Lululemon launches Centre For Social Impact

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Oct 11, 2021

Lululemon Athletica announced on Friday the launch of its Centre for Social Impact created to support physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

Through the Centre, Lululemon aims to positively impact more than 10 million people globally by 2025 with a commitment to Invest $75 Million into Equitable Wellbeing Programs.

To start a $5 million investment will be distributed across a number of new and long-term local grassroots partners through Lululemon’s Here to Be grant program as well as global and national non-profits, including The Girls Opportunity Alliance, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), as well as The Trevor Project. 

It said it will invest in removing barriers through philanthropy, research, and advocacy to support physical, mental, and social wellbeing across its local and global communities. The Centre will also consolidate Lululemon’s existing social impact programs.

“At Lululemon, we believe everyone has the right to be well and we know the path to wellbeing is possible when tools, support, and resources are accessible to all,” said Esther Speck, Lululemon VP of global sustainability and social impact.

“Through Lululemon’s Centre for Social Impact, we will leverage our expertise, resources, and communities to advocate for the wellbeing of those most impacted by systemic inequity around the world.”

Currently as part of its philanthropic efforts, the Vancouver-based athleisure brand has launched an annual Global Wellbeing Report, mental health first aid training for Lululemon employees, the Here to Be grant program, and the Peace on Purpose collaboration with the United Nations Foundation. 

Since its launch in 2016, Lululemon’s Here to Be program has supported over 750 non-profit organizations with grants amounting to $25 million, touching more than 1 million people, while Peace on Purpose has provided thousands of UN workers with mindfulness and self-care tools for their physical and mental health since 2019.

“Looking to the future, Lululemon’s support will help ensure that we are able to lead a series of community-level, multi-disciplinary projects that will provide an elevated response for mental health issues facing our communities,” added Katrina Gay, chief development officer, NAMI.