• Company: Image Outfitters (asi/230088)
• Location: Stowe, VT
• Giveback Model: Proceeds donated through iShare program

After the 2008 economic recession, nonprofits and charities across the globe were going underfunded because donations had dropped precipitously. Esbert Cardenas, the president of Image Outfitters, decided to use his distributorship to change that.

He established the iShare program in 2016, which gives new clients the opportunity to choose an organization to which Image Outfitters would then donate up to 10% of the order back. Since then, they’ve given $185,000 to almost 200 different charities.

“It’s so satisfying,” says Cardenas. “The organizations have to write us a letter confirming receipt of funds, and to read about where the money is going is a rush better than closing deals.”

“To read about where the money is going is a rush better than closing deals.”Esbert Cardenas, Image Outfitters

In 2014, Cardenas and his wife Kirsten, the company’s vice president, decided to become a B Corp; through a lengthy certification process, they’re now legally bound to meet high standards in their social and environmental commitments and transparency.

To expand the iShare program, Image Outfitters recently chose seven charities with which to establish formal partnerships. That means the selected charities will recommend Image Outfitters to their nonprofit partners for the latter’s promotional needs. “In essence, we’re becoming marketing arms of each other,” says Cardenas. “I’d love to get to $2 million donated.”