This top list of summer-loving social businesses includes a wide variety of innovations that take a seasonal approach to their business practices. At SocialBusiness.org, we tend to like to take a look at how and why hybrid organizations do what they do while at the same time considering if it makes them competitive (and questioning whether that's why they undertake the types of practices that they do).
So, a number of these summer-loving social businesses are one-time events that take place in the summer months, for instance, the Co-operatives Fortnight is a festival that takes place in the United Kingdom. This attempts to bring people together at a time when they may be more included to be out and about and exploring what their city has to offer.
33 Summer-Loving Social Businesses
33
Peruvian-Printed Footwear
Inca Boot Company Employs Craftspeople in Peru
32
Utilitarian Neutral-Toned Wedges
The TOMS Desert Bootie is Another Pair of Chic Charitable Kicks
31
Recycled Skateboard Sunglasses (UPDATE)
The New Proof Sunglasses are the Perfect Summer Sunnies
30
Artisanal Organic Cotton Fashion
The One Mango Tree Spring/Summer Collection is Low-Key
29
Charitable Lit Tees
Wear Your Favorite Novel with the Out of Print Summer Reads Collection
28
Ethical Hand-Crafted Scarves
The Spring 2013 Collection by 'A Peace Treaty' is Vibrant and Bold
27
Soulful Wedding Sandals
Sseko Designs Help Women in Uganda Earn Money for University
26
Fair Trade Summer Textiles
The 'Creative Women' Ribbons Collection
25
One-for-One Boating Tees
The United by Blue Winter Collection Evokes a Public-Spirited Mindset
24
Eco-Friendly Philanthropic Flip Flops
Hari Mari Footwear Donates Money to Battle Cancer
23
Planet-Friendly Flip Flops
Feelgoodz Footwear Is Constructed Using Socially Responsible Methods
22
Eco Community Centers
Evergreen Brick Works is a Social Enterprise Fostering Nature in Toronto
21
Forest-Saving Sunglasses
Modo Eyewear Plants A Tree For Every Pair Sold
20
Worn Leather Loafers
The Oliberte MAGADO and NAVIRO Shoes are Made in Ethiopia
19
Online Civic Engagement Platforms
MyCityHall.ca is a Free, Open Source Web Tool by Open North
18
City Summer Art Escapes
Children’s Peace Theatre Brings Art to the City in an Inventive Way
17
Altruistic Nature Centers
IslandWood Aims to Foster Environmental Stewardship for Life
16
Small-Living Catering Businesses
'Hand Made Food' is an Independent Chef Kitchen in London
15
Scarves for Education
Zaanha Fashions Help Send Children in Afghanistan to School
14
Community-Supporting Snapbacks
The SEA Brand Notes a Quarter of Proceeds to Poverty Tansitioning
13
Art Incubator Showcases
The Cockpit Arts Summer Open Studios is a Business-Supporting Festival
12
Adorable Charitable High Heels
The TOMS Sophie Wedge Offers Perfect Summer Style
11
One-for-One Prenatal Vitamins
Build Nutrition Tackles Malnutrition in the Majority World
10
Environmentally Conscious Heating
BioLite Provides Clean and Affordable Energy Worldwide
9
Community-Minded Fashion Businesses
A-Thread Gives Back with Its 'Shop and Effect' Program
8
Social Enterprise Irrigation Systems
Driptech is a International Water Technologies Company
7
Charity-Supporting Apparel
Bora Wear Helps to Alleviate Inequities in Africa
6
Ethical Gastropubs
The Duke of Cambridge Serves Organic and Local Foods
5
Education-Enabling Embroidery
ZAANHA Helps Afghan Women Learn How to Run a Successful Business
4
Beneficial Beverage Companies
Rebbl is a Social Enterprise Being Launched by Not For Sale
3
Book-Providing Apparel
S.T.O.R.Y. Clothing Tackles U.S. Illiteracy Through Donation
2
Visionary Social Change Videos
The Ashoka 'Everyone a Changemaker' Animation
1
Annual Summer Co-op Festivals
The Co-operatives Fortnight is a UK-Based Campaign
