DDG: Teens Launch Clothing Brand That Gives Back To Local Charities

Last fall, Atlanta high school seniors Daniel Kauffman and William Wright launched philanthropic apparel brand Impact Threads. The idea for the brand took shape in the summer before their junior year, inspired by Kauffman’s sixth-grade experience volunteering at a homeless shelter. Since starting in November, they’ve partnered with three Atlanta-based charities: I Will Survive, Inc., Atlanta Humane Society, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

For each charity, Kauffman and Wright create custom t-shirt designs featuring the organization’s branding and an interactive QR code on the front. The QR code links to the partner's donation page, allowing people to contribute directly. “We want our clothing to be interactive,” says Kauffman. Wright adds that even if someone doesn’t buy a shirt, they’ll often donate after scanning the code, helping to raise more funds for the charity.

Just over half of all the profits from their sales go directly to the partner charities, and all design, production, and marketing are handled in-house at no cost to the organizations. Looking ahead, Kauffman and Wright plan to expand their clothing line and collaborate with more nonprofits, aiming to continue growing their impact after they graduate.

Source: ROUGH DRAFT ATLANTA