All About the Sol de Janeiro Foundation
At Sol de Janeiro, we believe in the power of beauty, both in self-expression and in shaping a better world. That’s why, in 2024, we started the Sol de Janeiro Foundation to inspire beauty in its many forms.
Heela Yang, Co-Founder and CEO of Sol de Janeiro was determined to address the challenges faced by women, girls, and the planet. With a focus on protecting biodiversity and empowering women and girls, the Sol de Janeiro Foundation is taking meaningful actions to support a brighter, bolder, and more biodiverse tomorrow.
“Sol de Janeiro started with passion and purpose,” says Yang. “We’ve always believed that beauty and responsibility go hand in hand, and thus the Sol de Janeiro Foundation was born. Our brand draws inspiration from Brazil’s many forms, from its biodiversity to its people. But nature is under threat, and so are the futures of millions of girls around the world who face barriers to opportunity. The Foundation is our way of giving back and ensuring our success drives meaningful impact. It’s about community, impact, and leaving the world better than we found it.”
What Is the Sol de Janeiro Foundation?
The Sol de Janeiro Foundation serves as a long-term commitment to a brighter future by focusing on two powerful pillars:
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The regeneration and conservation of biodiversity
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The empowerment of young women worldwide
Sol de Janeiro is the Foundation’s sole donor, underscoring and ensuring its success is directly fueled by the brand. It’s governed, managed, and passionately operated by Sol de Janeiro employees and external experts.
What Is the Sol de Janeiro Foundation’s Mission?
Our mission is to contribute to the regeneration of the environment and enable new generations of women to live confidently worldwide. Take a closer look at our impact priorities.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the incredible variety of life on Earth. More specifically, it’s the delicate balance of ecosystems, species, and genetics that work in harmony to sustain our planet. It’s also a balance that’s slipping. Significant percentages of biodiversity have already been lost, threatening not only nature but human health, food security, and economic stability.
We currently prioritize places of abundant biodiversity, predominantly in Brazil. We chose Brazil as a thank you to the country that has inspired and influenced Sol de Janeiro from the beginning. We will expand to other regions rich in biodiversity as the Foundation grows.
Empowering Girls
Sol de Janeiro was founded to celebrate beauty and inspire confidence in everyone, but especially in women and girls. Unfortunately, far too many barriers still limit their potential today. Our Foundation funds projects around the world that provide women and girls with access to the tools and resources needed to pursue their dreams. It’s not only fair; it’s a more promising future for all.
Who Are the Sol de Janeiro Foundation Grantees?
We take pride in supporting work with heart and sol. Since 2024, we have signed 13 grants to organizations around the world. For more information about our partnerships with each grantee, visit here.
