Lush has discontinued the Charity Pot to introduce new avenues for charitable contributions.

Co-Founder and CEO Mark Constantine initially launched Charity Pot in April 2007 with the goal of raising £1 million for small charities, campaigning groups, and other worthwhile causes. He envisioned the initiative as a means to support grassroots activists and create “absolute chaos” if the fundraising goal was achieved.

Over the past 17 years, Charity Pot has made significant contributions, accounting for 75% of Lush’s total charitable donations, which exceed £100 million across 17,000 grants. Lush has shared that the Charity Pot in the UK&I has supported numerous dedicated grassroots organizations, including:

• Local anti-fracking groups campaigning against the destructive practice of fracking.
• Initiatives promoting divestment from fossil fuel companies and highlighting the connection between extractivism and colonialism.
• Organizations defending the rights and dignity of refugees and displaced individuals globally.
• The LGBTQI+ community addressing prejudice, discrimination, and hate crimes while advocating for policy changes and solutions for representation and inclusion.
• Nonprofits fighting against racial discrimination, including issues within policing and the criminal justice system.
• Hunt saboteurs using non-violent actions to protect foxes and other wildlife while exposing ongoing hunting practices in the UK despite the ban on hunting with hounds.
• Animal rights activists working against various forms of animal exploitation.

While Charity Pot will be leaving Lush’s shelves at the end of September 2024, Lush emphasizes that its commitment to campaigning and charitable products will continue. Lush has decided that now is the appropriate time to reflect on its charitable giving approach, especially after reaching the milestone of over £100 million in donations, to assess the funding required to tackle the pressing challenges the world currently faces. Lush has announced that Lush has discontinued the Charity Pot to introduce new avenues for charitable contributions.

Courtesy of Lush

The company is entering a new era of giving, with biannual prizes continuing and a focus on supporting human rights, social justice, animal rights, and environmental protection. Charitable products will be created to raise funds for specific causes relevant to current issues. For instance, the Watermelon Slice soap (£6 for 100g) will be available in stores and online, with 100% of the profits going to childhood mental health services in Palestine. Lush has discontinued the Charity Pot to introduce new avenues for charitable contributions.

Additionally, this year Lush plans to launch “Keystone Products,” inspired by keystone species that play crucial roles in maintaining ecosystems. Each Keystone product will raise money for projects in priority landscapes worldwide, with at least one available for purchase at any given time. The first Keystone Product will be announced soon.