Shop for a Cause: New San Francisco Store Makes Philanthropy Fashionable

A new San Francisco boutique is revolutionizing the way women think about buyer's remorse and changing the world at the same time.

Philanthropist, a trendy, upscale Presidio Heights clothing boutique, has done something very fashionable with its profits - donate them to charity. That's right. All of them. 100%.

This amazingly generous concept is the brainchild of partners Jessica Moment and Sally Fowler, two ex-Gap employees who feature well known collections from the likes of Rachel Roy and Zac Posen in their store, as well as designs made by local up-and-coming fashionistas.

Like their clothes, the chosen charity changes with the seasons. The first beneficiary is Raphael House, a non-profit dedicated to helping at-risk children and their families achieve stable housing and financial independence.

There's nothing like changing the world, one stiletto at a time.

Shop for a Cause: Learning is an Art Provides Creative Fun That's Seriously Academic

Learning is an Art (LiA) sells educational toys, games, and DVDs for kids, teens, and adults that encourage learning through creative, hands-on play. The goal is to make learning fun, and to encourage families to play and learn together while also promoting enjoyment, and thus retention, of academics.

Educators and husband and wife team John and Jennifer Fong, co-founders of LiA, feel a calling to help people all over the world. Joined by a team of education and design experts who are also dedicated to the cause, 100% of the profits earned by LiA, after taxes and expenses, are donated to top-rated charities.

LiA also provides a home-based opportunity that allows people to make a difference while earning an income. LiA consultants sell products at home parties, educational workshops, through individual consultant Web sites, fundraisers and more.

LiA supports the following charities: America's Second Harvest - the Nation's Food Bank Network is the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization, with a network of more than 200 member food banks and food-rescue organizations. Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption - the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 140,000 children in North America's foster care systems ready and waiting to be adopted. FINCA International - FINCA provides financial services to the world's lowest-income entrepreneurs so they can create jobs, build assets and improve their standard of living. Physicians for Peace - Physicians for Peace is an international, humanitarian, nonprofit, medical education organization dedicated to building peace and international friendships in developing nations with unmet medical needs and scarce resources through medical education and training, clinical care, and donated medical supplies. READ Foundation - the Reading Excellence and Discovery (READ) Foundation targets economically disadvantaged students and teens in New York City, and employs one-on-one research-based reading instruction to prepare at-risk children to become proficient readers. Toys for Tots - the primary goal of Toys for Tots program is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

To shop product from LiA, go to the games and toys page on Uptown Liz.

Graphic caption: product from LiA.

Ramona Russell of Uptown Liz on FOX News

FOX News was looking for "stress horror stories" from female, business owners; they wanted to know how they dealt with a major stressful event in their lives while owning a business. I had the priveledge of being profiled for this story, where I shared how I have dealt with the loss of my 28 year old sister, Liz, while launching and running a company.

Special thanks to Ladies Who Launch, a membership-based community of women business owners nation-wide, who pitched my story to FOX News. This is one of the many incredible opportunities I have benefitted from through my membership.

To read the article, "Retail Philanthropy: The Story Behind Uptown Liz", click here.