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Top 100 Charity Trends of 2012

From Philanthropic Pinterest Promos to Sight-Impaired Simulations

— December 28, 2012 — Social Good
What once was perceived as a dark and serious industry saw a major makeover this year, as proven by these charity trends. For a long time, the concept of charity was seen as one based solely in sadness; however, the 2012 version of philanthropy found its foundation in fun and giving out of the good of one's heart.

This is best exemplified through such community-driven initiatives as philanthropic Pinterest promos and dare-based fundraising. Particularly with the latter, some of these trailblazing charity trends flipped the industry on its head by taking a fun approach to more serious topics.

Whether you're just dipping your toe into the world of charity and thus, flipping through these charity micro trends casually, or working in the social good industry and looking for something more in-depth like our Charity Trend Report, you're sure to be surprised by what you find.
5.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Accidental Robot Barbers
Accidental Robot Barbers
The MA-UGV is Not Likely to be Your Next Go-To Barber
<
99
Musical Smoking Deterrents
Musical Smoking Deterrents
CPAA Use Music Associated With Death to Fight Cancer
<
98
Socially Responsible Snail-Mail
Socially Responsible Snail-Mail
The Global Peace-Pal Program Uses Art to Break Down Barriers
<
97
Fashionable Fortune-Telling Tops
Fashionable Fortune-Telling Tops
The Mother's Psychic T-Shirts are Cleverly Clairvoyant Clot
<
96
Charitable Pastry Initiatives
Charitable Pastry Initiatives
The Pie Drive Aims to Raise Money for a Good Holiday Cause
<
95
Plush Tribute Toys
Plush Tribute Toys
The iCEO Steve Jobs Doll is Charitable
<
94
Philanthropic Celebrity Comparisons
Philanthropic Celebrity Comparisons
The Charitable Lifestyle Infographic Shows Giving A-Listers
<
93
Rewarding Product Referrals
Rewarding Product Referrals
Mulu Lets You Recommend Products for Cash or Charitable Donations
<
92
Senior-Focused Social Campaigns
Senior-Focused Social Campaigns
Team v Battles Loneliness & Isolation Among the Elderly
<
91
Ape Fundraising Films
Ape Fundraising Films
The Disney Chimpanzee Movie Helps the Jane Goodall Foundation
<
90
Edible Charity Cribs
Edible Charity Cribs
The Alma-nac Gingerbread House was Created to Raise Funds for a Hospital
<
89
Interactive Holiday Charity Windows
Interactive Holiday Charity Windows
The Christmas Wish Machine Creates Snowflakes Out of Tweets
<
88
Literal Buzzworthy Bracelets
Literal Buzzworthy Bracelets
The Jenny Bird 'Bracelet for the Bees' is Charitably Sweet
<
87
Whale-Saving Winter Wear
Whale-Saving Winter Wear
The Agga B. 'Flying Giants' Set is Socially Responsible Style
<
86
Flying Feline Campaigns
Flying Feline Campaigns
The ASPCA 'Hovercat' Ad Makes the Most of Cat Memes
<
85
Retailer Fashion Recycling Programs
Retailer Fashion Recycling Programs
Marks & Spencer 'Clothes Exchange' Project
<
84
Deliberately Delayed Orders
Deliberately Delayed Orders
The ONIRIA/TBWA Campaign for Hunger Tests Customer's Patience
<
83
Naughty Grooming Ads
Naughty Grooming Ads
The Julyna 2012 Campaign Raises Awareness of Cervical Cancer
<
82
Sight-Impaired Simulating Projects
