SoulGives Company

SoulGives Company is a non-profit organization focused on empowering Latin American artisans and growers, especially from indigenous communities, by offering them digital resources and support to sell their handmade crafts and food globally through ecommerce. As a mostly-women operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit, SoulGives aims to alleviate poverty in selected Latin American populations by helping indigenous artisans and growers reach customers directly in the US and Canada. The initiative seeks to improve production quality through culturally appropriate business guidance and follows a Biblical model of empowering the poor by mentoring and providing encouragement. SoulGives is committed to business development and marketing for its clients, ensuring self-sustainability, environmental friendliness, and the use of naturally produced handmade products. Businesses undergo a rigorous screening process based on marketability, meaningfulness, measurability, manageability, and the potential for microloans, evaluating local partnerships, production capacity, and the use of recyclable materials. The organization's inception was inspired by a meeting with a Mayan woman in Cozumel, whose livelihood was affected by the absence of tourism. This personal experience motivated the founders to support entrepreneurship among marginalized communities. The ongoing efforts aim to connect artisans with interested shoppers and create a wider impact through partnerships and volunteerism. The team comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds, including healthcare and acupuncture, real estate, eco-farming, financial management, and custom orthopedic shoe manufacturing. Their combined expertise drives initiatives like a premier rescue and education center for local bees on Cozumel Island, which supports mangrove and coral reef health and empowers special needs students through conservation projects. Additionally, SoulGives helps the Maleku tribe in Costa Rica commercialize their medicinal teas and addresses dental care accessibility challenges in Mexico through education and local partnerships.