Charitable Giving Policy

Objective

Safo Hair’s Charitable Giving Policy is designed to direct our civic engagement. We seek to address social and environmental needs through strategic philanthropic investments that build brand equity and support Safo Hair’s business priorities. We are committed to donate the equivalent of 2% of annual revenue in the form of in-kind product donation and/or monetary giving.

We are committed to supporting nonprofit organizations by providing financial contributions, in-kind products and services, and volunteer support. We aim to work with communities that are the most vulnerable, groups in need, and maintain a strong bond with those communities as priorities and needs change. Safo Hair’s Charitable Giving Policy ensures that all Safo Hair direct or indirect political contributions, charitable donations, sponsorships, company volunteer activities, and in-kind services and products are coordinated and aligned with our social and environmental responsibility strategy and business goals, maximize opportunity for public visibility, foster long-term relationships, and are within our budget and resource limitations. The impact of the contribution will be taken into consideration in each case. 

Recipient Eligibility Criteria

The following guidelines are used in reviewing requests for charitable contributions and sponsorships and company volunteer initiatives. These guidelines do not cover every possibility, special need, or opportunity. Safo Hair may make exceptions while considering each contribution.

  • Safo Hair focuses on nonprofit organizations that are part of our global community and are not limited in geographical scope. 
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations (for example organization that tries to encourage in­dustrial development and relieve unem­ployment in an area by making loans to businesses so they will relocate to the area), certified academic institutions, and 501(c)(6) business leagues (like chambers of commerce) are considered for charitable contributions, sponsorships, volunteer support, or in-kind donations.
  • All corporate charitable contributions, sponsorships, and in-kind services align with Safo Hair’s social and environmental goals, create positive visibility, and demonstrate measurable impacts. Safo Hair focuses on initiatives with emphasis in the areas of women/girl empowerment, but is not limited to this scope.
  • Product giving and/or volunteer time is highly encouraged
  • Safo Hair considers requests to support social, community, civic, environmental, educational, diversity, and economic endeavors if these meet contribution guidelines and/or if Safo Hair staff is involved in the governance of the organization.
  • Safo Hair strives to ensure that our contributions and our charitable partners comply with relevant laws, regulations, industry codes, external standards, and this Policy. 

Methods

  • All incoming and outgoing requests for charitable contributions/sponsorships, in-kind services or support, and/or company volunteer support, or business courtesies are coordinated and administered by Safo Hair’s CEO. Individual employees may not respond to requests from (or solicit from) individuals or organizations that have not been approved by the CEO. 
  • Incoming or outgoing requests for sponsorships, charitable donations, volunteers, in-kind services, gifts or give-aways, or business offerings must be made in writing and forwarded to the CEO for research, review, and final distribution. 
  • Contributions are coordinated with employee volunteer activities when possible to achieve maximum impact. 
  • Safo Hair’s CEO tracks all in-kind product and cash contributions throughout the year.
  • When available. charitable partners provide written reports outlining contribution impacts.
  • Safo Hair monitors progress annually against charitable giving targets. 
  • Charitable contributions should be documented in writing, including the intended recipient, eligibility criteria, and payment terms.

Process

The CEO of Safo Hair personally vets each and every charity or organization, researching on Charity Navigator and/or Guidestar their legitimacy and ensuring charitable partners meet all necessary criteria. All charitable giving/donations must also include:

  • A confirmation of receipt once goods or monetary donations are received. 
  • Written acknowledgment on file from the recipient organization to be claimed as a tax deduction in the United States. 
  • All appropriate details associated with a grantee or recipient organization: names, address, tax identification status confirmation, and other information.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship refers to Safo Hair providing financial support, products, services, or anything of value to a third party (including charitable organizations), in exchange for rights to associate Safo Hair’s brand with another brand in a broad, publicly visible way. For example, purchasing tables at charitable events or participation in a charity golf tournament are examples of sponsorships and are not charitable contributions. Organizations in a sponsorship relationship with Safo Hair must honor the guidelines outlined in this document.

Volunteer Time 

Safo Hair encourages all employees to become involved in their communities, lending their voluntary support to programs that positively impact the quality of life in our communities. Safo Hair allows full-time employees up to eight (8) hours of paid time each fiscal year to participate in their chosen volunteer program. To qualify, employees may only volunteer at organizations that are eligible (requirements and exclusions listed below). Employees may take the eight (8) hours over multiple days if they so choose. Additionally, employees must seek approval from their manager at least 30 days in advance of the volunteer day and volunteer time must not conflict with their work schedule, interfere with other work-related responsibilities, or create the need for overtime. Finally, to be eligible for paid volunteer time, an employee must be in good standing with Safo Hair, meaning they are under no disciplinary action or performance improvement plan. After completing their volunteer day, employees charge their time to “Volunteer Time” via the eTimesheet process and volunteer time will not count as actual hours worked toward the calculation of overtime.

Restrictions on Charitable Contributions

  • Safo Hair does not support organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, sexual orientation with respect to employment, volunteer participation, or the provision of services.  
  • Contributions are made only to the qualifying nonprofit agency. 
  • Contributions are not made to organizations conducting fundraising (third party giving) on behalf of nonprofit agencies.  
  • Requests from religious organizations for sectarian purposes are not to be considered; however, a community program sponsored by a religious organization can be considered (e.g., food pantry). 
  • Organizations whose primary purpose is to promote political views, influence legislation, or support candidates for public office.
  • Organizations located in countries where a US Trade Embargo is in place.
  • Requests that solicit financial support for individuals, political candidates, and political campaigns, or entities that are not nonprofit organizations, are not considered.
  • This policy does not prevent or in any way discourage Safo Hair employees from making personal contributions to whatever causes or organizations they choose.
  • Safo Hair does not make contributions that provide employees any direct benefits or privileges, such as membership dues, tickets to events, raffle tickets, subscription fees, etc. 
  • Safo Hair does not make contributions that discharge a legal obligation of an employee or any other person.
  • Safo Hair does not make contributions to an organization or educational institution to support a specific individual.
  • Charitable giving at Safo Hair must not:
    • Be or create the appearance of a bribe, kickback or other corrupt practice.
    • Directly procure Safo Hair future business or otherwise be made with the intent to obtain or retain business, secure an improper advantage, or induce anyone to act improperly.

Safo Hair commits to this Charitable Giving Policy and will continue to improve its charitable giving outcomes at the highest-level set in this industry.