Whether it's making a donation in the name of a loved one, or purchasing a product that shares a portion of its proceeds in support of a cause, these top 100 charity trends in 2017 are sure to inspire the consumer to give, while encouraging brands to participate in acts of social good.
Charities are beginning to adapt to modern marketing techniques, and are making their initiatives social media friendly, in order to appeal to a younger generation of consumers. For example, a new Internet browser extension called 'Troll Tax' enables an individual to make a donation to a progressive charity, every time they come across a hateful social media post. Also featured in this list, is an app called 'Atlas Run' which makes a donation to charity for every mile an athlete runs.
Charities are also raising awareness for causes by offering individuals an experience, in exchange for a donation. In doing so, individuals are more inclined to support a cause, as they get a memorable experience, while doing something good. A notable example of this is Toronto's pop-up HIV-positive eatery, in which foodies were asked to donate $125, in exchange for an elaborate meal cooked by an HIV-positive chef.
Top 100 Charity Trends of 2017
100
Pop-Up Lemonade Stores
Herschel Supply's Pop-Up Lemonade Stand Supports Arts Education
99
Comical Cheese Billboards
Babybel's Billboard for Food Comes Wrapped with Funny Jokes
98
Charitable Snack Zones
CVS's 'Snacks That Give Back' All Provide Donations for Charities
97
Charitable Toy-Building Campaigns
LEGO's 'Build to Give' Supports Kids in Hospitals
96
Pet Housing Pop-Ups
Blue Cross Created an Estate Agency to Help Animals Find Homes
95
Charitable Artist-Designed Tees
Virgil Abloh and Jenny Holzer's Shirts Support Planned Parenthood
94
Philanthropic Puberty Campaigns
Celebs are Posting Awkward Teenage Photos for Puerto Rico Relief
93
Endangered Animal Sculptures
Artist Patrick Cabral Makes Paper Animal Sculptures for Charity
92
Contactless Donation Benches
These 'Smart Benches' Offer a Unique Way to Donate to Cancer Research
91
Endangered Animal Valentine's Cards
'Ugly and Forgotten' Swaps Cards for Donations to Charities
90
Charitable Prom Dress Campaigns
Macy's 'Say Yes to the Prom' Initiative Helps Underserved Students
89
Charitable Political Toilet Papers
Some of the Proceeds from Trump Paper Will Go To a Good Cause
88
HIV-Fighting Smartphones
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition are Charitable
87
Charitable Workshop Offices
The Non-Profit WiNGS' Office Has a "Space Within a Space" Design
86
Charitable Political Ales
Northern Maverick Brewing's 'Fake News Ale' Uses a Donald Trump Cartoon
85
Mental Health Cafes
Marks & Spencer's Unique Cafes Encourage Discussions on Mental Wellness
84
Eco-Friendly Charitable Yoga Mats
Gypsea Yoga Goods Aims to Contribute to Coral Reef Conservation
83
Charitable Broken Billboard Campaigns
22squared is Attempting to Inspire Hope After Hurricane Irma
82
Card-Accepting Homeless Coats
This Jacket for Homeless is a Local Solution for Accepting Donations
81
Charitable Ethiopian Fashion Collections
Joe Fresh x lemlem Features Designs by Liya Kebede
80
Charitable Sandwich Initiatives
Subway is Declaring a World Sandwich Day for Charitable Reasons
79
Pop-Up Philanthropic Bars
Toronto's 'PhilanthroPub' Donates 100% of Proceeds to Local Charities
78
Automated Donation Keychains
bPay's Keychain Key Rings Make Contactless Donations to UK Charities
77
Charitable Bamboo Sunglasses
Amevie's Stylish Bamboo Sunglasses Help Children in Need
76
Interactive Awareness Websites
A New UNHCR Site Answers Questions About the Syrian Refugee Crisis