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Stylish Superhero Slip-Ons
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Slavery-Fighting Jewelry
The Brave Collection Helps Combat Human Trafficking
68 'Buy One, Give One' Innovations
From Charitable Conscience Campaigns to Bearded Botas Kicks
DIY Marble Scarves
This How-To Marble Scarf Tutorial is Fun and Colorful
Elegant Bomb-Recycled Jewelry
Upcycled Jewelry from Saught is Made from Shrapnel
Tropical Cuban Hipster Eyewear
SUPER Flat Top Havana Sunglasses Brings the Vacation Home
Striking Avian Street Art
These Bird Murals by Artist L7M Depict a Wide Range of Beautiful Birds
Psychedelic Silk Scarves
These Creations from Eager & Vane are Full of Mind-Blowing Illusions
Granny-Modeled Sunglasses
The Karen Walker Eyewear Summer 2013 Lookbook is Fit for All Ages
Education-Enabling Carryalls
Fly Canvas Bags Benefit Schools for Underprivileged Children
Ethiopian-Made Scarves
Connected in Hope Employs Women in Mount Entoto
Recycled Perforated Credentials
Jason Little Creates a Literal Acupuncture Business Card Design
Charitable Lit Tees
Wear Your Favorite Novel with the Out of Print Summer Reads Collection
Seasonal Eco Eateries
A Better World Cafe Serves up Accessible Sustainable Food
Tuition-Paying Knapsacks
Every ESPEROS Backpack Sold Helps Put a Child Through School
One-for-One Education Companies
The Pencil Promise Project Encourages Learning
Eccentric Bedazzled Sunglasses
The SPANGLED S/S 2013 Collection Preview is Jazzy
Preppy Literacy-Promoting Garments
Read’s Clothing Project Benefits Books for Africa
Nautical Retro Editorials
The Mila De Wit Glamour UK Shoot is Effortlessly Classic
Aggressively Accessorized Editorials
The Harper's Bazaar Korea Poppy Love Photoshoot is Adorned
Fair Trade-Only Websites
Global Goods Partners Features the Work of Women Artisans
Charitable Coffee Shops
The Movement Cafe is an Artsy Space That Hosts Local Performers
Mirror-Specific Sunglasses
The Spektre Summer 2012 Eyewear Collection is Highly Reflective
Color-Enhancing Sunglasses
EnChroma Sunglasses are the First Lenses That Don't Block Color
Barefoot Crocheted Sandals
The Lasunka Pieces are Beautifully Sensual Footwear Designs
Crowdfunding Apps
SellanApp Lets Anyone Gain Funding and Connect with Developers
Altruistic Accessory Lines
Rising Tide Fair Trade Bags Provide Jobs For Under Served Women
Lit Culture Tablet Cases
The Out of Print Ebook Jackets Will Feature Fresh Iconic Novel Covers
Socially Responsible Accessories
Raven & Lily Provides Employment For Female Artisans
Aquatic-Inspired Shades
The Oakley 'Frogskin Aquatique' Collection is Rad
Fair Trade Eco-Tourism
Bespoke Experience Uses Commercial Travel for Poverty Alleviation
Charitable Children's Collections
The H & M 'All for Children' Line Donates Proceeds to UNICEF
Economically Empowering Jewelry Programs
Senhoa Benefits Survivors of Human Trafficking
Entrepreneurship-Enabling Crafts
Buying a Prosperity Candle Helps Women Refugees Open a Business
African-Inspired Apparel
The Batik Print Shorts by Wren are Fair Trade and 100% Cotton
Block-Printed Artisan Clothing
Mata Traders Fuses Style and Ethics with Fair Trade Cooperatives
Health-Promoting Camping Gear
Kammok Sells Hammocks to Provide Mosquito Nets in Africa
Poverty-Focused Innovation Labs
Proximity Designs is a Myanmar-Based Non-Profit Enterprise
DIY Stuffed Scarf Necklaces
This Simple Activity Uses Styrofoam to Make a Bold Neck Accessory
8-Bit Gamer Shades
The Pixelated 8-Bit Sunglasses are an Ode to Old School Video Games
Customizable Charity-Driven Accessories
C4 Belts are Socially Conscious and Eco-Friendly
Planet-Friendly Flip Flops
Feelgoodz Footwear Is Constructed Using Socially Responsible Methods
Eco-Conscious Wooden Shades
A Tree Will Be Planted for Each Pair of Hout Couture Sunglasses Sold
