Bombas — Co-founders Randy Goldberg and David Heath learned socks are the most-requested item at homeless shelters, and built a one-for-one donation model around that single fact: one pair donated for every pair sold. Goldberg's reasoning for the model was partly about simplicity — a one-for-one story is easy for customers to grasp and repeat. The company later engineered a specific donation-sock design (reinforced, darker color, antimicrobial) after talking directly with their distribution partners about what unhoused recipients actually needed — treating their non-paying recipients as real customers worth researching. His biggest lesson: treat the giving mission as central, not a side project, and "over-communicate" about it authentically, showing your work rather than just claiming credit.
State Bags — Founder Scot Tatelman started a camp for underprivileged kids, then noticed campers arriving with garbage bags instead of real luggage — leading him to found State Bags on a similar one-for-one model (buy a diaper bag or weekender, a kid gets a backpack). After COVID disrupted the in-person camp model, Tatelman shifted from a rigid one-for-one structure toward flexible support based on what communities actually needed at the time — tutoring, media campaigns on tough topics, and travel opportunities. His core philosophy: listen first, act after, and stay "real" rather than chasing a polished narrative.
Upside Goods Co. — Founder Ashley Fathergill started making candles as a personal coping mechanism during a difficult pandemic period, eventually turning it into a business that donates a percentage of profits (not a fixed one-for-one match) to mental health causes, including the Trevor Project. Her philosophy is notably different from the other two: rather than an aggressive giving structure, she prioritizes sustainability over maximalism — "just giving is good," without sacrificing the business's long-term survival for bigger short-term donations.
Social Sharing Buttons: Please share this article using the buttons below.
Support the Mission
Shared Harvest Granola is a mission-driven social enterprise dedicated to fighting hunger. One Bag Purchased. Three Meals Donated.
Contact
Please share any comments or questions;
Email: bruce@sharedharvestgranola.com
Website: www.sharedharvestgranola.com
© 2026 Shared Harvest Granola. All rights reserved