Soles4Souls mourns the loss of our CFO and long-time staff member, Robert Adams-Ghee.

See our tribute to him here.

Soles4Souls mourns the loss of our CFO and long-time staff member, Robert Adams-Ghee.

See our tribute to him here.

4Opportunity

Entrepreneurship works

In low-income countries, it’s difficult to escape poverty because long-term work is scarce. Soles4Souls works with like-valued partners in those countries to help people start and grow businesses that sell donated shoes and clothing.

Our impact

Impact beyond income

In 2022, 4Opportunity entrepreneurs increased their household income by 233%, and 92% either purchased a home or saved toward homeownership through selling shoes. 

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Education

87% improved quality education and
regular attendance for their children.

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Leadership

80% assumed at least one
community leadership role.

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Health

92% improved family health
and nutrition.

Education Education-1.svg

Education

87% improved quality education and
regular attendance for their children.

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Leadership

80% assumed at least one
community leadership role.

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Health

92% improved family health
and nutrition.

Curious how much more impact you could make?

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Want to know the personal impact you can make?

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“As a result of selling shoes, I get the chance to live in my own home”

Brice Jemima - Haiti

“As a result of selling shoes, I get the chance to live in my own home”

Brice Jemima - Haiti

“As a result of selling shoes, I get the chance to live in my own home”

Brice Jemima - Haiti

We’re just getting started

Since 2006, together with our partners and donors, we’ve created 1000s of jobs in 53 countries on 5 continents.

Getting Started

“As a result of selling shoes, I get the chance to live in my own home”

Brice Jemima - Haiti

Getting Started

“As a result of selling shoes, I get the chance to live in my own home”

Brice Jemima - Haiti

It’s surprisingly simple

Help someone step out of poverty

The 4Opportunity model is tested, sustainable, and scalable.

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Donations

People donate their own gently used shoes or those they’ve collected through shoe drives, and brands donate excess or returned shoes and clothing.

98% of donations we receive can be put to good use. The rest are disposed of responsibly through a waste-to-energy partner.

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Partnerships

Vetted partners in-country purchase the donated shoes and clothing and resell them at a modest markup to 4Opportunity entrepreneurs and thrift stores.

The wider community benefits, too! Adults and kids have easy access to affordable clothing for work and to attend school—which continues to disrupt the cycle of poverty.

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Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs receive training and ongoing support so they can continue to reinvest in their business and grow.

On average, 4Opportunity entrepreneurs grow their business 1.5x every two years. Many of them even hire others in their community, which broadens the circle of impact.

Item list S4S_D_Numbers_4

Families

Having a sustainable income means entrepreneurs can can better meet their family’s basic needs.

The wider community benefits, too! Adults and kids have easy access to affordable clothing for work and to attend school—which continues to disrupt the cycle of poverty.

S4S_D_Numbers_1 Item list

Donations

People donate their own gently used shoes or those they’ve collected through shoe drives, and brands donate excess or returned shoes and clothing.

98% of donations we receive can be put to good use. The rest are disposed of responsibly through a waste-to-energy partner.

S4S_D_Numbers_2 Item list

Partnerships

Vetted partners in-country purchase the donated shoes and clothing and resell them at a modest markup to 4Opportunity entrepreneurs and thrift stores.

The wider community benefits, too! Adults and kids have easy access to affordable clothing for work and to attend school—which continues to disrupt the cycle of poverty.

S4S_D_Numbers_3 Item list

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs receive training and ongoing support so they can continue to reinvest in their business and grow.

On average, 4Opportunity entrepreneurs grow their business 1.5x every two years. Many of them even hire others in their community, which broadens the circle of impact.

S4S_D_Numbers_4 Item list

Families

Having a sustainable income means entrepreneurs can can better meet their family’s basic needs.

The wider community benefits, too! Adults and kids have easy access to affordable clothing for work and to attend school—which continues to disrupt the cycle of poverty.

Get involved

Kick poverty to the curb

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Donate shoes

Donate your gently loved shoes to extend their life, divert them from landfills, and get them to entrepreneurs who need them.

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Start a Shoe Drive

Whether you collect 100 or 25k pairs, hosting a shoe drive is an easy way to positively impact an entrepreneur and protect our planet.

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Volunteer with us

Join our community of loyal volunteers who inspire others to help turn shoes and clothing into opportunity.

Shoes Shoes-1.svg

Donate shoes

Donate your gently loved shoes to extend their life, divert them from landfills, and get them to entrepreneurs who need them.

IconDonation-Box-Grey Donation-Box-Grey.svg

Start a Shoe Drive

Whether you collect 100 or 25k pairs, hosting a shoe drive is an easy way to positively impact an entrepreneur and protect our planet.

Volunteer-1-2 Volunteer-1-3.svg

Volunteer with us

Join our community of loyal volunteers who inspire others to help turn shoes and clothing into opportunity.

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4ThePlanet

Put your used goods to good use

The U.S. discards over 9 million tons of clothing and footwear annually, harming the environment and impacting economically vulnerable people. By extending the life of shoes and clothing, we help both people and the planet.