COLUMBUS, Ohio,
Aug. 6,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Designer Brands Inc. (NYSE:
DBI) (the "Company," "DBI" and "Designer Brands"), one of the
world's largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and
accessories, is proud to announce the launch of the Designer Brands
Foundation.
This new foundation reinforces Designer Brands' and DSW Designer
Shoe Warehouse's ("DSW") continued commitment to serving their
communities. The Designer Brands Foundation's purpose is to advance
the empowerment of individuals by removing barriers and helping
them put their best foot forward. Notable contributions have
already been made through the foundation, including a $50,000 donation from the DSW Foundation, part of
the larger Designer Brands Foundation, to Girls on the Run
International, a nonprofit that empowers elementary and middle
school aged girls with confidence, teambuilding, personal
independence and finding inner strength through physical activity
and life skills lessons.
With a focus on three identified areas of impact: empowerment,
inclusion, and local communities, the Designer Brands Foundation,
primarily funded by DBI and customer donations, is an opportunity
to broaden the Company's charitable giving, remove barriers and
increase overall funding and support in the communities where DBI's
associates live and work.
"The launch of the Designer Brands Foundation represents a
significant step forward in our mission to make a positive impact
where it matters most and allows us to give back to causes
important to our associates and our communities," said Amy Jo Donohew, SVP of Human Resources at
Designer Brands. "Philanthropic values have always existed within
Designer Brands, but now through our foundation's strategic
initiatives, we aim to empower even more individuals and support
our diverse communities, so that we can all create meaningful and
lasting change."
Beginning in July, Designer Brands kicked off its Soles4Souls
Back to School Campaign in DSW stores nationwide. With over
$4 million donated to Soles4Souls
through register and VIP rewards donations and DBI contributions
since the partnership's inception, and an additional $1 million commitment by the Designer Brands
Foundation for 2024, this initiative aims to provide footwear to
those in need. Furthermore, the Designer Brands Foundation is
pledging $100,000 in community grants
in its first year. The application is open now for eligible
501(c)(3) organizations. The Designer Brands Foundation is
committed to taking more steps in the right direction and will
continue to help families and communities put their best foot
forward.
About Designer Brands
Designer Brands is one of the world's largest designers, producers
and retailers of the most recognizable footwear brands and
accessories, transforming and defining the footwear industry
through a mission of inspiring self-expression. With a diversified,
world-class portfolio of coveted brands, including Crown Vintage,
Hush Puppies, Jessica Simpson, Keds, Kelly & Katie, Lucky
Brand, Mix No. 6, Topo Athletic, Vince Camuto and others,
Designer Brands designs and produces on-trend footwear and
accessories for all of life's occasions delivered to the consumer
through a robust direct-to-consumer omni-channel infrastructure and
powerful national wholesale distribution. Powered by a
billion-dollar digital commerce business across multiple domains
and 675 DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Co., and Rubino
stores. In North America, Designer Brands delivers
current, in-line footwear and accessories from the largest national
brands in the industry and holds leading market share positions in
key product categories across Women's, Men's and Kids'. Designer
Brands also distributes its brands internationally through select
wholesale and distributor relationships while also leveraging
design and sourcing expertise to build private label products for
national retailers. Designer Brands is committed to being a
difference maker in the world, taking steps forward to advance
diversity, equity and inclusion in the footwear industry and
supporting a global community and the health of the planet by
donating more than nine million pairs of shoes to the global
non-profit Soles4Souls since 2018. To learn more,
visit www.designerbrands.com.
For further information:
Media: Inspire PR for Designer Brands
Katie Lundy
Katie@inspireproup.com
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SOURCE Designer Brands, Inc.