75
Back-to-School Charity Pop-Ups
A Charity in Detroit Sought to Give Kids Back-to-School Clothes
74
Christmas Dinner Burgers
'The Solita Christmas Burger' is Packed with the Components of a Feast
73
Bet-Fueled Fitness Apps
The Boost App Gives Users a Financial Incentive for Hitting Health Goals
72
Charitable Beach Towels
Sand Cloud Towels Donates 10 Percent of Profits to Preserving Marine Life
71
Contactless Donation Cars
This Hyundai Car Makes Instant Donations to Stand Up To Cancer
70
Activist-Friendly Hotels
The Eaton Hotel Caters to Those Looking to Create Social Change
69
Homeless Locker Programs
Transitioning Homeless People Can Use This Storage Locker Initiative
68
Emoji-Based Meal Campaigns
EmojiMeals Uses Emoji Meals to Feed Real Children in Need
67
Charitable Intergenerational Vacations
'Me to We Family' Curates Travel Opportunities for All Ages
66
Charitable Hearing Aid Nonprofits
'Ears On' Provides Children in Need with Recycled Hearing Aids
65
Artist-Run Interfaith Pop-Ups
Miranda July is Opening a Secondhand Shop in Selfridges
64
Disney-Themed Charitable Cosmetics
Kiehl's Holiday Collection Features a Famous Disney Character
63
Charitable Pop-Up Wedding Chapels
The Drake Hotel Will Help Eight Couples Tie the Knot
62
Charitable Reflective Jackets
ADIFF Offers Reversible Jackets for Socially Conscious Consumers
61
Charitable Grocery Initiatives
'The Free Store' Redistributes Supermarket Surplus to Those in Need
60
Charitable Halal Cosmetics
PHB Ethical Beauty Aims to Become an Not-for-Profit Organization
59
Charitable Smoothie Subscriptions
Freshstax Offers Prepped Foods for Health Conscious Consumers
58
HIV-Positive Eatery Campaigns
Casey House and Chef Matt Basile Joined Together to Break Stigma
57
Charitable Non-Dairy Beverages
Cups of Kindness Was Launched with the Help of Lady Gaga
56
Seamless Donation Apps
The 'Give One' Donation Platform Makes It Easier to Donate to Charity
55
Charitable Cancer-Fighting Screwdrivers
'Screw Cancer' Donates Money to Cancer Organizations
54
Charitable VR Christmas Pop-Ups
Marks and Spencer Created an Immersive Experience with a Shelter
53
Charitable Office-Based Fight Clubs
The Breast Cancer Fight Club is Located in an Office Lobby
52
Holiday Toy-Testing Pop-Ups
intu's Toy Testing Lab Has Kids Help Santa's Elves
51
Charity Crowdfunding Fitness Apps
The 'Sentiv' App Pays Users or Charities for Working Out
50
Charitable Presidential Lollipops
Proceeds from the 'Trump Sucks' Treats Go to Planned Parenthood
49
Charitable Wedding Dress Platforms
'Brides Do Good' Allows Women to Buy Pre-owned Wedding Gowns
48
Gamified Donation Posters
Surf Life Saving's Posters Intrigue Donors with an Arcade-Style Activity
47
Endearing Pain Relief Packaging
The B+B Medication Brand Aims to Stand Out on Shelves
46
Hateful Comment-Based Donations
Troll Tax Turns Hateful Social Media Conversations into Donations
45
Gamified Marathon Events
'The Gaming Marathon' by Samsung is a Real-Life Race Game
44
Food Bank Fridge Initiatives
Tesco Has Launched a Charitable Venture Called 'The Community Chill'
43
Charitable Running Apps
'atlasGO' Raises Money for Every Mile Run by Users
42
Socialite Eyewear Collections
Khloe Kardashian’s Koko Sunglasses Line Offers Colorful Aviators
41
Sadness-Combating Campaigns
Ray of Sunshine Has an Uplifting Campaign to Raise Funds for Sick Kids
40
Charitable Candy Chews
Jelly Belly's Sport Beans Boost Energy While Supporting a Good Cause
39
Pride-Celebrating Bath Bombs
Consonant Skincare's Rainbow Bath Bomb Supports an LGBTQ+ Charity
38
Charitable Tiger Rums