One-for-One Wooden Eyeglasses
Anni Shades Plants a Tree for Every Pair Sold
DIY Shade Designs
'Her New Leaf' Blog Shows How to Easily Spruce up Any Sunglasses
Change-Focused Mobile Markets
My Street Grocery Aims to Further the Local Food Economy
Fair Trade Statement Jewelry
Raven + Lily Features Collections Benefiting HIV-Positive Women
Charity-Supporting Kicks
GIDEON SHOES are Hand-Crafted in an Anti-Sweatshop Ethical Workplace
Fairly Traded Fashion Lines
Good & Fair Clothing Uses Organic Materials and Pays Equitable Wages
Bike-Delivered Organic Java
Peace Coffee is a Fair Trade Brew Company in Minneapolis
Fair Trade Sri Lankan Toys
'Lanka Kade' is a Family-Run Social Enterprise for Kids
Contemporary For-Benefit E-Commerce
We See Beauty Tries to Sell Coop-Made Products with Visuals
Healthier Cooking Instruments
Ecozoom Designs Safe Cookstoves for the Developing World
Fair Trade Zipper Clutches
This Exotic and Sustainable Purse Supports Guatemalan Women
Anti-Slavery Quilts
Anchal Provides Commercial Sex Slave Workers Alternatives to Exploitation
Humble Humanitarian Necklaces
The Signature Necklace By Liberate Apparel Sheds Light On Poverty
Socially Responsible Sportswear
Puma Wilderness Collection Offers Eco-Friendly & Fair Trade Items
Worldstock (INTERVIEW)
In Commemoration of the Passing of World Fair Trade Day
Swapable Hipster Shades
The Elizabeth and James Melrose Sunglasses are Smart and Snappy
Downtown Paint Publicity Stunts
The Paint Party 2013 for Corona Beer Was a Vibrant and Messy Event
Retro Skeletal Sunglasses
The Cheap Monday Spring/Summer 2013 Accessories Collection is Chunky
Women in Business Web Platform
Young Female Entrepreneurs is a socially minded community
Health-Sensing Eyewear
O2Amps Glasses Can Help Doctors Assess Oxygen Levels in Blood
Alok Appadurai, Founder of Fed by Threads (INTERVIEW)
Providing Meals to Americans in Need
Intricately Carved Scarves
The Block Shop Textile Products Are Made with Wooden Pieces
Collapsible Classic Sunnies
The Ray-Ban Foldable Aviators are a New Endeavor for The Brand
Environmentally Conscious Crafts
Association for Craft Producers Connects Artists and Retailers
Rainforest Jewelry Collections
ORG by vio Sells Creative Goods by Indigenous Amazon Artisans
Anti-Mafia Co-Operative Products
The Ethicando Store in Paris Stocks Fairtrade Food and Designs
Gender-Specific Business Tools
Womenetics is a Media Platform Looking to Increase Women's Success
Co-op-Made Honeycomb Crunches
Divine's Milk Chocolate Bees is the Result of a New Partnership
Non-Synthetic Candies
'Pure Fun' Offers Fair Trade, Organic and Vegan Treats
Nintendo-Inspired Button-Ups
The Super Mario Chambray Shirts Celebrates the Bowser-Bashing Bros
Community-Supporting Snapbacks
The SEA Brand Notes a Quarter of Proceeds to Poverty Tansitioning
Bolivian Co-Op Clothing
Artesania Sorata Creates Artisan Goods and Employs Women
Art Incubator Showcases
The Cockpit Arts Summer Open Studios is a Business-Supporting Festival
Microfinancing Poverty Solutions
Lumana Credit is Microlending to Rural Africans from Seattle
Adorable Charitable High Heels
The TOMS Sophie Wedge Offers Perfect Summer Style
Generous Greeting Cards
Species Spectrum Raises Awareness of Animal Rescue
Decorative Insignia Sunglasses
The Wild Fox Starstruck Frame Sunglasses Scream Celebrity Style
Ethical Artisan-Focused Fashion
‘A Peace Treaty’ Employs At-Risk Designers
Indian Water-Saving Technology
GEWP Allows Farmers to Yield More Crops and Create More Jobs
Change-Making Business Incubators
Enspiral is a Creative Launch Pad for Social Start-ups
Treasure-Hunting Scarves
'Kind of Moving' Features Hidden Treasures on its Printed Scarves
Socially Responsible Marketing Solutions
Eighty2degrees is Sustainability-Driven Graphic Design
