Breadth of Impact

TOMS Shoes’ impact extends to most parts of the world. Consumers around the globe taking to their brand and they’ve donated shoes in lots of countries in the developing world.

Depth of Impact

Their impact creates enormous change in the lives of beneficiaries. By wearing shoes they otherwise could not afford, child recipients of TOMS Shoes are able to roam freely with protection against cuts and infections. As many schools require students to wear shoes, these children are additionally able to attend school on a regular basis.

Legal Structure

TOMS Shoes’ for profit business helps them meet the mission. By focusing on sales to the paying public, they know each child recipient is benefiting as well.

Mission Measurement

Founder Blake Mycoskie recently commissioned studies to fully measure the social impact of his company.

This organization empowers its employees through:

Connection Initiatives

TOMS Shoes create meaningful opportunities for their employees by encouraging them to participate in Shoe Drops, where they visit a developing country for a week to hand-place shoes on children in need. Sharing in an experience like this allows employees to physically and emotionally understand the impact of their work.

Purpose-Driven Culture

Top interns at TOMS Shoes are known as Agents of Change. These emerging leaders work closely with full-time employees to develop their skills and carve out new initiatives for the organization.

Clear Plans for Promotion and Advancement

Interns at this organization have the benefit of an internship coordinator who helps them build off their experience. After the internship, the coordinator works with the team to recreate their resumes and determine whether there’s a full time role for them at TOMS.

This organization has been recognized for its initiatives to create:

Products for a Better World

With a strong philanthropic model in place, this business is creating products that improve society.

Happy Customers

As part of TOMS’ 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, support representatives are available 12 hours a day, 5 days a week to handle returns, exchanges and repairs/replacements.

Ethical Supply Chains

They closely monitor factory compliance and material source for the shoes they sell. Third party audit firms are commissioned to maintain ethical standards.

Donations to Social Causes

To date, TOMS has donated over 1 million shoes to children in need!

The Earth Friendly features of this organization's offices and facilities include:

Recycling and Composting Systems

TOMS has a dedicated team of “greenies” composed of full time staff and interns who work to keep the office environmentally sound. Sustainable Soles, as they’re called, have taken it upon themselves to learn new recycling techniques.

Clean Commuting Incentives

Sustainable Soles created a carpooling program and cycling initiative (for which an entire new bike rack had to be installed!)

This organization showcases its Eco-Design through:

Environmentally Conscious Materials

The canvas portion of TOMS shoes are made of texture twill material (67% hemp, 33% recycled plastics). The soft insole is made of micro fiber as opposed to suede. The sole is made of part recycled rubber, and minimal glue is used to put the shoes together.

Durability

By using canvas, TOMS shoes are built to last.

Waste Minimizing Initiatives

TOMS Shoes are intentionally designed to be light on materials. Their slim look and feel is nice on the feet, too!

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

Volunteering to Support Nature

TOMS’ Sustainable Soles team works to keep the local community ecologically resilient by participating in beach clean-ups and tree planting projects.

Donating to Environmental Causes

In April 2010 TOMS held a water charity project, donating proceeds from shoe sales to Sekura so that 540 people can access clean and safe drinking water.