On the afternoon of January 20, 2025, SHEIN announced the establishment of the SHEIN Foundation. As a non-profit organization, the SHEIN Foundation aims to foster more inclusive and sustainable communities in all regions where SHEIN operates. The foundation will serve as the charitable arm of SHEIN.
At the same time, the SHEIN Foundation has committed to donating €5 million (approximately $5.3 million) to the African Textile Collection (ACT) Foundation. ACT, which operates in Kenya, has launched a pilot program for the collection and recycling of used textiles.
SHEIN's Executive Chairman, Donald Tang, stated: "Empowering and giving back to communities has always been at the core of our business philosophy. The establishment of the SHEIN Foundation allows us to consolidate all charitable efforts under a formal charitable organization, bringing greater credibility and transparency to our philanthropic work. It also enhances our ability to guide charitable donations in a more impactful and sustainable way, better supporting causes and organizations that align with our values."
The funds pledged to ACT Foundation will be used for textile donations and post-consumer textile recycling activities in Kenya and the broader African region. Key initiatives include creating a convenient network of collection points for the public to donate old clothes, generating new job opportunities such as collection, sorting, and craftsmanship positions, with a focus on employing youth and women from vulnerable groups; building recycling infrastructure to handle large volumes of textile waste; and upgrading community-focused online and offline outreach programs, such as workshops, seminars, and collection events.
With the establishment of the SHEIN Foundation, previous charitable commitments by SHEIN will be integrated at the appropriate time. Over the past few years, SHEIN’s charitable efforts have supported numerous causes and organizations addressing social and environmental issues. Among these, the SHEIN Cares Foundation focuses on promoting women's rights and gender equality, supporting the holistic development of children, and reducing poverty. The SHEIN Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fund aims to address global textile waste and further develop a more circular fashion ecosystem, especially in the Global South, which is heavily impacted by this issue. From 2021 to 2024, SHEIN has allocated over $26 million in funding for these two commitments.