'Wild Tiger Rum' Features Bold, Tiger-Striped Packaging
37
Ultra-Pigmented Charitable Lipsticks
All Profits from 'Kiss My Pink' Go Towards Planned Parenthood
36
Charitable Tea Companies
Rakkasan Tea Offers High Quality, Charitable Products
35
Support Volunteer Apps
'Honour' is an App for Connecting Active Volunteers and NGOs
34
Charitable Literacy-Improving Campaigns
American Apparel Partnered with Pencils of Promise
33
Charitable Ice Cream Events
Purchases of Dairy Queen Blizzards Help the Children’s Miracle Network
32
Social Good Gift Registries
'Small Token' Encourages Event Attendees to Contribute to a Good Cause
31
Social Justice-Benefiting Ice Creams
The Ben & Jerry's One Sweet World Ice Cream is Empowering
30
Symbolic Rental Charity Campaigns
Arriba Mexico Collects Funds for Mexico Earthquake Victims
29
Video-Based Lipstick Campaigns
NYX's 'Luv Out Loud' Donated $10,000 in This Social Media Challenge
28
Charitable Wedding Registries
Give:Tendr Encourages Newly Weds' Guests to Donate to a Good Cause
27
Charitable Chip Brands
Deep River Snacks Donates 10 Percent of Profits to Charities
26
Efficient Charity Donation Buttons
This Save the Children Donation Button Aims to Engage Youth
25
Contactless Donation Units
DONATE's 'tap+ DONATE' Boxes Easily Connects Cashless Donations
24
Charitable Video Game Marathons
Extra Life Toronto Hosted an Event to Raise Funds for Sick Kids
23
Charitable Heart-Tracking Apps
Heart for Heart Analyzes User Data to Improve Screening Technology
22
Charitable Gingerbread Cookie Kits
This Kit Benefits the Always Strive and Prosper Foundation
21
Charitable Dating App Campaigns
Bumble Was Used to Raise $50,000 for a Planned Parenthood Donation
20
Charitable Sandwich Campaigns
Subway's 'Live Feed' Supported Local Hunger Relief Charities
19
Kid-Focused Donation Platforms
This Giving Platform Encourages Children to Help Others in Need
18
Charitable Fast Food Campaigns
Burger King's 'All Hands on Flavor' Lends a Hand to Those in Need
17
Charitable Gift-Giving Platforms
The Good Beginning Helps Couples Donate Their Registry to Charity
16
Child Mother Awareness Campaigns
Free the Children's Child Mother's Day Campaign Encourages Giving
15
Streamlined Volunteer Platforms
'thyme' Creates Volunteer Schedules for Events of All Sizes
14
Charitable Wine Tours
Dustin Wilson Joins Napa Valley's Fire Relief Efforts with Exclusive Events
13
In-App Birthday Updates
Facebook Birthday Tools Help Users Get Creative with Their Posts
12
Charity-Supporting Social Platforms
Legitifi's Charitiable Program Prompts Users to Give Back
11
Video-Based Charity Platforms
The DonorSee App Provides Video Updates After Donations are Made
10
Charitable Menu Readings
Neil Gaiman Agreed to Read the Cheesecake Factory Menu to Aid Refugees
9
Lookalike Doll Competitions
Lottie Dolls is Now Creating Toys 'Inspired by Real Kids'
8
Charitable Coffee Subscription Services
Javabox Coffee Club is Both Affordable and High Quality
7
Headline-Based Donation Plugins
The 'Buoy Up' Chrome Extension Helps Users Donate to Worthy Causes
6
Donut Ice Creams
Ben & Jerry's is Honoring Phish With a New Flavor Called 'Freezer Reprise'
5
Beholden Blood Donation Apps
This App Helps Patients Connect With Lifesaving Blood Donors
4
Developer-Funding Platforms
Code Sponsor Funds Open Source Projects With Sponsored Advertising
3
Charitable School Buildings
This School in Lesotho Was a Gift from China to the Country
2
Privilege-Dispersing Initiatives
Resource Generation Encourages Charity Among Wealthy Millennials
1
Charitable Rewards Initiatives
Virgin Mobile's REGeneration Program Raises Funds for a Good Cause
Related Ideas
