Not only have hate crimes against the Asian community risen by more than 1,900 percent in New York City since the pandemic started, but there has been a massive spike in racist attacks in just the past few weeks. Those looking to financially support folks and communities targeted by this racism can do so in many ways, one of which is donating to funds and organizations that promise to do just that. (We have an ever-growing list of 68 such funds and organizations you can donate to.) Another way to help is to shop a bit more consciously by patronizing businesses or brands that are donating proceeds back into Asian and Asian American communities. Here, we’ve rounded up a bunch of things — from graphic tees to tote bags to skin-care — from brands that are donating most of (if not all) proceeds from sales of the products to AAPI organizations. We’ll be regularly updating this list, so be sure to check back. If you do see something that speaks to you, know that certain limited-edition items are going fast.
Until April 15, Kinn Studio — one of our favorite start-up jewelry brands — will be donating 10 percent of proceeds to AAPI Women Lead and Stop AAPI Hate. These earrings would make an excellent gift, too, if you’re not looking to treat yourself right now.
Korean-American brand Haerfest produced this T-shirt with the message “nothing changes if nothing changes.” For the first production run of the shirt, which is available for preorder now, 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to Stop AAPI Hate. This shirt also comes in white, as well as sweatshirt and hat form.
Evolvetogether makes some of our favorite disposable (matte-black) face masks. For each purchase of this 30-pack of its We Stand Together face mask, the brand will donate a portion of the proceeds to Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the ACLU.
Gender-neutral-clothing brand JACQ is donating 10 percent of its net proceeds to Stop AAPI Hate for the entire month of April. Anything on its site qualifies, but we’re particularly drawn to this perfectly slouchy pullover in olive.
We featured these zodiac-inspired prints by artist Naomi Otsu in our roundup of Asian- and Asian American–made wall art. For every one purchased, the artist will donate 15 percent of proceeds to the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Otsu only made 50 prints for each sign, many of which have already sold out. But you can still snag this Sagittarius print and the Aquarius print, both of which would make great gifts if you’re not shopping for yourself.
Material Kitchen’s cutting board sold out three times when it first launched. Right now, the brand is donating the proceeds from sales of two colorways — a sleek tan called “To Pó-Po With Love” and the hunter green “Reimagine Justice” shown here — to a couple organizations. Fifty percent of profits will go toward Heart of Dinner and Drive Change (the latter of which, while not an AAPI specific organization, does good nonetheless). In addition to donating profits from sales of the two cutting boards, through March 31, the brand is also giving 50 percent of proceeds from sales of its new “Dine” collection to #HateIsAVirus.
The #NYTougherThanEver initiative, created by Phillip Lim and Ruba Abu-Nimah, sells a selection of Zizmorecore-esque clothes and accessories in addition to this key chain. According to the founders, “100 percent of net proceeds” from all sales will be donated to” GoFundMe’s AAPI Community fund.
Made in Chinatown’s entire website is devoted to merchandise that benefits various small businesses. The proceeds for this sweatshirt will go directly to Chinatown restaurant Cha Chan Tang, but check out the rest of its goods to see the other businesses you can support, from Eggloo to Grand Tea Imports.
NYC Chinatown staple Pearl River Mart collaborated with grassroots organization Welcome to Chinatown on an entire collection. All the proceeds earned go directly to helping Chinatown businesses hurt by the pandemic. If this tote bag doesn’t speak to you, there are also mugs, T-shirts, glasses, posters, pins, and more to choose from.
Until April 10, Singaporean Chinese–owned brand Hey Maeve will donate 100 percent of all proceeds from this pair of gold-plated earrings to AAPI Women Lead. The earrings are made from 18k gold-plated brass with a faux pearl dangling off the hoop for a soft but sophisticated look.
Proceeds from Phenomenal Media’s “Phenomenally Asian” collection will go toward the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. It’s currently only available for preorder, with shirts shipping the week of April 12, according to the brand.
Y2K-inspired jewelry brand BONBONWHIMS, which was founded by Chinese immigrant Clare Ngai, makes monthly donations to various AAPI organizations, such as SendChinatownLove, StopAAPI Hate, Heart for Dinner, and AALDEF. While it doesn’t specify how much of its proceeds go toward these donations, everything on its website qualifies, so you can take your pick of its nostalgic jewelry.
Yes, even boob tape can give back. Nue is donating a portion of all proceeds from sales of its “A Boob Job in a Box” tape to the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum.
This phone case from Strategist-favorite brand Poketo is from a collection of cases made by Asian or Asian American artists and brands that Casetify put together. If you don’t like it, there are plenty more options for iPhones and Androids to consider. All proceeds from sales of the collection will go toward Stop AAPI Hate.
For its Lunar New Year collection, New York–based brand Alumni created four shirts — two short-sleeve tees and two-long sleeve tees — inspired by “cultural and traditional Chinese beliefs.” All proceeds will go toward Chinese-American Planning Council, which is the nation’s largest Asian American nonprofit organization.
Oral-hygiene brand Huppy makes toothpaste tablets it says are more sustainable than your traditional tube. Through May, it is donating 5 percent of all proceeds from sales of the tablets to AAPI Women Lead.
Uprisers created a limited collection of T-shirts, sweatshirts, masks, and more to support the Hate Is a Virus fund, which mobilizes the Asian community to fight against racism they’re continuously facing. Proceeds from all sales will go toward the fund, but you better order quickly, because the collection is selling out.
Vans’s “Foot the Bill” initiative invites small businesses to design a custom pair of Vans Old Skool sneakers and promises to give all profits from each design back to the business itself. In addition to these shoes, the brand worked with New York City’s beloved Nom Wah Tea Parlor on a (less expensive) T-shirt that also features the restaurant’s logo.
Brooklyn-based illustrator Leanne Gan is selling handmade prints to raise money for local NYC Chinatown restaurant Spicy Village, which has struggled through the pandemic. If you DM her your receipt of an order (over $20) from the restaurant, she’ll send you a print. If you want to skip the meal, you can buy the print directly from her (and she’ll donate the proceeds to the restaurant).
Designer Kae Linh handcrafted a selection of crocheted hats for her brand MŨ, with 50 percent of all proceeds going towards Heart of Dinner. While they’re sold out at the moment, a spring collection will be out on April 1, according to her.
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