Q&A with Joan Shifrin & Catherine Shimony
Founders, Global Goods Partners
Why did you start Global Goods Partners?
Prior to founding Global Goods Partners, both of us worked for years as development professionals, focusing on everything from child labor issues to disaster relief. Our jobs took us to different parts of the world, where we met amazing women who were creating beautiful, exquisitely made items. These women were “amazing” not just because of their talent but because of their spirit. Despite poverty and great odds, they were supporting themselves and their families and trying to find new ways to improve their lives. On many occasions, the women were working as part of community-based organizations or microenterprises, which not only provided them with training and support, but also offered healthcare and education programs for their children. These organizations were making a real, measurable impact, not just in terms of greater income for the women, but also as agents of positive change in their communities.
As we were introduced to more and more of these organizations, we came to feel that the most efficient and immediately effective way we could help them in their work would be to open markets in the United States for their products, thus increasing their income. Once a stable partnership was created and additional income was coming to the organization, we could then use our development expertise to help improve its programs and operations within its community.
What do you mean when you talk about “Conscientious Shopping” and “Fair Trade”?
To us, this means shopping for change. As a general definition, the fair trade movement strives to ensure that workers are adequately compensated and that their working environments are clean and safe. Therefore, a conscientious shopper knows that the simple purchase of a well-made, unique, and useful item has the power to directly impact and improve communities on the other side of the world. Global Goods Partners’ products are made by organizations that not only treat their workers fairly, but also focus on community development issues, such as education, health, women’s rights, and economic empowerment. Our successes to date demonstrate that American consumers and companies appreciate the opportunity to make everyday purchases that benefit their global neighbors and show that they care.
How is Global Goods Partners different from other organizations or companies that market fair trade or imported products in the US?
Global Goods Partners addresses social justice differently than other fair trade companies and importers, and distinguishes itself in four important ways:
We are a nonprofit organization. A portion of the proceeds from product sales are used to make capacity-building grants to GGP’s partners, strengthening both their community development programs as well as their income-generating enterprises. Many other fair trade companies and importers operate as for-profit businesses.
Our products are made by organizations and enterprises that are actively providing or supporting community development programs focused on education, health, women’s rights, and economic empowerment. Many other companies sell products from individuals or large businesses, neither of which specifically promote social justice or sustainable community development.
We give additional support to our partners by providing capacity-building grants and technical assistance that help organizations better achieve their overall objectives. Global Goods Partners’ grants and assistance strengthen both the organization’s income-generating enterprise as well as its community development programs.
Through our US programs and educational materials, we actively work to raise awareness in the US about global social justice issues and to help individuals, organizations, and businesses directly support the development of marginalized communities worldwide.
How does Global Goods Partners find and choose its partners?
Global Goods markets products exclusively from organizations or enterprises that operate or support community development programs in the fields of education, health, women’s rights, and economic empowerment. All of our partners are managed by local leaders and engage their communities in program activities and advocacy, addressing the needs of the most marginalized populations while also striving for economic sustainability. In addition to demonstrating their commitment to holistic community development, our partners must show that their products are made according to fair trade principles, represent their cultural values, are created from local materials and using local techniques, and exhibit consistent, skilled craftsmanship. Global Goods identifies potential partners through referrals from other organizations that share our values, and from site visits conducted regularly throughout the world.
How does Global Goods Partners support sustainable development in its partners’ communities?
Global Goods Partners operates a capacity-building grants program—supported by proceeds from product sales, private donations, and foundation funding—which aims to help our partners better achieve their overall objectives. Grants focus on two areas: the improvement and expansion of income-generating enterprises; and the strengthening of community development programs addressing economic advancement and job creation, education and training, health education and services, and women’s rights and empowerment. Global Goods Partners strives to create open partnerships, providing tailored support that responds to the most critical needs of each organization and fosters sustainable, independent programs.
What is your philosophy on promoting sustainable community development?
We believe that economics, education, health, and gender equality are inter-related. Empowerment of women and mothers leads to healthier and better educated children. Improved health produces more effective schooling and a more productive workforce. Better educational opportunities create higher-paying jobs and a more open and just society. And financially secure families and communities can provide more and better healthcare and education to everyone, including women and girls. We maintain that in order to make real and lasting progress, communities must be empowered to identify their own needs and to create and implement solutions responding to them. By providing our partners with access to increased income generation, a greater global audience, and flexible capacity-building assistance, we support them in these endeavors.
How do you help consumers to understand the impact of their purchase?
Each Global Goods Partners product comes with a special tag describing the organization that crafted the item, the social and economic challenges facing the group and its community, and the group’s efforts to overcome adversity and advance social justice. We also offer information, links, and resources on our website, where people can learn about our partners, relevant topics such as fair trade and women’s empowerment, and other countries and communities. We feel that knowledge of where the product comes from creates a connection between the person who is buying the product and the person who made it.
How can my school or nonprofit organization work with Global Goods Partners?
We offer schools and nonprofit organizations an effective, educational, and socially responsible fundraising tool. By raising funds through the sale of artistic, high-quality, and fair trade products made by GGP’s partners in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, you help support advancements in education, health, women’s rights, and economic development worldwide. Additionally, GGP’s accompanying educational materials, resources, and curricula can help engage your community in learning about other cultures, current affairs, social responsibility, and ways in which small local acts—such as an ordinary purchase—can have a global impact.
How can my company make a difference in the world with a corporate gift?
We offer corporate gifts that identify your brand in ways your corporate logo or mission statement don’t usually reveal. When you take a socially responsible stand, you’re sending a message about your company’s values. This is a great way to let your clients know that you’re playing an active role in creating positive change in the world. To find out more please click here.
How can an event I am planning have a broader social meaning?
We give event planners a unique way to infuse their clients’ special occasions with even greater meaning. If you’re helping a couple plan a wedding, working with a charity hosting its annual gala, or planning a bar or bat mitzvah, a confirmation, or a quinceañera, GGP’s’ products are a perfect fit for events big and small. From bridesmaids’ gifts to goodie bags, we offer a wide variety of products and styles to help give your special event greater significance. To get involved please click here.
How can I support GGP’s partners without making a purchase?
We appreciate your desire to help in any way, and we accept donations that go to the GGP’s grantmaking program. You could also make a gift as a way of honoring a special occasion or special person and receive an acknowledgement for your honoree. Not only does 100 percent of your donation go toward supporting our partners, but your donation is also tax deductible. To make a donation please click here.
