Lush Cosmetics
/OVERVIEW: Lush Cosmetics supports human rights, global development, environmental conservation and animals and wildlife through its Charity Pot program.
IP TAKE: Lush Cosmetics gives 100% of the proceeds from the sales of its Charity Pot body lotion to grassroots organizations involved in human rights, global development, conservation and animals and wildlife. This funder prefers funding small grassroots organizations that may be overlooked by other funders and organizations that are directly and actively involved with the people or animals with which they work. Grantmaking is global in scope.
This funder has traditionally accepted applications through an online portal, but paused its grantmaking program during the COVID-19 crisis, which closed most of its retail stores. Grantseekers will want to check Lush’s website regularly for updates. It’s slated to reopen it’s online application process.
PROFILE: The U.K.-based cosmetics retailer Lush Cosmetics supports “support small, grassroots organizations in North America and around the world that are working on the root cause of issues and creating long-term sustainable change.” Funding is sourced with proceeds from the sale of the retailer’s Charity Pot body lotion. Lush names animal protection, environmental justice and human rights as areas of grantmaking interest. Grantmaking is global in scope, prioritizing underserved, oppressed and endangered communities and lands.
Grants for Global Security and Human Rights
Human rights are a main focus of Lush’s grantmaking, and while the company does not name specific goals for its funding in this area, several grants have organizations working to secure the rights for LGBTQ people, indigenous groups and women in developing nations. One grantee, Rainbow Refuge, is a volunteer-based organization operating in Vancouver to advocate for LGBTQ individuals seeking refugee status in Canada. Another grantee, Black Mesa Indigenous Support, received funding for organizing the Dineh people of Arizona to resist forced relocation and protect ancestral homelands. And in Uganda, Lush has given to Set Her Free, which empowers women and girls with the knowledge they need to lead “healthy, fulfilling lives and break entrenched cycles of poverty.”
Grants for Environmental Conservation
Environmental conservation and justice are another main focus of Lush’s grantmaking. In the U.S., the foundation has supported People and Pollinators, a Colorado organization that protects human and pollinator health through public education, advocacy and policy development to limit the use of harmful pesticides. Another U.S. grantee, the Cascade Forest Conservancy, works with local communities to protect and preserve forested areas around Mount St. Helens and to oppose a proposed mining project in the area. Global grantees include the Green World Campaign, which plants trees to restore degraded lands and forests around the world, and Alianza Arkana, which collaborates with indigenous groups to protect endangered areas of the Peruvian Amazon.
Grants for Animals and Wildlife
Lush’s recent funding for animals and wildlife has prioritized organizations in Canada. One recent grant went to a bear rehabilitation program at Vancouver’s North Island Wildlife Recovery Association, which protects and advocates for endangered local animal populations. Another recent grantee, Friends of Wild Salmon, is composed of residents of the North Coast of British Columbia and aims to protect and restore native wild salmon populations. A national organization, the Animal Justice Canada Legislative Fund, works toward more stringent legal protections for all domestic animals, and Hugabull, which is based in British Columbia, rescues and advocates for misunderstood pit bulls and pit bull-mixed dogs. Outside of Canada, the foundation has given to the Hawaiian Wildlife Center, New Mexico’s Advocates for Snake Preservation and Thailand’s Boon Lott Elephant Sanctuary.
Grants for Global Development
While the Lush Cosmetics Company does not name global development as an area of focus, it has supported several organizations promoting or involved in development projects in recent years. Lush has given to the Global Ecovillage Network Africa, which supports the development of self-empowered, resilient and sustainable communities in African nations. Another development grantee, the Ripple Effect, has helped the Ixil Maya people of northern Guatemala recover from 36 years of civil war by supporting the sustainable agriculture, water infrastructure and sanitation projects. And in Cambodia, Lush has given to the Savong Foundation, which supports underprivileged rural students with housing and educational opportunities.
Important Grant Details:
Lush Cosmetics’ Charity Pot program has awarded over ₤50 million since its inception in 2007. The company awards grants in amounts up to $15,000 to nonprofits and community or indigenous organizations with annual revenue of $500,000 or less. Funding prioritizes “direct action” groups that “are often overlooked by other funders.” Lush posts profiles of its grantees on its partners page.
This funder has traditionally accepted applications for funding via its online application system, but paused grantmaking in 2020, when most of its retail stores closed during the COVID-19 crisis. Potential grantees are advised to check the application site in the spring of 2021 for further updates. General inquiries may be submitted via the organization’s contact page.
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