When marginalized people have dignified opportunities to earn a fair wage...
Revenue reinvested in perpetuating our maker-to-market mission
Impact: Everyone thrives
We know it works because we’ve been there. Our average buying relationship with artisan groups is 20 years. That’s enough time to see their children grow into adulthood and to see the impact this maker-to-market movement has created.
2002
Rina Dewri, fairly paid artisan at Prokritee in Bangladesh, with daughter Antara starting school
2017
Rina Dewri in her 24th year of working at Prokritee, and daughter Antara studying to become a nurse
Today, Ten Thousand Villages impacts tens of thousands of people –artisans and their families – who without the work and investment we provide, would likely remain caught in a cycle of poverty. Instead, sustainable development practices are growing financial stability and igniting social change.
20+
developing countries
75+
artisan partner groups
20K+
makers
60%
are women
$110M
in international artisan investments over the last 19 years
75+
years’ experience as a fair trade leader
WHY TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES?
Our mission is based on perpetuating maker investments and programs.
Revenue applied to administration and other costs
We are the experts.
A pioneer in fair trade, Ten Thousand Villages has more than 75 years of small-to-medium enterprise funding and fair trade know-how. We are a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization, and we have a proven approach to social transformation through the sustainable development goals we helped to author.
A time-tested, trusted partner.
Unlike traditional retailers, we do not abandon artisan partners or redefine fair pricing when markets demand change, trends shift, or economic health declines. Our enduring partnerships with artisans – some for more than three decades – mean that makers trust us. You can, too.
We get results.
The history of artisan partners shows that we have broken the cycle of generational poverty and enabled sustainable development opportunities for tens of thousands of artisans globally. Our direct, non-interest bearing, upfront amounts to $99 million in international artisan purchases.