Multi-Sensory Tech Showcases
Google's 'Curiosity Rooms' Offer Hands-On Interaction with Its Tech
Pop-Up Holiday Catering
Fidel Gastro's and Lisa Marie Bring Delicious Food to Toronto Events
Private Airplane Cabins
Singapore Airlines Introduced Private In-Flight Cabins
Kid-Curated Toy Collections
Asda's Christmas Toy Range Features 100 Playthings Chosen by Kids
Lakeside Micro Cabins
The Nisser Micro Cabin is Covered in a Blond Timber Facade
Wrapped Cat Plushies
Hashtag Collectibles' Purritos Come Wrapped in Foil Like Burritos
Festive Pastry-Wrapped Cauliflowers
Tesco's 'Turmeric Spiced Cauliflower Wellington' is Vegan
Influential Designer T-Shirt Campaigns
These Retro T-Shirts by Modern Man Pay Homage to Designers
Artful Coffee Rebranding
Taylors of Harrogate's New Brand Identity Features Illustrated Landscapes
Enveloping Private Escape Chairs
'The Planet' Chair Offers a Space for One to Escape
Ergonomic Camping Mattresses
The OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Sleeping Pads Provides Optimal Support
Artful Sandwich Ingredient Campaigns
Subway's Minimalist Branding Campaign Turned Food into Art
Interactive Nightclub Installations
Virgil Abloh's Interactive Club Installation is in London
Charitable Snack Zones
CVS's 'Snacks That Give Back' All Provide Donations for Charities
Realistic Engagement Ring Platforms
Sparkly Lets Brides-To-Be Look for Engagement Ring Inspiration
Charitable Toy-Building Campaigns
LEGO's 'Build to Give' Supports Kids in Hospitals
Immersive Hotel Activations
This Recent Pop-Up Event Helped Celebrate the Launch of W Shanghai
Wireless Programming Toys
The Cubroid Coding Blocks Teach Through Building and Play
Progressive Public Transit
This Autonomous Bus Concept is Accommodating, Adaptable and Efficient
Minimalist Statement Streetwear
The New Fall/Winter OFF-WHITE Collection Boasts Bold Branding
Smartphone-Shot Bridal Magazines
Weddingbells Created a Cover and Editorial Using Just an iPhone
In-Store Holiday Parties
Walmart Will Be Hosting In-Store Parties This Holiday Season
Bomb-Branded Hot Sauces
The General's Hot Sauce Correlates Itself to an Explosion of Spicy Heat
Connected Cruise Ship Wearables
Carnival’s Regal Princess is Offering a More Personal Experience
Designer Lime Green Work Boots
These Bright Green Timberlands Were Designed by Virgil Abloh
Ethical Beauty Baubles
Bloomtown's Festive Baubles are Filled with Eco Beauty Goods
Floral Binder Clip Bags
This Compact Bag from OFF-WHITE Comes in Two Different Sizes
Innovative Infusion Pumps
The Portable IV System Relies on Pressure for Accurate Administration
Charitable Sandwich Initiatives
Subway is Declaring a World Sandwich Day for Charitable Reasons
Luxe Bridal Tracksuits
Vetements' Take on the Bridal Gown Fuses Streetwear with Elegance
Superfood-Infused Hot Elixirs
The Project Juice Adaptogen Lattes Help Awaken the Mind and Body
Pop-Up Philanthropic Bars
Toronto's 'PhilanthroPub' Donates 100% of Proceeds to Local Charities
Limited-Edition Holiday Tree Drinks
The Starbucks Christmas Tree Frappuccino is Festive
Bike-Friendly Apartment Complexes
Sweden's Cykelhust Complex Was Designed for Bikers
Building Block Drone Kits
The Force Flyers DIY Fly n Drive Building Block Drone is Customizable
Home-Attachment Concept Vehicles
Tokyo Connected Lab's 'LeMobi' Can Dock to One's Home
Spiritual Face Cleansers
Remix's Spirit Cleanse Face Wash Was Inspired by Cleansing the "Shen"
Spicy Fried Macaroni Snacks
The Burger King Flamin' Hot Mac n' Cheetos are Creamy and Cheesy
Festive Juice Packaging
JUS' Holiday Packaging Collection Embraces Seasonal Icons
Memory-Powered Tannenbaums
