend school because they had no money for shoes. He decided to change that with a new business. In 2006, he founded TOMS. The name stands for Tomorrow's Shoes and is supposed to provide a better future through shoes. He called the business model One for One® and guaranteed that for every pair of shoes sold, one pair would be donated to children in need.
Meanwhile, with the help of more than 40 aid organisations in over 70 countries, TOMS has helped many children on their way to school, education and a future. But that's not all, TOMS has now launched more products to help children and young people in need. TOMS Eyewear and TOMS Roasting Co are also initiatives to create opportunities. In numbers, this means 86 million pairs of shoes given out, 600,000 eye surgeries to help children see again, and over 600,000 weeks of water reliably provided to communities around the world.
TOMS Giving Project
The new business model of TOMS
At the end of February 2019, TOMS announced a further development of its business model. The One for One Giving program will continue, but there will also be collaborations with non-profit organizations that promote empowerment for women and address the problem of increasing homelessness.
Together against gun violence and homelessness
In November 2018, TOMS donated 5 million US dollars to organizations whose goal it is to end armed violence in America. TOMS also appealed to send 700,000 postcards with similar content to members of the US Congress.
In March 2019 an art show started with the hairdresser Joshua Coombes in cooperation with Light & Noise and local homeless organisations. The aim is to draw attention to the growing homelessness of European cities.
TOMS supports social entrepreneurs and women in need
To strengthen empowerment for women, Ella Grace Denton will lead a series of women's circles in London and Manchester in April 2019 to create places of security and refuge.
Together with Sara Nuru and Ashoka Germany, TOMS organizes a conference for social entrepreneurship in May 2019 near Berlin. In this way, the next generation of social entrepreneurs will be supported.
The company TOMS is certified with the B-Corporation® label. This certificate is awarded only to brands that meet the highest environmental, transparency and accountability standards.
If you would like to do some good now as well and are just looking for a new pair of shoes, have a look at our shop and check out the new collection from TOMS.
