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Gifts that Do Good and Give Back

Explore amazing Twin Cities-based social enterprise businesses, brands, and makers that are making a difference in the world with the products they sell and the mission they live, all gathered together in one list!

11 min readOct 25, 2023
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*Denotes BIPOC-owned business
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BIPOC Box*–Gift boxes curated with BIMPOC (Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, and People of Color) and women-owned products.

Equity Box*–Collection of delicious artisanal sweet and savory snacks and snack ingredients, made by makers-of-color and complemented by a few products from peers from the wider small-batch food community.

Nosh Posh Snack Box*–Delicious assortment of healthy snacks from BIPOC and woman-owned.

Lovejoy’s* — Bartender-crafted, socially conscious, brunch beverage business with full-flavored mixers, hot sauces, and rim salts. Donating 5% of gross profits to nonprofit organizations that support at-risk youth.

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Scout Handsome Apparel — A handsome apparel and gift store located in Saint Paul, carrying a variety of casual outdoorsy brands with a focus on environmentally conscious materials, manufacturers, and contributors.

Spoils of Wear — St. Paul clothing store, stocking socially and environmentally conscious brands from all over the world.

Petek Trading Co–Ethically sourced & curated gifts and home goods from Turkey.

Seasoned Specialty Foods — Specialty food market in St. Paul, promoting local foods in a year-round farmer’s market-style showcase giving 100% of its proceeds back to local producers.

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Corazon Gifts — Eclectic shop for MN-made gifts, books, and goods.

Tare Market — Minnesota’s first zero-waste market providing options for plastic-free, eco-friendly, and local products to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Six for Good — A collective boutique at the Rosedale Center featuring six friends from six brands doing some good by supporting area non-profits with every sale.

Chameleon Shoppes | Minneapolis Pop-Up Shops* featuring BIPOC brands and makers.

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The Purple Tree — Unique specialty store in Hudson, WI with fantastic peace, fair trade, eco-friendly, and social justice items.

Evergreen Collective— Zero-waste shop in St. Paul providing options for plastic-free, eco-friendly, and local products to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Sisterhood Boutique* — Affordable, trendy clothing secondhand store in Minneapolis that serves as a hands-on entrepreneurial experience for young women in the area.

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Strive Publishing & Bookstore*–Shop picture books and young adult novels with stories from the African-American communities.

Moon Palace Books — An independent bookstore committed to being a welcoming and open space.

Black Garnet Books* — First Twin Cities-based black-owned bookstore, featuring BIPOC and femme authors.

Birchbark Books* –Independent bookshop with literature, handmade art, supporting Native culture, and the importance of small and intimate bookstores.

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Planting People Growing Justice (PPGJ)* — Black woman-owned children’s book publisher and social enterprise that seeks to increase diversity in books and promote youth leadership development.

Milkweed Editions–Brick-and-mortar independent bookstore and independent publisher of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

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Fair Anita — Trendy, affordable fair trade jewelry and accessories.

Askov Finlayson — 100% recycled North hats, caps, and climate-positive parkas for men and women.

Love Your Melon — Cozy beanies, sweaters, and knits for your home.

Hippy Feet — Socks and apparel benefitting young people experiencing homelessness.

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MNimalist Goods — Minnesota hats, snapbacks, stocking caps & more supporting local charities — made in the US.

SHEMA Apparel–Organic, bamboo basics and athletic wear ethically produced in Cambodia.

United People Apparel*— Clothing brand that celebrates the diverse beauty of families and cultures throughout the world.

Epimonia* — Bracelets made from recycled life jackets to raise awareness about the refugee crisis and actually save lives.

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*RedGreen Rivers — Traditional handicraft scarves & jewelry from the Mekong Region of Southeast Asia.

*Niniijaanis One of Ones — Unique art, collectibles and homegoods made by Indigenous artists funding culturally-relevant learning materials & curriculum for Indigenous children.

Molly Fuller Designs — Stylish sensory-friendly clothing for teens and adults.

Dress up to Calm Down–Weighted clothing and costumes for children with sensory needs.