The Marie Curie Charity is Creating a Social Media-Connected Tree
Expressive Logo Editorials
The Ones 2 Watch 'Trade Mark' Series Spotlights Bold Streetwear
Exclusive Sneaker Pop-Ups
This Nike x Off White Activation Offers Limited Edition Styles
Christmas Dinner Burgers
'The Solita Christmas Burger' is Packed with the Components of a Feast
Avocado Toast Ornaments
Sur La Table's Brunch-Themed Glass Tree Ornament Was Made for Millennials
Anti-Inflammatory Tinctures
Naturopathica's Muscle & Joint Tincture Can Be Added to Drinks
City-Themed Makeup Palettes
NYX's New City Set Palettes Come in a Range of Themes
Traditionally Inspired Boutique Hotels
The Newly Opened VUE Hotel is Located in Beijing
LEGO Vacation Home Campaigns
Airbnb and LEGO House are Sending One Family to a LEGO-Made Home
Cost-Effective Delivery Platforms
onPony Allows Travelers to Deliver Items for a Profit
Dual-Colored Dessert Cones
foodora and iHalo Created a Two-Colored Halloween Ice Cream
Activist-Friendly Hotels
The Eaton Hotel Caters to Those Looking to Create Social Change
Colorful Christmas Burgers
MeatUp's Burger Kitchen Pop-Up Offers Colourfully Customizable Eats
Plant-Based Fast Food Offerings
TGI Friday's is Adding Beyond Meat's Vegan Burger to Its Menus
Team-Specific AR Basketball Games
The 'NBA AR' App Lets Users Practice Their Shot Anywhere
Relieving Cannabis Sprays
Apothecanna's Relieving Body Spray Targets "Severe Pain and Discomfort"
Stocking Stuffer Makeup Sets
ColorPop Created Festive Cosmetic Sets That are Ready for Gifting
Trackable Organic Peanut Butters
'Good Spread' is Fighting Global Malnutrition With MANA
Secretive Deal Travel Apps
'Secret Travel' Offers Up to 80% Discounts on Airfare
Designer Tour Merch Collaborations
Virgil Abloh Designed Kid Cudi's 'Mr. Rager' Tour Merchandise
Rideshare Drive-In Theaters
Uber Invited Its Drivers to an Uber Pop-Up Drive-In Theater
Blackened Bun Chicken Burgers
The McDonald's Singapore Ninja Chicken Burger Features Nanban Sauce
Revamped Luxury Art Hotels
Stockholm's At Six Hotel is in a Former Bank Headquarters
Disney-Themed Charitable Cosmetics
Kiehl's Holiday Collection Features a Famous Disney Character
Direct-to-Consumer Bridal Dresses
Anomalie Wedding Dresses are Cutting the Costs for Brides
Creepy Clown Burger Campaigns
Burger King's 'Scary Clown Night' is Giving Away Free 'Whoppers'
All-Cheese Burgers
Hungry House Created a Limited-Edition Burger Crafted Entirely from Cheese
Biker-Inspired Leather Jackets
The Jimmy Choo and Off-White Jacket is Available in White and Black
Designer Halloween Sweater Giveaways
The Halloween Off-White Crew Necks are Free In-Store
Pizza Chain Baby Registries
Domino's and Gugu Guru are Helping You Pick Baby Registry Essentials
Humanoid Hotel Employees
The 'Pepper' Bot is a New Staff Member at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas
Cheese Wheel Wedding Cakes
The Fine Cheese Co. Makes Cheese Wedding Cakes for Special Occasions
Collaborative Code-Breaking Games
Mattessons Created 'Code Strike' as a Call of Duty Challenge
Curated Hotel Room Locations
This Unconventional Hotel Provides Different Rooms in Separate Places
Feline Tree Adornments
Urban Outfitters Cat Christmas Ornaments Mimic Plush Toys
Floral Wedding Party Kits
Bridesign's Wedding-in-a-Box Provides Corsages, Bouquets and More
Food Bank Fridge Initiatives
Tesco Has Launched a Charitable Venture Called 'The Community Chill'
Charitable Running Apps
'atlasGO' Raises Money for Every Mile Run by Users
Dessert-Flavored Chewing Gums
The Project 7 Dessert Pack Donates to Worthy Causes
Earthquake-Resistant Building Materials
