Crocs Inc. is scaling its “Step Up to Greatness” community impact program.
Introduced last year, the program is aimed at helping young adults between ages 15 to 29 gain skills and access to opportunities that can help them reach their greatest potential. Crocs has committed to supporting over 3 million people through partnerships with nonprofits, such as UNICEF’s social innovation accelerator Upshift and the Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentoring program.
Crocs said on Thursday that it has committed to a multi-year partnership with UNICEF’s Upshift accelerator, which focuses on teaching young people the skills they need to tackle societal challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship and be a positive force in their communities.
“We believe in partnering with organizations with impactful missions such as UNICEF’s Upshift initiative and are thrilled to help them equip young people to develop meaningful solutions for themselves and their communities to thrive,” Deanna Bratter, Crocs’ chief sustainability officer, said. “By leveraging our partnerships and activating our brands where they add the most value, we can increase our impact and make a real difference for the next generation.”
“Over the last decade, Upshift’s 5.2 million graduates have collectively completed 145 million learning hours across 56 countries, gaining professional and transferable skills to take charge of their today and tomorrow as problem solving global citizens,” Thomas Davin, global director, UNICEF Office of Innovation, said. “Partnering with Crocs, Inc. will help scale this impact around the world in a collective commitment based on a shared purpose to unlock the potential of youth.”
A key goal at Crocs is the creation of a more comfortable world for everyone, including supporting local communities. That’s part of Crocs’ Purpose strategy that focuses on a shared value for its business, people and the planet. To achieve this goal, the shoe firm works with its nonprofit partners through the power of the Crocs brand to raise funds and awareness, as well as volunteering time. The company’s Hey Dude and Crocs stores in the U.S. provide consumers with the option of giving to the youth mentoring organization at the point of sale and on crocs.com.
In other sustainability initiatives, Crocs said in a recent report that it is relying on “raw materials innovation” to reduce the carbon footprint of its popular Classic Clog by 50 percent by 2030. And it is looking to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
For the recent three-month period ended March 31, first quarter net income rose 5.0 percent to $160.1 million, on revenue that slipped 0.1 percent to $937.3 million.
On Tuesday, Crocs unveiled its second collaboration with luxury streetwear brand Aries. The first capsule collection in 2023 drew inspiration from the beach, while this second one is urban-inspired. The capsule also includes custom limited-edition Jibbitz charms, while the clogs feature a removable and adjustable strap.