G&g Brief Revised

GIFTS AND GRACES FAIR TRADE FOUNDATION, INC. Unit 131 G/F Mile Long Building Amorsolo Street, Makati City [email protected] www.giftsandgraces.com +63-906-3022668 +632 7592525

Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, or G&G,

is a duly registered nonstock, nonprofit organization that works with artisans and marginalized groups to help them improve their livelihood programs. G&G works in the areas of product development, market access, technical support on enterprise management, and advocacy of fair trade practices. Each purchase of a Gifts and Graces product supports our partner livelihood groups and artisans and helps them break free from the cycle of poverty.

SITUATIONER About 40% of Filipinos earn $4 a day or even less. They are starving, have no access to quality healthcare, and live under vulnerable, squalid conditions. Their children are malnourished and are unable to stay in school. They are exploited, marginalized, and trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Gifts and Graces dreams of A Philippines that has eradicated poverty: there is food, water, clothing, shelter, and access to education and healthcare for all. We dream of empowerment and a dignified life for the marginalized who have limited choices and whose voices go unheard. We dream of a Philippines of equal opportunity and treatment where everyone has the freedom and means to pursue their dreams. Non-Government Organizations or NGOs and other organizations in direct service to marginalized groups set up livelihood programs to help give their partners a source of income that will help them provide for their basic and secondary needs. The challenges these groups face, however, are enormous as they struggle with limited financial, technical, and human resources. This is where Gifts and Graces comes in. We at Gifts and Graces believe in supporting non-profit organizations and livelihood communities in their quest to pursue entrepreneurship as a means to overcome marginalization due to their economic status, background, or lack of education. We are committed to helping the poor earn additional income to meet their basic and secondary needs to achieve a dignified standard of living and become contributing, self-reliant members of society.

OUR MISSION

To improve the quality of life of marginalized members of society, by providing product development, technical training on enterprise management, and global market access to livelihood communities under the Gifts and Graces brand.

Through a strong partnership with other NGOs and non-profits, and with the help of committed and passionate board of trustees, staff, and supporters who believe in our cause, we help communities and individuals reach their full potential and break free from the cycle of poverty.

OUR VISION Gifts and Graces has a global presence and is the brand of choice for handcrafted quality gifts made by livelihood communities of marginalized members of society.

HOW WE HELP

As a social enterprise that champions livelihood products, Gifts and Graces works together with communities primarily through three key business solutions 1. Product development 2. Market access 3. Capability building on Enterprise management In the short term, market access means more sales and more income for the producers. Product development on the other hand helps producers improve their craft in terms of design and production processes, making their products more marketable and competitive. Enterprise management helps communities deal with supply and production challenges as well as growth and impact. In the long term, these interventions will mean enhanced livelihood programs that will put the NGOs and their beneficiaries on the road to sustainability and poverty reduction. Unlike other fair trade networks and social enterprises which focus on small and medium enterprises, Gifts and Graces is the only social enterprise that partners with NGOs who work with marginalized groups, thereby increasing Gifts and Graces’ penetration of its interventions to a broad range of disadvantaged and underserved communities. Sustainability of the livelihood program may also lead to sustainability of the NGOs’ other programs and interventions e.g. health and education.

OUR PARTNER COMMUNITIES

G&G works with marginalized groups through Non-government Organizations (NGOs), People's Organizations (POs), and Cooperatives. Below is the list of G&G's partners and their beneficiaries. Alay Kapwa Tindahan Convent of the Holy Spirit Development Action for Women FCED Foundation Hardin ng Kalikasan He Cares Foundation Isla sa Kaunlaran Kaakbay Entre-worker Cooperative Kaibhan Inc. Kapitbahayan Kilusang Pinagkaisahan Pag-Asa sa Paglaya Multi-purpose Cooperative Pangarap Foundation Tahanang Walang Hagdanan The Learning Center

Urban poor women Indigenous groups Former migrant workers to Japan Urban poor families Displaced women in Quezon Urban poor men Urban poor men and women Urban poor men and women Urban poor women Urban poor women Urban poor men Former prison inmates Streetchildren Persons with Disabilities Special needs individuals

Each of these communities have from 5 to 50 beneficiaries who participate in their livelihood programs.

ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS

The Gifts and Graces product collection is an eclectic collection because each community represents different skills. Our product categories range from personal accessories to office supplies to special gift sets and baskets. Each Gifts and Graces product is handmade and made in limited quantities. Aside from being great items, each Gifts and Graces product represents the desire and commitment of the groups we work with to seek dignified alternative sources of income. When you buy from Gifts and Graces, you support marginalized families and individuals with their livelihood. The pride, self-esteem, and sense of purpose that comes with work empowers them and helps them become self sufficient and contributing, productive members of society. A gift from Gifts and Graces is a gift that lifts the spirit. Here are just some of our products that are great as gifts and giveaways:

Market! Market! Tarp bag

Throw pillowcases Blue vase series and Coral series

Zen candle set

We also work with clients on special, customized orders for wholesale, special events, and corporate gifts and giveaways.

