Purchasing with Purpose

05/27/2026

Impact Enterprise of the Week: Jubilee Trading Co

This week we’re highlighting Jubilee Trading Company, a mission-driven nonprofit creating sustainable, life-changing work through global fair trade partnerships and local employment opportunities in Tennessee.

Jubilee Trading Company partners with skilled artisans in Morocco and Kenya to produce handcrafted leather goods using environmentally responsible practices while ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and reliable income for artisan communities.

Closer to home, Jubilee creates employment opportunities for women facing barriers to work, including domestic abuse survivors, through job readiness programs and supportive local hiring initiatives in rural Tennessee.

Beyond their products, Jubilee invests deeply in community. Their Lawrenceburg storefront hosts free workshops and events, while their Kenyan workshop also serves as a community gathering space for medical camps and local programs.

Learn more about their work:
https://jubileetradingco.com/

05/21/2026

Plan for a Better Future by Green America + Social(k) to learn how to bring sustainable investing into workplace retirement plans

May 27 | Employers: Learn why offering sustainable funds matters — and how to add them to your plan

Save your spot + help build a future you actually want to retire into https://bit.ly/4niYWXg

05/19/2026

Impact Enterprise of the Week: Point of View Story

This week we’re highlighting Point of View Story, an organization using the power of film to foster healing, connection, and understanding.

Through therapeutic films and cinematic storytelling, they create meaningful tools that support individuals, families, and agencies navigating difficult life experiences. Their work demonstrates how creativity and storytelling can become powerful vehicles for emotional healing and human connection.

We’re inspired by enterprises like Point of View Story that are using innovative approaches to put people first and create lasting social impact.

Learn more: https://www.pointofviewstory.com/

05/18/2026

One of the best resources out there on building an economy that works for people and planet is the Community Wealth Building Action Guide from The Democracy Collaborative. We've linked the Guide here: https://www.democracycollaborative.org/whatwethink/community-wealth-building-action-guide

The core idea is simple but powerful: instead of relying on outside investment, communities can build resilient local economies by using the assets, institutions, and resources they already have.

The guide highlights five key pillars of Community Wealth Building:
1. Progressive procurement
2. Locally rooted finance
3. Just use of land and property
4. Inclusive and democratic enterprise
5. Fair work

If you're ready to make your procurement work harder for your community, get in touch to see how we can support you to get started with impact-led purchasing in your organization.

Ready to take the next step? Our Essentials Program gives you the tools to make the case for impact-led purchasing in just 2.5 hours, using the language that gets leadership to act. Sign up with the link in the comments.

Community Wealth Building (CWB) is an economic development model that transforms local economies based on communities having direct ownership and control of their assets.

05/15/2026

Yesterday’s People and Planet First Procurement Exchange: Chicagoland Mini Trade Show brought together buyers and mission-driven enterprises from across Chicagoland for an afternoon focused on relationship-building and values-aligned procurement.

These intimate mini trade shows are designed to create real pathways between institutions, companies, and social enterprises that are ready to deliver high-quality products and services while creating positive impact.

A special thank you to HHPLIFT for hosting and helping create a space where these connections and opportunities could happen.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the event a success. We look forward to continuing to grow this ecosystem together. More mini trade shows are coming soon.

05/12/2026

This week’s Impact Enterprise of the Week is TS Designs

For more than 40 years, TS Designs has been showing that apparel can be made differently, with people and planet at the center. From domestic manufacturing and transparent supply chains to natural fibers and water-based inks, they continue to lead with innovation and long-term sustainability.

Their work is a powerful reminder that business can create quality products while investing in local economies, transparency, and responsible production.

05/07/2026

We are excited to kick off the Chicagoland Mini Trade Show Series, starting Thursday, May 14th from 1-3pm CT. Reserve your spot now to meet valued-aligned, pre-vetted suppliers. Sign up here https://forms.gle/zSYcPvsXTk9Cxgcu8

Bright Endeavors, The Chicago Lighthouse, World Finds, Cleanslate Junk Removal Cara Chicago, Heray Spice

05/05/2026

Impact Enterprise of the Week: Heray Spice

Heray Spice puts people and planet first by connecting communities to the rich culinary heritage of Afghanistan through ethically sourced, single-origin saffron.

By partnering directly with a farmer cooperative in Herat, they help create sustainable livelihoods while delivering high-quality saffron to kitchens around the world.

Through fair trade practices, farmers receive above-market prices, reliable payments, and ongoing support. Promoting saffron as a sustainable alternative to poppy farming.

Every purchase also gives back. A portion of profits supports the Heray Education Fund, expanding access to education for Afghan women.

Ethical sourcing. Lasting impact. Exceptional quality.
www.herayspice.com

05/04/2026

We are excited to kick off the Chicagoland Mini Trade Show Series, starting Thursday, May 14th from 1-3pm CT. Reserve your spot now to meet valued-aligned, pre-vetted suppliers. Sign up here https://forms.gle/zSYcPvsXTk9Cxgcu8

05/04/2026

We are excited to kick off the Chicagoland Mini Trade Show Series, starting Thursday, May 14th from 1-3pm CT. Reserve your spot now to meet valued-aligned, pre-vetted suppliers. Link in the bio.