Incentive Eco Totes
Bags of Change Offers a Customer Rewards with Purchase of Reusable Tote
Poverty-Fighting Purses
The Sass & Bide ITC Project Promotes Ethnical Fashion and Social Good
Indian Social Entrepreneurship Programs
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences is Pushing the Scene
Multicolored String Scarves
The Bora Scarf Adds Texture and Versatility to Your Accessories
Socially Conscious Newborn Fashion
Rockin Baby Benefits Haitian Mothers with "One-for-One" Slings
Surgery Sponsoring Web Donations
Watsi is Making Medical Care Affordable for the Developing World
Sector-Spanning Social Firms
Purpose Capital Connects Creative Businesses and Investors
Community-Building Cafes
Sisters Of The Road Provides Good Food and Hospitality To The Homeless
Faith-Based Creative Businesses
Haitian Creations Works with Women in Making Accessories
Personifying Breakfast Bowls
Give Your Egg Some Spunky Personality with the Bad Egg Cup
Slavery-Targeting Enterprise Accelerators
Not For Sale Endeavors to Fight Human Trafficking
Youth Culture Fashion Videos
The Wood Wood 2013 Spring/Summer '3rd Movement' Explores Hippy Love
Ethical Sewing Workshops
Afesip Fair Fashion Creates Design and Clothing Products in Cambodia
Adventure Philanthropy Platforms
'Climb For Change' Lets You Crowdfund Your Excursion
Reusable Green Sacks
RuMe Creates Bags That are Stylish and Eco-Friendly
Impactful Intrapreneurship Ventures
Central City Concern is an Innovative Portland Non-Profit
Project-Based Employment Opportunities
Pathways-Shropshire Limited is a UK Social Enterprise
Green Java Distributors
Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers Helps Farmers Succeed
Youth Innovation Platforms
Impact Generation Offers Training and Entrepreneurial Skill-Building
Non-Profit Supporting Bistros
Central City Coffee is a Social Enterprise Cafe in Portland
Dan Gigante, Founder and President of You and Who (INTERVIEW)
Conscious Wearable Art
Nature Vacations With Purpose
The Cascadia Experience Plans Educational Camping for Families
Altruistic Organic Fertilizer Technology
Byoearth is a Social Venture Preserving the Planet
Maintenance Services Co-ops
Self-Reliance Solutions Creates Employment Opportunities in Toronto
Hunger-Curbing Fashion
Fancy Rags Trades T-Shirts for Meals to Local Community Members
Micro-Lending Web Platforms
Lendwithcare.org Works with The Co-operative
Social Firm Community Cafes
Frogmeadow Reinvents the Labor Market in the United Kingdom
Youth-Led Education Programs
CIYOTA's Benson Wereje is a 2013 Class of Echoing Green Fellow
One for One Eyewear Lines
The Warby Parker Do Good Initiative Provides Reading Glasses to the Poor
Artist-Inspired Feline Scarves
These Picasso Cat Scarves Charmingly Pays Homage to Picasso
Star-Spangled Scarves
The Uniform Experiment 2013 S/S Stole Collection is Starry Eyed
Philanthropic Caricature T-Shirts
BNE Fukushima Relief Collection Strives to Help Japan's Citizens
Food Shortage-Fighting Apparel
Fed by Threads Donates Funds to Provide Meals for Every Item Sold
Human Trafficking-Haulting Agencies
The Nomi Network Provides Employment and Support for Victims
Cause Fundraising Websites
Bids4Kids Focuses on Children's Education in Australia
One-for-One Bus Rides
Detroit Bus Company 'WeRide' Program Aims to Improve City Transit
Impact-Driven Health Tech Startups
Preciva is Pioneering Accessible Cervical Cancer Screenings
Collaborative Community Painting Projects
Niklas Roy's Public Painting Machine Encourages Artistry
Crowdfunding for Social Start-ups
'33needs' is a Website Helping to Start Companies with Purpose
Co-op Representatives
The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) Brings Members Together
DIY Light-Up Scarves
Becky Stern's Chameleon LED Scarves Adapt to Any Color They Scan