Sight-Impaired Simulating Projects
YouAreBlind.Com Challenged Creative Teams to Lose Their Vision
<
81
Philanthropic Flag Fashions
Philanthropic Flag Fashions
The Gucci ‘GG Flag’ Collection in Association with UNICEF
<
80
Bloody Flow Chart Ads
Bloody Flow Chart Ads
The Armstrong Foundation Campaign is Dark and Brutal
<
79
Social Good Body Stamps
Social Good Body Stamps
‘The Temporary Tattoo Project' Makes Socially Responsible Tatt
<
78
Supercharged Social Media Activism
Supercharged Social Media Activism
The Kony 2012 Video Looks to Save "Invisible Children"
<
77
Sustainable Water-Carrying Vessels
Sustainable Water-Carrying Vessels
The BackthePack WaterWear Bag Has Sustainability in Mind
<
76
Charitable Virtual Gifts
Charitable Virtual Gifts
Buy a Present from the Cabinet of Dreams & Support Women's Aid
<
75
Multitasking Workout Accessories
Multitasking Workout Accessories
The Clean Bottle 'Runner' Stores Valuables for Joggers
<
74
Clothing Canvased Buildings
Clothing Canvased Buildings
'Shwopping' by Marks & Spencer is a Project to Help End Poverty
<
73
Philanthropic Pinterest Promos
Philanthropic Pinterest Promos
The Elizabeth Arden 'Pin It to Give It' Campaign is Charitable
<
72
Intergenerational Poverty Ads
Intergenerational Poverty Ads
Girl Hub in Nigeria Promotes Speech Without Words
<
71
Melodic Audio Artwork (UPDATE)
Melodic Audio Artwork (UPDATE)
Jazz Up Your Home with These Bespoken Art Prints
<
70
Scaly Educational Sculptures
Scaly Educational Sculptures
The Muju Ocean Guardians are Charitable and Promote Environmentalism
<
69
Amnesty Equation Ads
Amnesty Equation Ads
The Brazilian Red Cross: Plus Sign Campaign Captures Charitable Efforts
<
68
Festive Facial Hair Infographics
Festive Facial Hair Infographics
The Moustache Styles Infographic Makes Movember Memorable
<
67
Stuffed Couture Pups
Stuffed Couture Pups
Fashion Designers Create Pug Dog Looks for Charity
<
66
Angelic Donor Ads
Angelic Donor Ads
The Centraide of Greater Montreal Campaign Shows 'Donating is Uplifting'
<
65
Real Life Superheros
Real Life Superheros
Lenny 'Batman' Robinson Dons Dark Knight Garb to Cheer Up Sick Kids
<
64
Creative Catharsis Posters
Creative Catharsis Posters
Sharp Suits by Mark & Paddy Visualizes Ridiculous Client Feedback
<
63
Storm Relief Sunglasses
Storm Relief Sunglasses
The Shwood Recovery Initiative Shades Aid Hurricane Sandy Recovery Efforts
<
62
Invisible Children Ads
Invisible Children Ads
The Ponteio Lar Shopping Campaign Asks for Warm Clothes Donations
<
61
Exaggerated Expression Portraits
Exaggerated Expression Portraits
Emotions by Luis F Salazar Raises Money for School Benefit
<
60
Typographic Homeless Ads
Typographic Homeless Ads
The Salvation Army 2012 Campaign Shows What the Unhoused Truly Lack
<
59
Charitable Cartoon Causes
Charitable Cartoon Causes
The Terminally Illin’ Comic Book Stands Up to Cancer
<
58
Web-Induced Activism Stats
Web-Induced Activism Stats
Social Change by Social Media is Explored in This Infographic
<
57
Dual-Face Seeing Ads
Dual-Face Seeing Ads
The Sankara Eye Care Institutions Campaign Gives to the Needy
<
56
$37,500 Diamond Collars
$37,500 Diamond Collars
The Karl Lagerfeld Collar Decadently Designed
<
55
Socially Savvy Suede Sneakers
Socially Savvy Suede Sneakers
The Sole What Design Sells for a Good Cause
