Lilly Pulitzer is proud to contribute a meaningful charitable donation as a part of Oxford Industries’ multi-year commitment to combat racial inequality in childhood education. Oxford’s commitment provides for an additional $1 million of support over the next four years, to help local communities address economic and racial inequality by improving access to quality education for youth in under-resourced communities. Of that, Lilly Pulitzer will provide $75,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America as the honorable recipient of its first grant. This funding will support Boys & Girls Clubs of America to be the sunshine for all youth who enter the Club’s doors.
“At Lilly Pulitzer, we are on a mission to make the world a happier place, one print at a time. We are proud to enhance our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America through this grant,” said Michelle Kelly, CEO of Lilly Pulitzer. “We are inspired by their mission to provide a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach for every young person who walks through its doors. We look forward to doing meaningful work together in our brand’s hometown.”
This commitment builds upon long-lasting regional relationships and will empower Boys & Girls Clubs of America to further its programs that support racial equity, as a part of
the organization’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and is deeply engrained in its mission to help youth reach their full potentials. In addition, the grant will support the Clubs’ Career Bound & Creative Arts programming in the Greater Philadelphia area, and Southeast Florida, home to the Lilly Pulitzer home office and the roots of the Lilly Pulitzer brand.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is grateful for the support from Lilly Pulitzer. I foresee that this new partnership will only grow stronger since Palm Beach County is the birthplace of this iconic brand,” said Jaene Miranda, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. “Through this generous donation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County will provide much-needed resources to teen members, ensuring that they graduate high school on time and have a plan for the future.”
The grant specifically helps fund the following programs:
- Boys & Girls Clubs racial equity strategies and programs: which work to advance racial equity, as part of the organization’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Career Bound Program: In addition to providing year-over-year scholarships, Career Bound case managers have helped graduating teens secure over $1.3 million in scholarships annually for post-secondary education.
- Creative Arts: Works to help bridge the ‘creativity gap.’ Research shows participation in the arts is tied to positive outcomes ranging from greater self-esteem to higher rates of college attendance. But 50% of the lowest income elementary schools lack an arts classroom, indicating an opportunity gap in arts education. Boys & Girls Clubs of America aims to close that gap by providing equitable access to arts experiences to help youth achieve great futures. Including:
- Visual (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Pastel)
- Performing (Drama, Dance, Music, Spoken Word)
- Digital (Graphic Design, Digital Music, Digital Photography)
- Applied (Fashion Design, Jewelry Making, Culinary Arts)
In addition to this grant, certain participating Lilly Pulitzer retail stores will host an all-day Community Giving event on August 14, 2021 where 10% of the purchase price of product sold will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of America (with a minimum donation commitment of $10,000 and a maximum donation of $20,000). Additionally, the stores will be hosting a school supply donation drive and offering a 10% discount to all students and teachers. For further information, please contact your local store, or visit https://www.lillypulitzer.com/store-services.html.