OUR CLIENTS Gifts and Graces corporate clients include Ayala Land, Inc for whom we made wonderful fruit candles which they placed in wood bowls; Nexus Technologies for whom we put together a special picnic basket of goodies from all over the country, Market! Market! with whom we collaborated into turning their old tarpaulin banners into 4000 bags, and the Shangri-la group of hotels for whom we have made tarpaulin bags, directory hampers, and paper origami stars. Other clients are: ABS-CBN BBDO Celestina Cereo Candles

DTI-NDC HSBC Mandarin Oriental Metrobank Foundation

Philippine Daily Inquirer San Francisco Coffee U. P. System Vic Barba

We also sell on retail at our office/showroom at Unit 131 Mile Long Building, Amorsolo St. Makati, and through select pop-up opportunities in Glorietta and select bazaars such as the American Women’s Bazaar. Soon our products will also be available online at www.giftsandgraces.com

ABOUT FAIR TRADE Fair Trade is an equitable trading partnership between marketers and producers that is based on dialogue, respect, and fairness. Fair trade seeks to give producers, farmers, and low-income artisans protection from exploitation and greater equity in international trade. Fair trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

As an advocate of fair trade, Gifts and Graces promotes and is committed to the following principles of fair trade: 1. Create opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers. 2. Transparency and accountability 3. Capacity building 4. Promoting Fair Trade 5. Payment of a fair price 6. Gender equity 7. Safe working conditions 8. No to child labor 9. Environment consciousness in production 10. Long term relationships with partners

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We welcome and value your support. Here are a few ways that you can get involved. 1. Donate. Make a gift to Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, Inc. in support of our social marketing, technical training, and product development interventions. 2. Commitment to Purchase. G&G can help you manage your gift giving needs. Commit a portion of your gift giving budget to buying alternative products. 3. Volunteer. Share your time and talent with us at G&G or with the partner community whose cause is closest to your heart. 4. Advocate. Help us spread the word to family, friends, and colleagues about who we are and what we do. Be an advocate for fair trade and social entrepreneurship.

Volunteer Darlyn Ty conducts a lecture/workshop on Record Keeping and Financial Reports During the recently held Gifts and Graces lecture series for its community partners.

THE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS BEHIND GIFTS AND GRACES Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez, G&G President President and CEO, Philippine Daily Inquirer. As a social entrepreneur, Sandy is committed to corporate social responsibility and she has led the Inquirer into becoming a leading practitioner of CSR. Sandy has received numerous awards for her achievements in business, public service, and her work for various advocacies and is known for her passion for volunteerism and for her role in various non-profit organizations. Mary Margaret Macasaet-Barro, G&G Corporate Secretary Marge's career in development work spans over a decade and she has been Executive Director of various non-profits including League of Corporate Foundations, Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation and Katutubong Filipino Foundation. Marge also worked as project consultant for the Department of Education's Library Hub Project. Victoria P. Garchitorena, G&G Board Chair President, Ayala Foundation. Ms. Vicky is a founding trustee and current Chair of the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) and is Chair of the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). She also served as Senior Consultant on Poverty Alleviation and Good Governance under the Office of the President. Ms. Vicky is a staunch supporter of community based livelihood initiatives of NGOs. Her extensive experience in social development gives her a unique perspective for helping livelihood groups on the path to empowerment. Mary Elizabeth L. Gustilo, Board Member President, Lowe Inc. Mariles lives and breathes advertising and branding. At Lowe Inc., a member of Lowe Worldwide, Mariles has worked with companies such as Unilever, San Miguel Corporation, and J&J and she has steered Lowe into the top 5 advertising agencies in the country. Mariles is committed to using her skills in management, creativity, and branding to help G&G help its partner communities. Marivic Puyat-Limcaoco, Board Member Managing Director, Magoo's Pizza Marivic is actively involved in the family's Kawayan Cove project. Marivic also spearheaded the publishing of the Assumption High School Class of '79 cookbook which she co-authored. Marivic's innate creativity and talent for innovation are evident in all her projects and activities. With G&G, Marivic's sharp eye as a consumer, together with her creativity and enthusiasm, makes her the perfect person to guide G&G's product development and merchandising. Francisco Bernardo III, Board Member Chairman, JAD Group of Companies, Jay founded JAD, a conglomerate of several strategically aligned outsourcing businesses in manufacturing, logistics, and distribution, after completing his MBA at AIM. Jay has received numerous awards for his business accomplishments, and he is a moving force in promoting entrepreneurship in the country. Jay's advocacy and passion for entrepreneurship led him to G&G where Jay inspires with his visionary and innovative business ideas to grow G&G as a social enterprise. Thelma San Juan, Board Member Lifestyle Editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer Thelma is the newest addition to the Gifts and Graces board. Thelma is Lifestyle Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Previously she was the Creative General Manager of ABS CBN Publications. Thelma uses her experience in publishing and writing to help G&G come up with a communication and PR to promote the G&G brand.

Love Gregorie M. Perez, Executive Director Greg graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Biology and went on to build

her experience in sales, marketing, and event management. Her passion for helping the less fortunate led her to work in the field of social development. She has worked in direct service with the urban poor in depressed communities in microfinance, livelihood, as well as fund raising and volunteer management. Greg joined G&G in November 2006. In 2008 Greg was recognized by the Asia Society Philippine Foundation as one of the most promising young leaders of the country, naming her a Fellow of the Class of 2008-2009 of the Philippines 21 Young Leaders Program. Margaret Obligacion, Designer Marge is an accomplished designer. Her items are being sold at select retail stores in the country. Marge also has experience in auditing livelihood communities in connection with her work with CITEM (Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions).