The Wise Foundation believes that all people and communities should have the opportunity to achieve economic independence through business. Our core mission is, ‘To strengthen communities through assisting the creation of innovative economic models.’

Based in Melbourne, Australia, the Wise Foundation was formed in April 2008 to further the community development and social commitments of The Body Shop Australia, the Adidem group of companies and the Wise family.

The Wise Foundation is a registered Tax Concession Charity for the purpose of assisting marginalised people achieve meaningful participation in the community.

TOMS pop up at The Body Shop Bourke Street

In 2013, the Wise Foundation began a joint venture with international philanthropic retail brand TOMS to raise much needed funds for Wise Foundation projects in Australia, East Timor and Samoa. .

The Wise Foundation and TOMS initially worked together to open a pop-up store last September in Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Lane shopping precinct. Following the success of this first pop-up store, TOMS and the Wise Foundation took part in Melbourne’s St Kilda Festival and opened another TOMS pop-up on the main festival day.

We’re at it again! This time the pop-up store resides within The Body Shop Bourke Street Mall for the month of March.

This exciting collaboration gives shoppers two great reasons to shop with us! Not only are TOMS the purveyor of great shoes and shades but for every pair they sell worldwide, they give a pair of shoes to a child in need and with their eyewear, they restore someone’s sight. Additionally, all the proceeds from the pop-up store go towards Wise Foundation projects both locally and internationally.

The Body Shop, 271-281 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000.

TOMS pop-up store St Kilda Festival

The Wise foundation is proud to be participating in yet another venture with international giving movement TOMS. This time, the Wise Foundation will be opening a TOMS pop-up store at the iconic St Kilda Festival.

The store will be open for one day only on Sunday 9 February 2014. All proceeds from the store will go towards Wise Foundation projects both in Australia and East Timor.

For every pair of shoes TOMS sells anywhere in the world they donate another pair to a child in need. And with their eyewear, with every pair sold they restore someone’s sight. What more could you possibly want? Great shoes (and shades) and two great causes. Everyone’s a winner, so we hope you’ll come down and support us.

We are proud to be partnering with the TOMS, an organisation that shares our values and dynamic spirit.

A big thank-you to TOMS and St Kilda Festival for helping to make our second pop-up store a reality!

Pop in to our Pop-up Store!

The Wise Foundation is delighted to announce a new venture with the international shoes and shades brand TOMS.

For the month of September, the TOMS range will be sold in a pop-up store at Manchester Lane, in Melbourne’s CBD, with all proceeds going towards the good works of the Wise Foundation. TOMS is renowned, not just as a purveyor of great shoes and shades, but for its ‘One for One’ commitment – for every pair of shoes TOMS sells anywhere in the world it donates another pair to a child in need. Great shoes (and shades) and two great causes. What more could you ask for?

It’s not often you can shop and proudly declare that EVERYONE’S A WINNER! Please tell your friends and networks, and swing past to say hello.
The store is being run by volunteers from the
Adidem Group, and we look forward to seeing you
there!

WHEN: Monday, 2 September to 8 October (Mon-Wed and Sat 10-5pm,Thur-Fri 10-6pm)
WHERE: Corner of Flinders Lane and Manchester Lane, Melbourne CBD

The future is looking Buffed

Buffed, Australia’s first social franchise, provides the means for individuals who are long-term unemployed or underemployed to secure their own futures through small business ownership.

Buffed offers shoe shine and leather cleaning services from portable stands located within commercial office towers, boutique retail arcades and key transport nodes.

The Wise Foundation launched Buffed to create real business opportunities for people whose employment outlook is limited – such as recently arrived migrants, people with unstable health, or those who lack the basic skills required for mainstream employment. Buffed provides high-level support for franchisees through no-interest loans, business mentorship and dynamic marketing to ensure franchisees have the best chance of creating successful businesses.

Franchisee training focuses on more than just shoe care. Buffed emphasises customer service and business training and development to ensure that franchisees are assisted in both their short-term and long-term futures.

Buffed was launched in Brisbane in November 2011 and has stands in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Buffed was launched by founding partners Bank of Queensland, University of Queensland Business School and The Body Shop. Each site is owned and operated by individuals through a franchise agreement.

Visit www.buffed.org.au or call 07 3211 7601.