Breadth of Impact

Free the Children have a physical presence in Haiti, India, Kenya, China, Ecuador and Sierra Leone. They’ve built, and continue to support schools, nutrition centers, libraries and sanitation facilities, all with the intention of serving children’s needs.

Me to We’s t-shirt business ties together different groups, which spreads their impact. The cotton is grown and spun in Turkey using organic methods and ethical labor practices, then sewn in Canada, and sold worldwide. Their artisan jewelry sources beads from Nairobi, Kenya, which are then crafted into jewelry by a women’s group in another part of the country.

“Voluntourism” trips are another way Me to We integrates their impact into many peoples lives. Families and friends can spend their holiday working on the ground in developing countries with partner organizations.

Depth of Impact

The people touched by Me to We and Free the Children experience enormous change in their lives.

Legal Structure

Me to We and Free the Children’s hybrid legal structure is a fine example of a mission-meeting framework. With Me to We operating as a for-profit, they’re able to harness the power of business to build lucrative models with third-world partners. And according to their mandate, half of all net profits after taxes goes to their non-profit entity, Free the Children. Through a non-profit structure, Free the Children can raise tax-deductible donations from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and ensure all money generated goes to meeting the mission.

Mission Measurement

Me to We’s mission metrics have been established. As they report in 2011, social impact is represented by:

• 275,000 people inspired by the Me to We message through speeches, books and leadership programs
• 145,600 volunteer hours served by participants on Me to We trips
• 1,3000 travelers on 74 volunteer trips to help build schools, teach children and serve in developing communities
• 439 young leaders attending eight summer leadership academies across North America to gain issues-based education and skills-based leadership training

Environmental Impact:

• 208,037 gallons of water, 12,631 pounds of solid waste, 454 trees and 43,194 pounds of greenhouse gases saved by using post-consumer waste recycled paper
• 2,121 trees planted to offset carbon emissions

Financial Impact:

• $1 million in donations to Free the Children in cash and in-kind contributions
• $650,000 in-kind donations to Free The Children, including services and volunteer hours from Me to We staff
• $351,000 in cash donated to Free The Children, helping to lower the charity’s administrative costs

This organization empowers its employees through:

Values-Driven Hiring

Hiring practices at these organizations are perfectly in tune with the New Game. For potential hires, the organizations state that “We want to see what makes you shine. Write us a letter, make us a video, sing us a song.” This is a great example of how this organization targets unique, fun and outgoing individuals who aren’t afraid to take risks.

According to an Associate Director of School Engagement, it’s imperative that a potential hire has a passion for social change and children’s rights.  While a certain skill set may be necessary, it’s definitely not the focus of the interviews.

Purpose-Driven Culture

The purpose of the work is daily motivation for the staff of these orgs. Their visionary founders got involved in this line of work for a greater purpose: help young people drive change daily and improve the lives of children.

Connection Initiatives

Once hired, all new employees are subject to a three month probationary period. Their work deliverables and general fit are closely monitored during this time, and corrective actions are quickly taken if they’re not performing well, sometimes resulting in dismissal. While this may seem harsh, this ‘right of passage’ helps strengthen the bonds of the tribe.

Opportunities for Professional Growth and Learning

These organizations supplement earnings with great opportunities for professional development, like skills-improvement workshops and inviting inspiring guest speakers to present on various topics.

Support for Personal Growth and Learning

Staff members are encouraged to take volunteer trips to see their impact in action and to grow personally, usually by working with a beneficiary group.

One of the seven core values at Free the Children is to ‘honour every stakeholder'.

This organization has been recognized for its initiatives to create:

Products for a Better World

The goods and services are designed specifically to create markets that are good for the environment and society, and to empower youth.

Ethical Supply Chains

Me to We’s manufacturing promises to be ‘sweat-shop free’.

Donations to Social Causes

Me to We donates half of all profits to Free the Children, their partner charity!

This organization showcases its Eco-Design through:

Environmentally Conscious Materials

Me to We’s clothes and jewelry products are made in ecologically sensitive ways. They use sustainable materials like bamboo and certified organic fair trade cotton for textiles.

Water Conserving Systems

At the end of 2010 Me to We had saved an estimated 208,037 gallons of water by promoting and using water efficient manufacturing techniques.

Waste Minimizing Initiatives

At the end of 2010 Me to We had saved 12,631 pounds of solid waste, 454 trees and 43,194 pounds of greenhouse gases through their eco-senstitive manufacturing practices.

In addition to minimizing their own impact, this organization’s environmental initiatives extend to:

Spreading Environmental Awareness

Me to We Style offers online buyers a full summary of the environmental inputs that go into making an eco-conscious clothing line.

Voluntary Carbon Credit Purchases

Me to We purchases carbon credits to offset work-related travel.