Our mission

The Little Market is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic self-sufficiency of women worldwide through dignified income opportunities. Our mission is anchored in the fundamental belief that every person has the right to safe jobs and fair, livable wages. Each piece is made following fair trade principles, ultimately contributing to a life-changing sustainable income and giving back to the people who made it. Thank you for shopping consciously and making a difference with your purchase.

WE ETHICALLY SOURCE from THE MOST UNDERSERVED GROUPS INCLUDING:

individuals living in poverty people with disabilities
women transitioning out of homelessness refugees
survivors of trafficking and domestic violence

OUR VALUES

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EMPOWERING WOMEN

We partner with artisan groups to support employment and skill development opportunities for marginalized and underserved women. Artisans are empowered to work and care for their families while moving toward economic independence and self-sufficiency. We believe in advocating for and protecting women’s rights, and we participate in campaigns to raise awareness about issues that disproportionately affect women around the world.

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PAYING FAIRLY + PROMPTLY

Our partnerships with artisan groups are built on trust and respect. We purchase products at fair trade prices that provide a living wage. We pay our artisans promptly, knowing that families rely on the income to meet immediate needs. We recognize the financial disadvantages that small producers face. As such, we ensure that the artisan groups we work with exercise full discretion in determining their prices and the payment method that best fits their operational needs.

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pRIORITIZING MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS 

We recognize that individuals’ gender, class, age, and ethnoracial identity, among other factors, are often the root causes of their marginalization from economic and social opportunities. We proudly partner with groups that create employment opportunities for artisans around the world from very diverse circumstances and backgrounds.

Illustration of Safe Workplace

PROMOTING A SAFE AND DIGNIFIED WORKPLACE

It is important to us that artisans have access to a safe, healthy working environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, and child labor. We partner with artisan groups that are committed to providing such a workplace for artisans, in addition to paying fair wages.

Illustration of needle and thread

ENSURING CULTURAL MAINTENANCE

In the spirit of fair trade, we do our best to promote and protect the cultural identity and traditional skills of small producers. We value traditional patterns and techniques, and our design development is sensitive to the geographic specificity and meaning of artisanal works.

Illustration of globe

CULTIVATING ENVIROMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS

We prioritize products that are made of materials originating from sustainably managed sources and that have minimal impact on the environment. We are committed to recycling in our own operational locations, and we continue to improve our efforts to reduce our overall environmental footprint.

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ADVOCATING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS + SOCIAL JUSTICE

We work with artisan groups that promote access to equitable employment and other opportunities for marginalized communities, and we expect them to protect and uphold the human rights of artisans regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, ability or disability, or any markers of identity. We are committed to raising awareness about human rights and social justice issues through our work.

ENSURING CULTURAL MAINTENANCE

In the spirit of fair trade, we do our best to promote and protect the cultural identity and traditional skills of small producers. We value traditional patterns and techniques, and our design development is sensitive to the geographic specificity and meaning of artisanal works.

CULTIVATING ENVIROMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS

We prioritize products that are made of materials originating from sustainably managed sources and that have minimal impact on the environment. We are committed to recycling in our own operational locations, and we continue to improve our efforts to reduce our overall environmental footprint.

ADVOCATING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS + SOCIAL JUSTICE

We work with artisan groups that promote access to equitable employment and other opportunities for marginalized communities, and we expect them to protect and uphold the human rights of artisans regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, ability or disability, or any markers of identity. We are committed to raising awareness about human rights and social justice issues through our work.

FAIR TRADE

Fair trade is a form of ethical, environmentally conscious, and sustainable production that focuses on creating economic opportunities for disadvantaged producers. It promotes inclusive practices, safe working conditions, fair pay, and the preservation of traditional techniques.

Female artisans
Female artisan
Female artisan

our impact

CURRENTLY SOURCING FROM 70 artisan groups

IN OVER 25 countries and sovereign states

SINCE 2013, TOGETHER WE ETHICALLY PURCHASED 190,418 UNITS AND GENERATED 864,929 HOURS OF DIGNIFIED WORK FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

our impact

CURRENTLY SOURCING FROM 75 artisan groups IN OVER 25 countries and sovereign states

Over the past five years, we ethically purchased 122,876 units of product, generating more than 478,983 hours of dignified labor.