<
54
Charitable Children's Collections
Charitable Children's Collections
The H & M 'All for Children' Line Donates Proceeds to UNICEF
<
53
Skull-Adorned Friendship Bracelets
Skull-Adorned Friendship Bracelets
Threads of Friendship Releases the Diamond Dust Collection
<
52
Socially Connected Activism
Socially Connected Activism
The Social Media and Social Change Infographic Explains Modern Means
<
51
Hero-Inspired Automobiles
Hero-Inspired Automobiles
The Justice League Kia Cars Fight Against Hunger
<
50
Charitable Celebrity Tree Decorations
Charitable Celebrity Tree Decorations
Christopher Radko and Celebrities Decorate for a Great Cause
<
49
Charitable Bike Chain Branding
Charitable Bike Chain Branding
KMC Pink Lady Packaging Promotes Two Purchases with One Stroke
<
48
Socially Responsible Sportswear
Socially Responsible Sportswear
Puma Wilderness Collection Offers Eco-Friendly & Fair Trade Items
<
47
Designer Chair Auctions
Designer Chair Auctions
The BIG Chair Project Raises Funds for the Better Food Foundation
<
46
Deadly Fruit Sculptures
Deadly Fruit Sculptures
'Black Grapes of Wrath' by Ludo is Freakishly Beautiful
<
45
Poverty-Fighting Purses
Poverty-Fighting Purses
The Sass & Bide ITC Project Promotes Ethnical Fashion and Social Good
<
44
Royal Headwear Replicas
Royal Headwear Replicas
QVC's 'Imperial State Crown' is Set to Be Auctioned off for Charity
<
43
Mini Park Libraries
Mini Park Libraries
Fundalectura Creates PPP Program to Give Columbians Access to Books
<
42
Indie Singer Sneakers
Indie Singer Sneakers
The Keep + Bon Iver Shoe is Being Released to Help Support Animals
<
41
Philanthropic Beard Portrayals
Philanthropic Beard Portrayals
Justin James Muir Uses Artwork to Raise Money for Cancer Research
<
40
Seductive Custom Decks
Seductive Custom Decks
The 3X1 Denim/Ben Watts Skateboards are Flashy and Charitable
<
39
Cancer-Combating Cross-Dressing
Cancer-Combating Cross-Dressing
The ‘Tutu Project' Raises Awarenes by Turning Heads
<
38
Non-Profit Skater Goods
Non-Profit Skater Goods
The Good Wood 'Skateboard Art Exhibition' Benefit Skate Park
<
37
Serene Bare Skin Yearbooks
Serene Bare Skin Yearbooks
The Naked Muse Calender for 2012 Features Serene Male Captures
<
36
Charitable Collaborative Bicycles
Charitable Collaborative Bicycles
The Biascagne Cicli x Riccardo Guasco ForGood Fixie is Pro Bono
<
35
Socially Conscious Timepieces
Socially Conscious Timepieces
The Purchase of a 1:Face Watch Brings Awareness to Global Issues
<
34
Governator-Inspired Timepieces
Governator-Inspired Timepieces
The Schwarzenegger Military Tank Watch is Elegant and Robust
<
33
Toilet Paper Runways
Toilet Paper Runways
The White Cashmere Collection 2012 Fashion with Compassion Show
<
32
Luxurious Socially Conscious Tees
Luxurious Socially Conscious Tees
Yoox.com’s Socially Conscious Apparel Gives Fashion a Kind
<
31
Wondrous Wildlife Wardrobes
Wondrous Wildlife Wardrobes
'Pandamonium' by WWF is a Collection of Chic World Issue Costumes
<
30
High Volume Charity Ads
High Volume Charity Ads
The New Actionaid Speakers Campaign Effectively Delivers its Message
<
29
Thumbprint Bear Portraits
Thumbprint Bear Portraits
The Coca-Cola Arctic Home Campaign Promotes Donations by Texts
<
28
Burgeoning Pigment Branding
Burgeoning Pigment Branding
