This collection of social businesses for youth spans giving consideration to young people as both a means and an end. For instance, GeboMana sends a child to school for every t-shirt that's sold. And the Global Block Foundation focuses on personal sustainability for marginalized black youth. Investing in youth through charity or empowering services is the name of the game for the social entrepreneurs featured here.
It's an overused saying that "youth are the leaders of tomorrow," because, sometimes, youth are the leaders of today. From socially aware street wear to safe neon clothing and cuddly comfort donations, this SocialBusiness.org top list of social businesses for youth will give you something to think about whether you're a young person, have kids or simply care about what's going on in the world around you.
32 Social Businesses for Youth
From Hip-Hop Social Enterprises to Education-Giving T-Shirts:
Tiana Reid — Feb 12, 2012 — Social Good
32
Empowerment Jewelry
SWAK X Educates and Employs Young Adults with HIV/AIDS
31
Reforestation Fashion
Rain Tees Have Illustrations from Kids in Endangered Rainforests
30
Hip-Hop Social Enterprises
The Global Block Foundation Promotes Personal Sustainability
29
Socially Aware Streetwear
Ed's Threds Supports the Nettlefold Foundation to Prevent Youth Suicide
28
One for One Blankets
The Company Store Gives Comforters to Homeless Children
27
Empowering Crochet
Fair Trade 'Pebble' Baby Line Employs Women in Bangladesh
26
Youthful Entrepreneur Projects
'Social Enterprise Africa' Trains Ethical Changemakers
25
Buy Shoes, Give Back
When You Purchase 'TWINS for Peace' You Give a Pair to a Child in Need
24
Education Springboards
Juma Ventures Helps Youth in California Enter College
23
Embedded Generosity Frocks
Whitten Grey Gives Away One Dress for Every Dress Bought
22
1 for 1 Snacks
Each KUTOA Health Bar Also Buys a Nutrient Pack for a Child in Need
21
Baby Subscription Services
Good Karma Clothing for Kids Encourages Collaborative Consumption
20
Hand-Washing for Haiti
When You Buy 'SoapBox Soaps' They Give Bars to Children in Need
19
1 for 1 Toothbrushes
When You Buy From Smile Squared, They Give to a Child in Need
18
One-for-One Prenatal Vitamins
Build Nutrition Tackles Malnutrition in the Majority World
17
Fair-Trade Pet Playthings
Dog Head Chew Toy is Made of Wool by Crafters in Nepal
16
Mission-Driven Kids' Foods
Nest Collective Makes Healthy Options More Accessible
15
Enterprising Confidence Workshops
UK-Based Street Style Surgery Runs Creative Programs for Youth
14
At-Risk Teen Tees
Tees at Risk Sells Original Works from Troubled Teenagers
13
Youth-Oriented Finances
MyBnk Teaches Money Management and Entrepreneurial Skills
12
One-for-One Multivitamins
Life Equals is Partnered with Vitamin Angels to Fight Undernutrition
11
Street Youth Enterprises
SYJA Helps Vancouver's Young Homeless People Find Jobs
10
Cuddly Comfort Donations
Happy Blankie is a One-for-One Business Giving Children Something Soft
9
Benevolent Babe Threads
For Every Onesie Bought 'Baby Teresa' Gives One to a Child in Need
8
Mind-Altering Social Enterprises
Positive Intentions Works for the People by Working with Them
7
Empowering Childcare Networks
Cool2Care Matches Personal Assistants with Disabled Children
6
Education-Giving T-Shirts
GeboMana Sends a Child to School for 2 Months for Every Shirt Sold
5
Multivitamins for Purpose
A Bottle of Vitamma Gives 2 Years of Nutrition to 3 Kids
4
For-Profit Social Ventures
The TOMS Shoes Movement Creates Customer-Philanthropists
3
Safe Neon Clothing
BrightKidz is a Social Enterprise That Sells High Visibility Designs
2
Stigma-Stopping Initiatives
The SOS Gangs Project Guides Ex-Offenders Through Resettlement
1
Change-Making Communities
Ashoka's Youth Venture Empowers Young People to Promote Positivity
Related Ideas
Sustainable Streetwear Store Interiors
Snarkitecture Embraces Recycled Materials for This Store
Social e-Commerce Platforms
Hoppn Creates "A New Type of Centralized Online Shopping Experience"
Gen Z-Focused Fashion Labels
The 'MIXT' Label Caters to Youthful Fashion-Forward Indian Consumers
Injustice-Fighting Cannabis Companies
Ben's Best Blnz Advocates for the Black Cannabis Community
