15 Mother’s Day Gifts That Give Back

You know your mom is phenomenal, so now embolden her to embrace the proclamation and spread a message of interconnectedness. The Phenomenally Human sweatshirt does double-duty, raising funds for the This Is About Humanity fund at the International Community Foundation and the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign founded by Meena Harris.

Make that morning (or any-time-of-day) beverage count with this cup from the nonprofit collective People’s Pottery Project. The Los Angeles-based group engages formerly incarcerated women and queer and nonbinary craftspeople to develop a range of professional skills while evolving their own creativity. Special one-of-a-kind items, such as these earthy mugs, are among the results of this groundbreaking work.

Nalgona Positivity Pride powerfully uses media and clever merch to advance its mission to trumpet intersectional body positivity, eating-disorders awareness, and support in communities of color. The Matriarchy Is Older Than Western Feminism tote from its Etsy shop is a strong pick for socially conscious moms.

Buying a soothing blend from Equitea Co. is a great way to explore the flavors and benefits of organic brews and learn about the Black-owned brand’s vision. This project is among the tools that wellness entrepreneur, speaker, author, and father of six Quentin Vennie has used to promote healing and recovery in historically underserved communities and reduce stigma around mental-health issues.

Former Vanity Fair editor Alexis Kanter applies her sharp style sense and love of travel to En Place, an e-commerce platform that showcases wares from artisans around the globe. She selects soulful pieces with compelling stories, such as the jarrón clásico and other simple yet elegant vessels made in Guadalajara, Mexico, by members of Encrudo, a female-led cooperative.

The Downtown Women’s Center has been doing vital work in downtown Los Angeles since 1978. MADE by DWC is one of its revenue-generating arms that employs women who have experienced homelessness. Mindfully made products include hand-poured, all-natural soaps that smell and feel good, a small reminder of DWC’s essential contribution to the well-being of women who need it most.

Whether your mother is already familiar with CBD- and THC-enhanced products or is just a little cannabis curious, she’ll welcome the relief and nourishment from this carefully formulated skin balm. The impressive mother-daughter team behind Cali brand Cosmic View takes a holistic view — mom Christine Skibola is a cancer researcher who teaches at Emory University School of Medicine; daughter Nicole is a cancer survivor — meticulously sourcing raw materials with partner farms that are committed to sustainable practices.

Block Shop scarves are so gorgeous, versatile, flattering, and easy to wear and travel with that they make for a foolproof accessory for mom. The Bridget style in a pink and peach colorway feels bright and springlike, but you really can’t go wrong with any pick. Dynamo sister team Hopie and Lily Stockman contribute 5 percent of annual profits to run health-care camps for their artisan partners in Jaipur and grassroots arts organizations and strictly adhere to the notably high labor standards and environmental practices in India.

The Women’s Bean Project in Denver empowers individuals who have faced barriers to consistent employment through training and education. Contribute to this microenterprise, and do your parent a favor by purchasing a gift set featuring corn-bread mix with bean soups and chili. You’ll be thanked for taking the heavy lift out of dinner prep too.

Camilla Marcus transitioned from operating the west~bourne restaurant in New York, which she closed during the pandemic, to creating a culinary-product brand with a zero-waste ethic that applies to everything from its production to packaging. The avocado oil set contains a cooking oil and a finishing oil that beautify the kitchen counter and add another dimension of flavor. A portion of the proceeds from the initial launch is donated to the Ron Finley Project, supporting his urban garden-education efforts.

This durable and eye-catching home accessory available through the microenterprise platform Azizi Life has multiple uses, whether as a wall-mounted grouping that forms a decorative work of art or as a functional kitchen-countertop container. Weavers of the Abizeranye Cooperative in Rwanda specialize in expertly crafting woven bowls using sisal and forest grasses.

Maker Wine connects small indie winemakers, especially women and BIPOC industry pros, to a wider market. The holiday-themed selection of canned wines comes in practically sized containers with zero-sugar renditions of pinot noir, Grenache blanc, and rosé. Besides the wines’ taste and convenience, the packaging’s lighter carbon footprint and the brand’s anti-snob ethos is sure to make mom feel good in multiple ways.

Help mom make a statement with this striking and accessibly priced accessory that helps fund the efforts of humanitarian group Direct Relief in Ukraine in partnership with local operations, as well as the Ukrainian Ministry of Health. All profits from bracelets sold in applicable states are sent to Direct Relief.

Endangered Species Chocolate is a mission-driven chocolate company offers customers a win-win proposition: Funds raised from the sales of chocolate bars and other treats help protect endangered animal species, along with related vulnerable habitats and communities around the globe. All its delicious goods are vegan and fair-trade certified, including this delightful spring trio set.

If you’re going big for mom this year, splurge on the Mama Heart bracelet design collab between jewelry designer Zoë Chicco and Ariane Goldman, founder and CEO of maternity-wear and wellness brand Hatch. The Mama Heart charm bracelet will bring tons of style and a bit of bling to her jewelry box with timeless yellow gold and pavé diamonds. Proceeds from sales of the piece are committed to Every Mother Counts.


Jessica Ritz is a Los Angeles-based writer who has contributed to Architectural Digest, Bon Appétit, Coasting Living, Los Angeles Times, Palm Springs Life, and Los Angeles magazine. Follow her on Twitter @jessnritz.


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