Gift for Life, the gift and home industry’s charitable organization, has raised nearly $230,000 toward its $250,000 fundraising goal for 2026, surpassing 92% of its annual target midway through the year. The milestone reflects another strong year of industry generosity and engagement. At its recent mid-year Board of Directors meeting, board members celebrated the organization’s progress while reaffirming their commitment to supporting charitable causes through the collective efforts of the gift and home industries.
Highlights from the first half of 2026 include:
- Raising $49,242 funds in support of AIDS Walk New York, continuing Gift for Life’s long-standing commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
- Raising $164,934 for World Central Kitchen during the Retailer Excellence Awards celebration honoring Peter Schauben with Gift for Life’s Lifetime Humanitarian Award.
- Expanding fundraising opportunities through industry events, partnerships, and donor engagement that continue to strengthen Gift for Life’s impact across the gift and home community.
“Reaching more than 90 percent of our annual fundraising goal by mid-year is an exciting milestone and a testament to the generosity of our industry,” said Amy Loewenberg, chair of the
Gift for Life Board of Directors. “From supporting AIDS Walk New York to the incredible response to our Retailer Excellence Awards benefiting World Central Kitchen, driven by the generosity surrounding this year’s honoree, our community continues to demonstrate what can be accomplished when we come together for a greater purpose. I am grateful to our Board of Directors, our sponsors, our volunteers, and every individual and company whose support is helping Gift for Life make a meaningful difference.”
During the meeting, the Board also reviewed strategic priorities for the remainder of 2026, including upcoming fundraising initiatives, continued industry engagement, and opportunities to further expand Gift for Life’s charitable impact. Directors expressed confidence that the organization’s momentum will continue through the balance of the year.
“While we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, we’re equally excited about what’s ahead,” Loewenberg said. “With the continued support of our industry, we’re well positioned to achieve our fundraising goal and continue investing in organizations that provide hope, relief and essential services to people in need.”
Gift for Life will continue its fundraising efforts throughout the second half of 2026 with additional initiatives that bring together retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives, suppliers and service providers in support of its charitable mission.