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Anywhere Apparel — Travel apparel & accessories, sustainably made and produced in the US.

Express Bikes — Youth-empowered shop selling bike gear and accessories.

Quality Bicycle Products — B Corp cycling company selling accessories and apparel, cycling, distribution, and bicycle parts creates positive change for the planet and for people who ride bikes.

Woodchuck USA — Buy One Plant One Wood journals, tech, and accessories.

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Peace Coffee — Fairtrade, organic coffee, gifts, & gear.

Coconut Whisk* — Vegan and Gluten-Free, ready-to-bake mixes made with only real, high-quality ingredients.

MN Nice Spice — Handcrafted organic spice blends that support artists with disabilities.

Hoyo Sambusa* — Brand serving up delicious sambusas founded on the goal of employing and empowering Somali women.

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Isadore Nut Co — Fairtrade, organic nut mixes & occasion gifts using inclusive hiring practices.

Junita’s Jar *— Baking hope into every cookie purchase, helping women live their best lives.

Beez Kneez — Pedal-powered honey & bee products.

Wildflyer Coffee — Empowering youth experiencing homelessness, one coffee at a time.

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So Good, So You — Probiotic shots are sustainably manufactured in a zero-waste facility that is 100% powered by renewable energy.

K-Mama Sauce* — A rich and spicy Korean hot sauce that adds deep and complex flavor to a variety of dishes. 30% of their profits goes to local and national charities.

Maazah* — family-owned business crafting delicious fresh chutney, with donations made to Malala Fund.

Humble Nut Butter — A line of distinctly different savory nut spreads made from organic, simple ingredients. Woman-owned brand with inclusive hiring practices.

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The Functionist — Creates nutritious, functional foods that nurture the body and microbiome while committing to the most environmentally efficient use of land, resources, and carbon.

Seven Sundays : Breakfast Muesli — Gourmet breakfast foods that taste homemade and use only all-natural, super healthy ingredients.

Flava Cafe* — Flava Café exists to cultivate careers through coffee for young womxn who live at the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and ability.

Eso* — Sustainably sourced, all-natural pre-workout beverage, get all the energy to power through without the crash.

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​​Maud Borup is a woman-owned, veteran-owned sustainable candy, confections, and food gift company. Manufacturing and packing are done in the U.S.A.

Cookie Cart*–Fresh baked cookies that provide a first job experience and leadership training to teens in our Minneapolis and Saint Paul Bakeries.

Du Nord Social Spirits*–Black-owned spirits that support economic opportunity for the historically excluded and diversify the spirits industry.

FINNEGANS — FINNEGANS is the first beer company in the world to donate 100% of its profits to hunger alleviation charities where it’s Irish Amber or Blonde Ale is sold.

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Elpis Enterprises — Youth-empowering handcrafted baskets, bird feeders, and other home goods

Northern Glasses — Glassware & travel mugs printed with bold designs for every occasion and style

Wood from the Hood — High-quality wood products from reclaimed trees

Baladi Home — Contemporary goods handcrafted in Egypt, empowering artisans and preserving culture

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Jane Candle Co. *— Hand-poured clean burning luxury candles, known for their one-of-a-kind scents, and long-lasting products.

​​Excelsior Candle Co — Bottomless soy-wax candle program to promote recycling and reuse!

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Julia Elise Apothecary — Natural & herbal body care, oils, salves, and scrubs.

Honour Essentials — Ethically crafted skincare, shave and coffee essentials for men.

Terrain Brazilian Botanicals*–Skincare with waterless formulation with 100% organic oils and butters, community & rainforest-friendly sourcing, and biodegradable & recyclable packaging.

Essence One — Organic essential oils, bath teas, mists, and cleaning supplies.

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HiBar Shampoo — Plastic-free salon-quality shampoos and conditioners

ModernKind — shampoo powder — sustainable and a perfect gift for a conscious traveler.

Sebesta Apothecary — High quality, small batch, bath & body products made in Minneapolis using eco-friendly, minimum packaging.

Natural Bliss — Award-winning handcrafted body home care, pillow mists with organic essential oil.

