The Straw Bag Company Foundation: Local Support with Every Sale
The Straw Bag Company Foundation was created to support the people who make our work possible. With every bag sold, 15% of the sale goes back into the hands of the communities behind the craft. These are not distant donations. Every contribution is directed to families in the artisan villages where our straw bags are made. This support is practical, personal, and deeply rooted in long-standing relationships.
Rather than simply running a business, we built a model that ensures shared success. When one bag is purchased, a portion of that sale reaches someone’s home—whether it’s a mother buying school shoes for her child or a retired weaver receiving food assistance. Our foundation exists to make sure our growth always benefits the people we started this journey with.
Only for Local Village People and Families in Need
We do not run a public-facing charity. Our foundation helps only those directly linked to the Straw Bag Company’s artisan network. These include the women who weave, their households, their children, and a small circle of local neighbours involved in everyday village life. This tight focus means we can act quickly and with real understanding of individual needs.
We know who we’re helping. It’s never anonymous. Whether it’s support for a grandmother raising grandchildren, a family facing a medical emergency, or a weaver temporarily out of work, our aid goes to those who have helped build our business. There is no application form, no public donations, and no bureaucracy—just practical help for people we know and trust.
Weaving Regions We Support in Thailand
Our support spans five weaving regions in Thailand: Phayao, Nakhon Sawan, Phatthalung, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. These are the homes of our artisan teams and their extended families. In each location, we have a direct connection with the community, ensuring that every contribution is spent in a way that’s relevant and respectful.
Each of these provinces has its own character, dialects, and weaving styles. Some are in the mountains, others closer to the coast. But all are united by skilled women who make bags by hand with remarkable patience and care. By limiting our foundation’s support to these areas, we can remain transparent, focused, and genuinely community-led.
How We Use the Foundation Fund
The 15% we give back is used for a range of needs, always based on what each family or village truly requires. We avoid one-size-fits-all donations. Instead, we provide carefully considered support that fits the moment. Common uses include buying school uniforms, supplying food parcels, offering emergency cash assistance, or covering urgent home repairs.
In some cases, a family may need money for fuel to travel to a distant hospital. In others, it might be help after a weather event that damaged a home. We keep our foundation nimble so we can act fast. We believe the best way to help is to stay close to the ground and listen.
School Support for Children in the Villages
Access to education remains a major challenge for low-income families in rural Thailand. That’s why a significant part of our foundation budget is allocated to helping village children stay in school. We cover the basics: uniforms, school bags, stationery, books, and sometimes daily lunch money or transport.
These small costs add up fast for families with several children, and often result in students dropping out early. By stepping in, we prevent that cycle. We make sure children in artisan households don’t fall behind simply because they lack supplies. We want every child connected to our company to feel that education is within reach.
Training the Next Generation of Weavers
Our work also invests in long-term cultural preservation. We offer hands-on training to teenage girls and recent school leavers who want to learn traditional weaving. This is not just job training—it’s a way to pass on knowledge, keep rural communities alive, and offer viable income for young people who might otherwise have to leave home for factory jobs.
Trainees work alongside experienced artisans, learning both basic techniques and design variations. Once they’re ready, they’re paid per piece, allowing them to earn their own income while staying within their village. This program keeps heritage alive while supporting financial independence and pride in cultural identity.
Rewarding Everyday Heroes in the Villages
Beyond urgent help, we also recognise quiet service. The Straw Bag Company Foundation rewards people who support others without expecting anything in return. This includes grandparents caring for children, local carers who help neighbours with disabilities, and teachers who go beyond their duties to serve their communities.
These people rarely ask for help. They’re too busy giving it. That’s why we offer cash thank-you gifts, festival support, or assistance with groceries or transport. It’s a small way of saying, “We see you. We appreciate you.” These rewards are deeply meaningful in villages where money is tight and recognition is rare.
No Red Tape. No Admin. Just Local Giving.
Unlike large NGOs or government programs, our foundation operates on speed, trust, and direct knowledge. We don’t use third parties. We don’t waste time on bureaucracy. Our local team manages everything from planning to delivery. We can respond to needs within a day, and we always follow up to make sure our help was effective.
This grassroots model works because it’s built on relationships, not paperwork. Our team speaks the local dialects, knows the geography, and lives near the people we support. There’s no need to “check credibility”—we already know who needs help.
Built on Thai Values and Faith
Our foundation is rooted in Thai belief systems, especially the Buddhist practice of merit-making (ทำบุญ). Giving is not seen as charity but as a meaningful act that builds spiritual good. For our Christian artisans and team members, generosity is also an act of grace and service. These dual traditions give our work purpose and harmony.
We do not promote religion, but we honour both. The spirit behind our foundation is one of love, respect, and shared humanity. Every donation reflects a belief that we are all connected and responsible for one another.
This Is Not Aid. This Is Respect.
We never position our support as handouts. Our foundation gives back to those who’ve earned it. The artisans in our network are skilled workers who make products that reach customers around the world. The 15% we return is a recognition of that labour, not a favour. It’s part of a fair exchange.
By focusing on reward and dignity, we change the story. These aren’t beneficiaries—they’re co-creators of value. Our foundation simply makes sure that value is shared more evenly across the chain.
Every Bag You Buy Makes a Real Impact
Your purchase directly contributes to something larger. Each bag supports the artisan who wove it—and also someone they know. It helps keep children in school, strengthens homes, and trains the next generation. This is impact you can feel good about. It’s direct, transparent, and immediate.
No marketing fluff. No inflated promises. Just real help delivered with integrity and care.
Rooted in Real Communities and Real Stories
We are not outsiders parachuting into a problem. We are part of these communities. Our founders, team members, and weavers live in the same villages where our foundation works. That closeness shapes everything. It keeps our work human. And it ensures that every action we take is guided by real understanding—not guesswork.
The Straw Bag Company Foundation doesn’t just support Thailand’s rural communities—it’s built by them, too.
15% Isn’t a Donation. It’s a Promise.
We don’t wait to see what’s left over after profit. The 15% give-back is automatic, structured, and consistent. It’s not seasonal. It doesn’t depend on trends. It happens with every single sale. We designed our pricing to make this possible because we believe it’s the right way to do business.
This promise is simple: If you help us grow, we’ll help you thrive.
This Is the Straw Bag Company Foundation
We’re not a charity. We’re a commitment. A handshake between makers and supporters. A loop of giving that starts with craft and ends with care. With every bag, we build a stronger village and a better story. One sale at a time. One act of support at a time. That’s the power of the Straw Bag Company Foundation.