Uplifting Gen Z Fashion
Boohoo & Pantone Created a Collection for Mental Health Awareness Month
Buddhist-Themed Utilitarian Streetwear
maharishi's New Capsule is Inspired by Buddhism & Halloween
Eco-Friendly Bath Essentials
Bebo Seeks to Reimagine the Packaging of Kid's Bath Products
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
Purposeful Empowering Apparel
Living Life on Purpose: Connecting with Customers through Clothing
Playful Entrepreneurial Metaverses
e.l.f. UP! on Roblox Helps Gen Z & Gen Alpha Build Skills
Fashion Career-Inspired Shirts
SUNNEI Unveils a Job-Focused T-Shirt Capsule for Spring/Summer 2023
90s Youth-Inspired Fashion Collections
Tommy Jeans Draws Inspiration from Hip Hop & Street Culture
Gen Z Crafting Events
Red Heart Hosted an Exclusive "Crafternoon" in NYC
Streetwear Experimental Kids Capsules
The Ksubi 'Kids' Collection Arrives Ahead of the Holidays
Local Community-Supporting Partnerships
The NFL and the Shoe Surgeon Launch Youth Activations
Age-Inclusive Collaborative Streetwear
LL Bean Joins Forces with BEAMS on a Capsule for SS23
Incentivized Recycling Hoodies
The SIXR ‘For Tomorrow’ Hoodie Rewards Consumers for Recycling
Gen Alpha Fitness Influencers
ASICS' Little Reminders Inspires Adults to Make Movement Joyful
Creative-Focused Sportswear Campaigns
adidas Celebrates Creativity with Ama Qamata and Dee Koala
Empathy-Building Play Programs
The Barbie School of Friendship Helps Kids Develop Social Skills
Kid-Designed Sculptural Furniture
Art Gallery Galerie Philia Engages Children with Design-Thinking
Vegan Sportswear Pop-Ups
Hylo Athletics' Pop-Up at Harrods Includes a Recycling Component
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Talent-Focused Creative Capsules
Swarovski Debuts a Collaboration with Dover Street Market Paris
Experiential Social Clubs
Marshalls' Good Stuff Social Club Empowers & Connects Women
Gen Alpha Creativity Workshops
The LEGO Group Launched Free Creativity Workshops for Ages 6-12
Social Commerce Apps
GIST is an App-Based Social Platform for Sharing Purchases with Friends
Co-Branded Collaboration Fashion Products
The Wasted Youth x G-SHOCK Collection is Laidback
Creative Side Hustle Platforms
The 'Rassa' Platform Helps Users with Creative Ventures
STEM Holiday Shops
CircuitMess' Holiday Gift Shop Has Presents That Teach Coding & Creative Design
Charitable Limited-Edition Leggings
Splits59 & The Goods Mart Create the "Do Good" Leggings
Reimagined Sustainable Menswear
22Ahead Has Relaunched Its Eco-Friendly Menswear With New Benefits
Charitable Loungewear Sets
Boys Lie Sought to Empower the LGBTQ+ Community During Pride Month
Social Commerce Platforms
21 Buttons is a Social Fashion Shopping Network
Sustainable Fashion Search Engines
This Tool Helps American Consumers Access Eco-Friendly Apparel
Ultra-Stylish Tween Clothing Collections
Hayden Girls Offers a Diverse Range of Tween Clothing
Affordable Gen Z Apparel
Foundry by Cover Story Clothing Enters the Fashion Scene Through AJIO
Integrated Influencer Marketing Platforms
SocialTalk Helps Users Discover, Track, and Connect
Forest-Protecting Fashion Brand Initiatives
Canopy Leads an Initiative So Save the Forests
Retro Printed Casual Apparel
BLACK COMME des GARÇONS Joins Nike on a New Graphic Capsule
Modern Consignment Programs
GotStyle Recently Launched a New Consignment Program
Experiential Shopping Platforms
sune Shares a Fun and Engaging Way for Gen Z to Shop
Charity-Supporting Chunky Shoes
Joe Freshgoods 'Performance Art' Supports Various Organizations
Wasteful Shopping Billboards
Not On The High Street's Billboards Highlight a "Don't Gift Guide"
Youth Activist Skincare Packs
The Body Shop is Removing Barriers for First-Time Voters in the US
Digital Fashion Designer Incubators
The SYKY Collective Represents the Future of Luxury Fashion
Expansive Graphic-Detailed Streetwear
Drama Call Presents its New Collection for the Season
Rapper-Starred Streetwear Campaigns
Loyle Carner Stars in New Always Do What You Should Do Series
Young Professional Community Apps
Yuppie Helps Gen Z and Millennials Connect with One Another
Rapper-Backed Fashion Capsules