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Body Love Products* — Aromatherapy hair, face, bath and body care products to everyday people who value safe 100% pure and natural essential oils.

Oh, Beehave! — Plastic-free & zero waste, sustainable products for the body.

Mind the Crown*–self-care essentials specifically designed to help you or the women in your life transform your daily routine into one that is more relaxed and joyful.

Twiggy Fresh* — Bamboo toothbrushes making a positive impact on the planet and providing quality that aligns with our customer’s values.

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Welly — Eco-friendly fabric bandages and ointments in handy dandy tins that can go on any adventure to keep you prepared.

Rocky Robinson* — Personal care products created to encourage girls to be at their best and to love themselves both inside and out, flaws and all!

Lip Esteem* — Cruelty-free, paraben-free and gluten-free lipstick line focused on building self-esteem for all people, of all races and all ages

Bim Bam Boo — Joyfully soothing & sustainable TP made from velvety bamboo toxin-free, vegan + cruelty-free

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Project Hive Pet Company–USA-made dog toys and treats with every purchase planting wildflowers — restoring vital habitat for the declining bee population.

Finley’s — Elevating people and pets through delicious treats for your pup. 50% of profits support people with disabilities.

Good Thomas — Ethically made and recycled dog clothing + matching outfits with a portion of profits donated.

Must be Ruff*–Gourmet dog treats with a made-from-scratch baking process, providing the best soft baked goods for your pup.

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Can Can Wonderland — Mini-golf, vintage arcade games, and live performances fit for the entire family!

Two Bettys Green Cleaning Co — High-quality eco-friendly green cleaning services for residential & small commercial clients

Voyager — Based in Minneapolis, Voyager provides eco-friendly, affordable camper van rentals to travelers in six U.S. cities

Feminist Book Club — Memberships make an excellent gift for the feminist in your life. Choose from a 3 month, 6 month, or 1 year subscription and share the love with your favorite aunt, fabulous dog walker, or book-loving bestie.

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D. Johnson & Co Greetings *— Culturally specific, custom, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, collectible greeting cards.

Smart Set · Greeting Cards–print your holiday cards at the only Certified B Corp printer in Minnesota, commiited to reduce our environmental footprint and fair labor practices.

Nashke Native Games* — board and card games that teach Ojibwe culture and language.

Wahani Puzzles — Puzzles featuring Native artists with a portion of sale supporting the artist and a percentage is donated to organizations that support the arts in Native communities.

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Hark! Cafe — Plant-based, gluten-free bakery & catering with a priority on zero-waste and ethical sourcing.

Sift Gluten Free — Woman-owned bakery with gluten-free baked goods including cinnamon rolls, donuts, cupcakes, and breads for any gathering.

Morgan’s Broth and Buns–woman-owned, small batch, nostalgic, Jewish comfort food to its community in a unique & personal way.

Butter Bakery Cafe — Small batch, from-scratch bakery, kitchen, and coffee shop.

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Breaking Bread Catering* — Unique style of fresh, flavorful and healthy global comfort foods.

Chowgirls Catering–a women-owned, award-winning Minneapolis catering company that values style and sustainability.

Chelle’s Kitchen*–cooking globally inspired comfort food that thwarts unhealthy stereotypes and fuses in global flavors.

Simpls — Scratch-made frozen food delivery with sustainable ingredients from local farm partners.

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Mostly Made (found at Kowalski’s) — Prepped food that cuts down on cooking time and supports people with healthy food during health crises.

Simek’s — Creates comforting and convenient frozen foods crafted with quality ingredients and homemade taste that also help the community you work hard in every day.

Eat for Equity — Local, organic, and fair trade, Eat for Equity Catering curates weekly meal boxes.

Explore the full Social Enterprise Directory of businesses and services at https://directory.socialenterprisemsp.org/

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Social Enterprise MSP
Social Enterprise MSP

Written by Social Enterprise MSP

A champion for changemakers using business to make a positive social impact. Committed to advancing the #purposedriven economy in Minneapolis / St. Paul.

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