Cotopaxi Announces Grant Partnership with the Mona Foundation

March 2, 2021

Salt Lake City, UT. March 2, 2021 — This International Women’s Day, Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear and apparel brand, and Benefit Corporation, has expanded its major grant program to include the Mona Foundation. The Cotopaxi major grant program encompasses a selection of carefully vetted non-profit grantees who showcase sustainable, tangible work in alleviation of global poverty and improving the human condition. This work is essential to Cotopaxi’s core mission as an impact-driven brand and is embedded into every product, every campaign and every initiative that Cotopaxi produces.

According to the Gates Foundation Goalkeepers Report, due to COVID-19, 25 years of human development were undone in 25 weeks*. Girls, women, and communities struggling with endemic poverty were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and gender gaps in schooling and employment have increased. To advance its fight on poverty in the Americas as well as solve for gender inequalities, Cotopaxi formed a long-term nonprofit partnership with Mona Foundation, a leader in providing education to girls in central and South America.

Studies released by the World Bank as well methodological reports undertaken by the Mona Foundation prove that investing in education for girls presents one of the most successful investments Cotopaxi could make to fight poverty. It has been shown that putting $1 towards educating girls generates $10 in economic return. Further, by focusing on identifying girls with ambitions and strong family ties, the Mona Foundation assists close to 100 people by educating one girl. Beyond its sound methodology, Cotopaxi selected Mona Foundation for its outstanding track record of performance, third party validation, and proven methodology.

“Anyone can sign a check,” said Annie Agle, Director of Impact and Brand at Cotopaxi. “But successfully fighting poverty requires careful stewarding of the Cotopaxi Foundation’s philanthropic funds towards partners with proven and traceable programs. After an intensive review process, Mona Foundation quickly demonstrated qualities that convinced our leadership of the organization’s ability to close the gender gap and eliminate poverty. We’re honored to partner with Mahnaz and her team.”

“Education, particularly the education of girls, changes everything. With this continued grant from Cotopaxi, the Mona Foundation will be able to expand upon numerous projects in South America,” said Mahnaz Javid, CEO of Mona Foundation. “We’re thrilled to partner with the  Cotopaxi Foundation and share its vision for a world without poverty where every girl is educated.”

*https://ww2.gatesfoundation.org/goalkeepers/report/2020-report/#GlobalPerspective

###

Cotopaxi Press Contact: Jess Smith | Jess@OutsidePR.com| 415.565.9530

About Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is an outdoor gear brand and Benefit Corporation with a social mission. With two storefronts and a strong ecommerce platform, and employing over 80 staff members, we design, manufacture, and sell packs, water bottles, apparel, and gear, raising awareness and funds for various humanitarian causes through the Cotopaxi Foundation. For more information please visit https://www.cotopaxi.com/pages/about

About the Mona Foundation

Founded in 1999, Mona Foundation supports grassroots initiatives around the world that educate all children, empower women and girls, and enable them to transform their own communities. We support schools and programs that serve economically disadvantaged  communities. These initiatives focus on academic excellence, fine arts, character development, and service to train capable, ethical, and altruistic students who contribute to the betterment of their families, communities, and ultimately their nation. Since 1999, Mona has granted more than $12 million to 45 partner organizations in 21 countries, supporting the education of more than 2 million students in 2020. For more information please visit https://www.monafoundation.org/