The Eco-Friendly Ductile Cementitious Composite is Sturdy
Grip-Enhancing Hand Creams
The FrictionLabs Secret Stuff Chalk Cream Dries and Cleans Hands
Online Framing Services
Fine Art America’s Online Mail & Frame Service Makes Custom Framing Easy
LEGO Architecture Films
BBC's 'Lego - The Building Blocks of Architecture' is a Doc on the Blocks
Skincare Sleep Powders
The Beauty Chef's SLEEP Inner Beauty Powder Calms with Herbs and Spices
Clear Skincare Creams
The Super Aqua Ultra Water-Full Clear Cream is Completely Transparent
Muscle Injury Creams
RockTape's 'RockSauce' Can Be Used with Its Kinesiology Tape
Acne-Targeting Bandages
A’PIEU's Madecassoside Needle Spot Patch is Filled with Healing Medicine
Penalizing Fitness Apps
The Fitbit-Connected 'Lazy Jar' Keeps Users Accountable on Fitness Goals
Charitable Literacy-Improving Campaigns
American Apparel Partnered with Pencils of Promise
Vacation Incentive Loyalty Programs
Consumers Can Earn Air Miles with Groupon's Loyalty Program
Premium Smoked Chicken Sandwiches
The Subway Australia Smokin’ Mesquite Chicken Sandwich is Savory
Social Justice-Benefiting Ice Creams
The Ben & Jerry's One Sweet World Ice Cream is Empowering
Preoperative Image Rendering Tools
Stanford Medicine's VR Tool Offers a 3D Model of Medical Scans
Symbolic Rental Charity Campaigns
Arriba Mexico Collects Funds for Mexico Earthquake Victims
AR Tree-Positioning Apps
The IKEA Place App Helps Consumers Perfectly Place Their Christmas Tree
Balling Chip Promotions
The DirkWich Program is a Partnership Between Dirk Nowitzki and Which Wich
Charitable Chip Brands
Deep River Snacks Donates 10 Percent of Profits to Charities
Celebratory Bean Bus Tours
Heinz is Celebrating 50 Years of Its Slogan with an Experiential Tour
3D Printer Backpacks
Naomi Wu Crafted a Wearable 3D Printer from a Modified Baby Carrier
Forward-Thinking Furniture Ads
IKEA's Wonderful World Commercial Shows the Diversity of Canada
Carrot-Centric Christmas Ads
ALDI's Christmas Ad Continues Last Year's Story of Kevin the Carrot
Quirky Male Grooming Subscriptions
Ustraa Takes a More Humorous Approach to Male Grooming
Plant-Based Collagen Creams
Algenist's Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream Boosts Elasticity and Radiance
BLT Burger Remixes
The McDonald Big Mac BLT is Available in Australia
Imaginative Unboxing Ads
LEGO's Shake Up Imagination Ad Plays on the Idea of Shaking Holiday Gifts
Passport-Purchasing Promotions
Quantas Will Buy Americans a Passport If They Travel to Australia
Charitable Wine Tours
Dustin Wilson Joins Napa Valley's Fire Relief Efforts with Exclusive Events
Holiday Burger Bar Kits
Red Robin Has a Special Turkey Burger Bar Promotion for Friendsgiving
Soothing Topical Creams
Deep Blue Rub is a Topical Cream Enriched with Essential Oils
Classroom-Connecting Video Chats
KIND's 'Empatico' Connects Classrooms from Around the World
Festive Mascot Ads
Toys 'R' Us' Ad for Christmas Introduces "Geoffrey the Part-Time Reindeer"
Historic Scottish Gin Tours
The Glasgow Distillery Company is Offering Tours of its Gin Breweries
VR Speech Training Apps
VirtualSpeech Puts Users in Realistic Public Speaking Scenarios
Action-Packed Christmas Ads
Argos' Christmas Ad Highlights Its Rapid Same-Day Delivery Service
Storybook Bear Christmas Campaigns
Marks & Spencer’s #LoveTheBear Stars Santa and Paddington
Self-Parenting Insurance Ads
Progressive's 'Parentamorphosis' Has Adults Turn into Their Parents
Butter Block Holiday Trees
Lurpak Created a Public Christmas Tree from 500 Butter Packages
Branded Slider Stuffing
White Castle's Turkey Stuffing Recipe Involves a Dozen Tiny Burgers