Avon is proud to be the leading corporate supporter of the breast cancer cause, and the Avon Foundation is the largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy for women.
The Avon Foundation for Women is unique in that, since it was founded in 1955, it has been generously supported by Avon Products, Inc., but in 2006 the Foundation fully transitioned to public charity status. This status, which makes it a 501(c)(3) accredited charity, is because more than half of the revenue is from public donations and events. Prior to this transition, the Avon Foundation operated as a private foundation. In addition to effective public fundraising, the Avon Foundation also receives significant support from Avon Products, Inc., including cash donations; underwriting the salaries, expenses and costs of running the Avon Foundation; support for marketing and advertising; and additional pro bono support from its diverse corporate staff in a wide variety of disciplines, such as finance, marketing, communications, IT and more.
Avon also markets affordable fundraising products, such as jewelry, candles and apparel, through its Representatives around the world. To provide complete transparency, the exact amount of the donation is disclosed in all promotional literature. With rare exceptions, Avon donates all proceeds above the cost of manufacturing the product.
The success of this unique Foundation model is evident in the expansion of Avon philanthropic efforts. In addition to impactful efforts in the U.S., Avon global philanthropy supports programs in more than 50 countries, serving as a worldwide change agent in both the breast cancer and domestic violence causes. This global impact is driven by a shared mission combined with creative and effective local programs implemented in each country. Click here to see selected case studies of Avon philanthropic programs worldwide.
Through 2008, Avon global philanthropy, including efforts of the Avon Foundation and Avon Products, Inc. in more than 50 countries, has raised and awarded $660 million, and the goal is to reach $1 billion by the end of 2012.