The Etsy Giving Tree

Apple Tree by samsstuff

The Etsy Giving Tree...

Ok, so it's not really a tree, unless you think of Etsy as the trunk, teams as the branches, shops & shop owners as the leaves. The real reason it's a giving tree is in the helpful spirit of the site & its members. There are teams that have given to charities helping out in Haiti & New Orleans, teams & sellers that give to causes like autism awareness or cancer research & recently, sellers have come together to help the people of Christchurch, NZ & Japan. The spirit of giving is in the love & helpfulness of the giver, for the joy of giving & not about the gift. Many  sellers on Etsy have come together to help those in need.  Here are some of the givers on the Etsy tree, check them out, get something great & help out at the same time. Find more givers by using the Etsy search tool:

HOST

Team statement:

Our team runs a shop on Etsy called HOST which stands for Helping Others Street Team. We sell donated items in our shop. Items come from members and some random shops on Etsy that wish to donate to help someone. We have helped by doing needs threads in the forums. Usually these needs threads are during the holiday season. At times we have arranged used clothing to be shipped to someone in need. Our shop proceeds go towards helping with shipping items that have been donated. We have contributed towards sellers shop fees that they were not able to pay. this was to help them remain open and make a small supplement to their income by having an Etsy shop. We have supplied ink for printers. Sometimes life just gets in the way and someone just needs a small boost to keep them going, be it emotional, or financial. We do not make it publicly known that we help out financially, it is done by votes with the members when we find someone needs something.
We are a small team and have also sent out Food Gift cards to some of the shops on Etsy in their time of need. 

Team page: http://www.etsy.com/teams/6423/host-helping-others-street-team

Team shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HOST?ref=seller_info

Etsy for Charity Team

Team statement:

Hand-making A Difference! Etsy for Charity (EFC) is a team of artists, from all over the world, who gather together under a unified name (EtsyForCharity), helping out and promoting any charitable activities. They will generate funds from their own shop and making donations to their favorite charities.

Team page: http://www.etsy.com/teams/6364/etsy-for-charity

Etsy for Autism

Team statement: Every one of us has some connection to the Autism Spectrum in one way or another. Some of us sell our handmade goods and items that cater to the needs of the ASD & the Special Needs community. Others are trying to recover some of the expenses that come with having a child with Autism. Some of us have autism and would like to share with the world, our perspectives and our creativity through our Arts and abilities. One thing we all have in common is to raise awareness of the Autism Spectrum.

Many of us donate portions of our sales to our favorite Autism Awareness organizations. We have links and Resource/Donation lists. We all realize the expenses incurred in a family affected by Autism.

Our team is very unique, low key, and was created to provide a community and a platform from which we can share stories, experiences, advice, support & ideas with each other while we navigate this ocean of treatments & therapies, in addition to nurturing and comforting one another during those “melt-down” seasons that we are all familiar with...and maybe help some great organizations along the way!

http://www.etsy.com/teams/6356/etsy-for-autism

The Createabilty Team

Team statement: We are a group of artists and sellers either with disabilities ourselves, or caregivers of disabled people, who may use art and Etsy as "therapy" and our link to network with others. Create + Ability = Createability!

Our mission is to form partnerships for building our businesses, support each other, and encourage growth within the Etsy and artist community. We choose to take back control of the terms used around our various conditions, and hope to bring knowledge and awareness to those around us. 

http://www.etsy.com/teams/5732/createability-team

Sellers that give:

Japanese Disaster Relief T by Ahpeele
Our hearts are broken.
100% of the profit from this shirt will go to the japanese red cross.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the final destination of the proceeds.
The text on the shirt says "the sun will rise again"
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70228104/japanese-disaster-relief-t

Christchurch Earthquake Red Cross Donation Print by chriswaind

This print represents Mount Cook (Aoraki) the highest mountain in New Zealand, and an icon of the south island.
All proceeds from this print sale will go to the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal - to support those affected by the recent Christchurch earthquake.
This will fund the New Zealand Red Cross response to the disaster, including transport and provision of goods. As weeks go by, different needs will be identified and Red Cross, there for the long haul with your help, will be meeting them. 
http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate
It is New Zealand's greatest time of need. Please help us get through this tragedy.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57333330/christchurch-earthquake-red-cross

givemoney2curecancer

shop statement: I have a begun crafting for a CURE. I lost my sister Robin after a 11 year battle to breast cancer, at the age of 40. She lived everyday with inspiring passion and an unbelievable strength. At her passing I vowed to do all that was in my power to help find a cure, so that someday her daughters would not have to face this horrible diease. I will donate 100% of my profits to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Just think your purchase could help find a CURE! Thank you!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/givemoney2curecancer?ref=seller_info

CancerKicker

shop statement: All proceeds go to the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center to fund cancer research. If you are interested in donating an item, please convo me. Thank you for your support!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CancerKicker?ref=pr_shop_more

Africanwomenswork

shop statement: MY STORY - After living in Botswana, Africa for nearly three years, my family and I have now moved back to NYS to help the women I worked with by either selling their crafts/products or by bringing awareness of their way of life.
My mission is to enable women (including myself) to live our chosen, desired way of life.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/africanwomenswork?ref=pr_shop_more

3d Heart Butterflies for Japan Relief by BugsLoft
3D Heart Butterflies for JAPAN RELIEF - 10 Butterfly - 100% DONATED to American Red Cross
3D Wall Butterflies - 10 White Butterfly with Red Heart - Sizes: 2" to 4.5" wingspan
This is a series of 10 different 3D Wall Butterflies I special design for JAPAN EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI RELIEF. Each one is cut from recycle color paper cardstock from my art projects....
100% OF ALL SALES GOES TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI RELIEF. 
http://www.redcross.org

samsstuff I donate a portion of each sale to Autism Speaks, a group dedicated to autism research, support & awareness.

Red Hummingbird Love Headband

* The teams & sellers listed here have been chosen solely based on their shop & team statements, no further research has been done. Please give, but give wisely.
Shop listings were written by the shop owners & are from their shops.