Soles4Souls $1 Billion in Economic Impact by 2030

Summary

In 2024, Soles4Souls (S4S) committed to launch a $1 billion economic impact project to build income-generating opportunities for impoverished communities. Over the next five years, S4S will expand the 4Opportunity model into five countries with a high need for poverty alleviation, including Belize, Chile, Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and one country in sub-Saharan Africa. This program will help create sustainable income opportunities for entrepreneurs in low-income countries by preparing them to launch and sustain their own small businesses selling repurposed gently used shoes and clothing. By helping to extend the life of shoes and clothing, S4S aims to reduce waste and mitigate environmental impact. The program empowers individuals to start small businesses selling these repurposed items, which improves living standards and offers an opportunity to build generational wealth and reduce poverty.

Approach

Through its 4Opportunity program, Soles4Souls commits to creating economic opportunities for entrepreneurs in low-income countries by preparing them to launch and sustain their own small businesses selling shoes and clothing. Soles4Souls will expand the 4Opportunity program to new regions with high poverty alleviation needs, specifically targeting new countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The program aims to support approximately 2,100 entrepreneurs over the next three years.
Soles4Souls collects new and gently used shoes and clothing from corporations and individuals, extending the life of these goods by over 15 months. These items are offered at a 60-80 percent discount to market rates, making them accessible and allowing entrepreneurs to generate sustainable income. The organization partners with vetted NGO partners in low-income countries who recruit local entrepreneurs, provide business training, facilitate product distribution, and manage ongoing program operations.
Soles4Souls provides expertise in product sourcing and distribution, test products, financial assistance, and initial program management. Program implementation is adapted to the context and climate of each location to maximize effectiveness and impact. The benefits of the 4Opportunity program extend beyond creating business opportunities to include job generation and education. As operations grow, both partners and entrepreneurs hire more people, leading to both direct and indirect employment. Consequently, the impact of this program is multifaceted, affecting economic and social dimensions.
Potential challenges include logistical hurdles and economic or political instability of the target countries. Soles4Souls addresses these challenges through continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies.

Action Plan

The term of Soles4Souls’ commitment spans FY25 through FY30 (7/1/24 – 6/30/30) . Implementation steps are structured annually, detailing the expansion into new regions and the number of entrepreneurs impacted each year.
FY 25: launch the program in Chile and Belize, targeting 30 entrepreneurs in Chile and 20 in Belize. In Africa, assessments will establish partnerships in one new country. In Asia, the program will focus in Philippines on 50 entrepreneurs. In DR, the program will expand to develop 30 entrepreneurs.
FY 26: expand the program in Chile and Belize, targeting 60 entrepreneurs in Chile and 25 in Belize. In Africa, the program will launch in the assessed country, targeting 50 entrepreneurs. In the Philippines, the program will expand, adding 50 entrepreneurs. In DR, the program will expand an additional 35 entrepreneurs.
FY 27: further expansion will occur targeting 100 entrepreneurs in Chile and 25 in Belize. In Africa, the program will expand and start new assessments, targeting 80 entrepreneurs. In the Philippines, the program expands to an additional 50 entrepreneurs. In DR, program expands with additional 40 entrepreneurs
FY 28: expansion will continue targeting 150 entrepreneurs in Chile and 30 in Belize. In Africa, the program will expand to a new country, targeting 125 entrepreneurs. In the Philippines, the program will continue to expand, targeting 50 entrepreneurs. In DR, the program expands with additional 30 entrepreneurs.
FY 29: expansion will continue in Chile and Belize, targeting 200 entrepreneurs in Chile and 40 in Belize. In Africa, the program will expand in existing countries, targeting 150 entrepreneurs. In the Philippines, the program will continue to expand, targeting 50 entrepreneurs. In DR additional 30 entrepreneurs are added.
FY 30: the program will further expand in Chile and Belize, targeting 270 entrepreneurs in Chile and 50 in Belize. In Africa, the program will target 200 entrepreneurs. In the Philippines, the program will target 50 entrepreneurs. In DR additional 30 entrepreneurs are added.

Background

Since 2006, Soles4Souls (S4S) has turned more than 103 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing into opportunities through its four program areas: 4Opportunity, 4Relief, 4EveryKid and 4ThePlanet. These programs are guided by S4S’s theory of impact, which focuses on three core principles: 1) serve those in need, 2) create opportunity, and 3) protect the environment. These principles ensure that the mission not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term, sustainable change. This work creates economic impact and generates significant social outcomes, such as improved living standards and reduced poverty. Additionally, by extending the life of shoes and clothing, the program contributes to reducing waste and mitigating environmental impact.
In developing countries, individuals living in poverty struggle to find stable sources of income, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. The primary challenge this commitment aims to address is the lack of income-generating opportunities for impoverished communities. Soles4Souls’ 4Opportunity program targets this issue by repurposing gently used shoes and clothing to create sustainable income opportunities for people in need. The program empowers individuals to start small businesses selling these repurposed items, employing a “hand-up, not handout” framework. By collaborating with nearly twenty partner agencies across 53 countries, 4Opportunity has successfully created jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities.
The program works with both for-profit and non-profit partners to establish a sustainable revenue model, ensuring donated products are directed to the right markets and communities. Direct partners, typically local NGOs, focus on improving the lives of children, women, and families through consistent product supply, business training, and support during crises.
By strengthening existing partnerships and expanding the 4Opportunity model to new countries, Soles4Souls aims to amplify its impact, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty and creating $1billion in economic impact by 2030

Progress Update

Partnership Opportunities

Soles4Souls is seeking partnerships with well-established, non-profit entities in developing countries to expand the impact of its program. The organization aims to collaborate with local entities that possess a deep understanding of the socio-economic, cultural, and contextual realities of the regions targeted for future operations. These partnerships are essential for ensuring the transparency and effectiveness necessary to achieve meaningful impact. Soles4Souls also is interested in making connections that are interested to help fund our 4Opportunity expansion as well as those who can provide micro-enterprise shared knowledge and expertise., Soles4Souls offers extensive experience working with partners in low-income countries with varying levels of complexity. The organization provides a proven model that generates significant economic and social impact, helping to break the cycle of poverty. Soles4Souls empowers individuals by providing them with the tools and opportunities to improve their own lives and create sustainable change. Contributions include logistical support, expertise in product sourcing and distribution, and continuous interactive support throughout program execution, ensuring a collaborative approach to effective solutions.

By partnering with Soles4Souls, organizations gain access to valuable resources and knowledge that have consistently led to successful program implementation and meaningful community benefits. Additionally, Soles4Souls’ work aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that partnerships contribute to global sustainable development goals.

Partnering with Soles4Souls means joining a network dedicated to creating sustainable change and empowering communities worldwide.