Soulja Boy Releases a Fashion Collection with Sprayground
Charitable Cross-Cultural T-Shirts
MAMA's NIGHTMARKET Joins KIDS OF IMMIGRANTS on a T-Shirt
Abstract Artful Spring Streetwear
Hyo Isak Presents its New Range of Apparel for the SS23 Season
Youth-Focused Social Campaigns
Claire’s Introduces a New Gen Z-Alpha Platform Called 'The Collab'
Subversive Boundary-Pushing Streetwear
THUG CLUB Continues to Define South Korean Streetwear
Gamified Custom Kidswear
Supermix Studio Empowers Kids to Create Their Own Apparel & Accessories
Community-Honoring Graphic T-Shirts
AELIZA Joins New Currency on a Collaborative Tee
Social Good Hats
The Home Depot Canada Foundation is Releasing a New Social Good Hat
Ethical Alternative Search Engines
'Take Care' Helps Consumers find Companies Focused on Ethics
Gen Z Sustainability Initiatives
Puma's Voices of a RE:GENERATION is a Project with Changemakers
AR Secondhand Shops
American Eagle Outfitters' RE/AE Shop Spotlights Sustainable Goods
Refreshed Streetwear Collections
Billionaire Boys Club Goes Back to Its Roots for Spring 2023
Gen Z Budgeting Platforms
Buddy and Klarna Teamed Up to Support Gen Z Financial Health
Vibrantly Designed Spring Apparel
Yardsale Presents its Latest Collection for Spring 2023
Teen Positivity Apps
'Gas' is a Positivity-Focused Social Media Platform for Teens
Collaborative Dynamic Streetwear
Soho Yacht Club Joins Forces with Limo Boyz on Soho Limo Club
Engaging Youth-Focused Platforms
V&A Introduces the Mused Website for Gen Z Digital Natives
Visionary Youth Platforms
The Collab by Claire's Celebrates and Activates Gen Zalpha Creators
Charitable Graphic Luxury T-Shirts
Demna Gvasalia Releases a New Special Tee with UNITED24
Sporty Gen Alpha Footwear
The HOKA Youth Collection Supports the Next Generation of Athletes
Gen Z Streetwear Brands
'HOS Wear' Prioritizes Individuality and Self-Expression with its Clothing
90s-Inspired Tween Fashion
John Lewis' New Collection Will Outfit Gen Alpha
Loneliness-Combating Social Campaigns
Hinge Launches the New One More Hour Campaign and Fund
Planet-Friendly Organic Clothing
Toby Tiger Offers Ethical and Affordable Kids Clothing for All
Mental Health Community Engagement
OOt Social Health Recently Launched Its Application
Sleek Kid-Oriented Apparel
Authentic Brands Group Partners with Kidz Concepts for Aéropostale Kids
Human Candle Campaigns
These Human Statues of Candle Wax Bring Attention to Youth Burnout
Jazz-Inspired Apparel Collections
The National Jazz Museum and Book Works Launching Tee Collection
Pro-Bono Charitable Graphic Tees
American Red Cross Drops the Collaborative Drop for Drop Series
Anniversary-Honoring Graphic T-Shirts
Places+Faces Launch Collaboration Tees for 10 Years
Social Good Kids Jackets
RUDSAK Supports Breakfast Club of Canada with Kids' Collection Profits
Mezcal-Inspired Charitable Merch Collections
Dos Hombres Mezcal Highlights Its Winter Line
Women-Supporting Clothing Brands
'Sozy' Aims to Support Women and Victims of Violence
Small Business Investment Initiatives
'aeXea Capital' is Investing in Baby Boomer-Founded Brands
Sustainable Kids Apparel
Kidly Debuts a New Eco Denim Collection for Toddlers and School-Age Kids
Wellness-Focused Demure Apparel
Crop Shop Boutique Launches New Wellness Collection for Fall
Game-Inspired Sustainable Streetwear
Broken Planet Unveils it new Space Trails Collection
Youth-Focused Lightweight Shoes
On Launches its First Footwear Collection for Active Youith
Community-Driven Clothing Companies
'Bombas' Makes a Donation for Each Item Purchased
B2B eCommerce Retailer Platforms
Walmart Business Streamlines Access to Essentials
Online Sustainable Fashion Toolkits
Fashion Takes Action Features an Important Resource
Experiential Gift Registries
Nabu is a Gift Registry Platform to Give Kids Memorable Experiences
Youth Art Campaigns
Sun Bum Taps Into the Gen Alpha Market with an Innovative Art Contest
Peer-to-Peer Conversation Campaigns
JOYBA's Real Tea, Real Talk Supports Mental Health in Youth
Companionship-Focused Startups
'Papa' Launched 'Papa Pals' to Connect Elderly People with Students
Gen Z-Focused Hotel Campaigns
Hyatt Recruits College Athlete Jalin Hyatt to Attract Gen Z