Here We Grow Paint Packaging References the Product's Grass Roots
<
27
Predatory Fish Shades
Predatory Fish Shades
Knockaround Shark Attack Glasses Were Designed by Grade Schoolers
<
26
Intergalactic Droid Slip-Ons
Intergalactic Droid Slip-Ons
Star Wars Custom TOMS Shoes Suit Up Sci-Fi Style
<
25
Heart-Shaped Wine Racks
Heart-Shaped Wine Racks
Vino Vitae by Axel Yberg is Made for Cancer Survivors
<
24
Food Sculpture Charity Projects
Food Sculpture Charity Projects
San Francisco Canstruction Helps Hungry People in Need
<
23
Bejeweled Luxury Rides
Bejeweled Luxury Rides
The Crystal-Covered Rolls Royce is Adorned with Over a Million Gems
<
22
Endangered Animal Covers
Endangered Animal Covers
The Adorable ‘Anicase' iPhone Designs are Eco-Conscious
<
21
Defaced Billboard Marketing
Defaced Billboard Marketing
African Angel Scratch Advertising Immediately Gains Donations
<
20
Stylishly Studded Knapsacks
Stylishly Studded Knapsacks
The Copson ST x Eastpack Marries the West Coast With the East
<
19
Happy Face Hour-Counters
Happy Face Hour-Counters
Moody Watches Turn Mental Health into the Topic of the Minute
<
18
Curvy Pixelated Seating
Curvy Pixelated Seating
The Water Tower Chair is Made from Reclaimed New York Timber
<
17
Reimagined Sci-Fi Helmets
Reimagined Sci-Fi Helmets
Rehashed Star Wars Helms by ‘As You Wish Helmet Project'
<
16
Bottle Cap Sun Illuminators
Bottle Cap Sun Illuminators
The 'WakaWaka' Solar Lamp Provides a Day of Light on a Single Charge
<
15
Extravagant Superhero Automobiles
Extravagant Superhero Automobiles
Kia Justice League Cars are Made After Comic Book Characters
<
14
Chic Charitable Stuffed Animals
Chic Charitable Stuffed Animals
The Vogue Pudsey Bear Donates Funds to Children in Need
<
13
Elegant Bomb-Recycled Jewelry
Elegant Bomb-Recycled Jewelry
Upcycled Jewelry from Saught is Made from Shrapnel
<
12
Popped Bottle Purses
Popped Bottle Purses
Bottletop Handbags Use Recycled Soda Lids to Create Swanky Goods
<
11
Propaganda Poster Drinking Ads
Propaganda Poster Drinking Ads
The UNICEF Tap Project Campaign Promotes Paying for Tap Water
<
10
Recycled Bicycle Art Competitions
Recycled Bicycle Art Competitions
The pART PROJECT Makes Use of Discarded Materials
<
9
Charitable Holiday Pullovers (UPDATE)
Charitable Holiday Pullovers (UPDATE)
Tipsy Elves Ugly Christmas Sweaters Give Back
<
8
Couture Coke Containers
Couture Coke Containers
Coca Cola Tribute to Fashion Raises Money for Earthquake Victims
<
7
Heart-Wrenching Canine Portraits
Heart-Wrenching Canine Portraits
Traer Scott Captures the Essence of Shelter Dogs
<
6
Interactive Love Installations
Interactive Love Installations
Times Square Heart Sculpture Will Glow & Beat At Your Touch
<
5
Dare-Based Fundraising
Dare-Based Fundraising
CharityKick Produces the Most Daring Charity Fundraising Ideas
<
4
Anime-Inspired Choppers
Anime-Inspired Choppers
The Akiras Kaneda Bike is Rolling Around Japan for Charity
<
3
Pandemic-Fighting Backpacks
Pandemic-Fighting Backpacks
These Designers Against Aids 2012 Eastpak Bags are Quirky and Bold
<
2
Tap Water Packaging
Tap Water Packaging
Faucet Face Urges the Reuse of Bottles to Save the Earth and Aid the Thirsty
<
1
PET Bottle Lighting
PET Bottle Lighting
The Bubble Chandelier by Souda is a Sparkling Eco-Friendly Orb
<