Individualism-Focused Apparel Capsules
Gap Debuts a Collection with The Brooklyn Circus
Summer-Inspired Co-Branded Collections
Soho Yacht Club Joins Forces with the Emerging Limo Boyz
Child Protection Partnerships
Balenciaga Announces Work with the National Children's Alliance
Tween-Friendly Apparel Capsules
John Lewis Debuts its First Tween Fashion Collection for Ages 7-12
Youth Intern Social Stunts
Louis Vuitton Hires a 13 Year Old Intern After Sketches Went Viral
Youth Culture Telecom Campaigns
Deutsche Telekom's Summer Campaign Connects with Gen Z
Africa-Themed STEM Crafts
Teni & Tayo Offers a Subscription Box of STEM Crafts Inspired by Africa
School-Influenced Spring Fashion
TOMBOGO's For The Truant & The Fluent Series Readies for SS23
Entrepreneurial Mentorship platforms
GrowthMentor Connects Individuals for 1:1 Support
Equity-Focused Cannabis Companies
Vic Mensa Launches a New Cannabis Brand Called 93 Boyz
Social E-Commerce Platforms
TikTok is Launching a New E-Commerce Platform for Consumers
Financial Literacy Platforms
Secret U Supports Gen Z Women with Free Tools for Financial Success
Stylish Rapper-Backed Merchandise
NBA Youngboy Debuts a New Capsule with Westside Merchandising
Music Culture-Honoring Graphic Tees
Patta's Dance T-Shirt Celebrates the UK's Music Culture
Social Good Pajama Donations
Petit Lem and WCK Team up to Support Families Affected by Cancer
Social Good Hoodies
Brunette the Label x Mamas for Mamas Join Forces in a New Collaboration
Influencer Marketing Agencies
NYMA Embraces Influencer Marketing as a Part of its Core Offerings
Activism-Focused Apparel Capsules
Aéropostale and Global Citizen Launch a New Apparel Collection
Celeb-Backed Advocacy Agencies
Pharrell Launches Progressive Creative Agency Called 'Mighty Dream'
Child President Campaigns
The Tech Interactive Launches "President for a Day" Contest with Zigazoo
Social Good Ski Initiatives
Christy Sports Launched the Nordica Unleashed Outreach
Luxurious Spring-Ready Streetwear
AMBUSH Presents a Look at its New Collection for SS24
Supportive Entrepreneurial Communities
The Zenpreneur Community Provides Resources and Support
Society-Reflective Spring Fashion
YONGHAO XIE Presents Into a Better World for the SS23 Season
Professional Community Platforms
LinkedIn is Targeting Gen Z Professionals with its New Campaign
Inclusive Gaming Programs
Xbox Wants Black Youth to Find Careers in Gaming Through Project Amplify
Hispanic-Focused Business Opportunities
PepsiCo Unveils the Newest Greenhouse Accelerator Program
Virtual Self-Expression Summits
göt2b's Virtual Metaverse Experience Uplifts Millennials & Gen Z
Slogan-Detailed Graphic Tee Capsules
Soho Yacht Club Suggests to Do Something Nice Today
Greek Life-Supporting Collections
Reebok Launches the 'Yard Love' Apparel Collection
Curated Multi-Label Platforms
Unbound Group Debuts a Multi-Brand Platform for 55+ Consumers
Circular Luxury Clubs
'More' Supports More Conscious Shopping and More Accessible Luxury
Student-Focused Esports Deals
Generation Esports Partners with Nintendo for Middle School Esports
Landscape-Inspired Vibrant Sweaters
Cold Picnic Delivers Sweaters with the Affection Collection
Children-Supporting Trust Initiatives
The Children who Trust Again Campaign Supports Abuse Victims
Branded Small Business Contests
Staples Canada Honors Small Businesses with Boost My Biz Contest
Social Good Yogurt Lines
Yogurtland Debuts a Branded Apparel and Accessories Collection
Gen Z-Backed Eco Initiatives
The EPA Debuts a Youth Advisory Council to Address Climate Challenges
Design-Led Lifestyle Brands
The John Lewis Partnership Unveils a New Lifestyle Brand and Tote Bag
Campaign-Led Esports Studios
Guild Launches New Creative Services Division Called ‘Guild Studios’
Business Slogan Generators
The Slogan Generator Will Create a Catchy Slogan for Any Business
Charitable Esports Projects
Epic Foundation Launches the Esports for Good Initiative
Limited Store-Opening Apparel
Union Joins Wasted Youth on a New Celebratory Collection
Diverse Leadership Inanities
Civic Nation Launched a New Initiative Dubbed the Change Collective
Philanthropic Investment Banks
Builders Vision Helps Build a More Humane and Healthy Planet