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Philanthropy: Christina Martin

Philanthropy has found a way to kick buyer’s remorse to the curb. They’ve taken the guilt out of shopping, and replaced it with goodwill.

The “Fashion + Compassion” men’s and women’s boutique is a little store with a big mission: To be the catalyst for change, and the leader in cause-driven retailing. And they’re offering their customers the opportunity to give back on a global level.

Since opening in 2007, this small-town store in downtown Franklin has given more than $200,000 to on-the-ground organizations in East Africa, the Caribbean Islands and the United States. Owners Christina and Christopher Martin have pledged to give 10 percent of Philanthropy’s proceeds to charities, or a minimum of $50,000 a year.

The store curates and designs home goods, accessories and clothing – and all of it benefits a struggling soul somewhere.

“We opened as a platform for our customers to make a difference,” Christina says. “The truth is, when giving is the focus, the public seems happy and excited to get involved.”

Philanthropy has developed long-lasting relationships with its charities, and hopes to make an impact through targeted strategy. They are currently helping organizations in Nashville, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Sudan, Uganda, Haiti, and more. Philanthropy finds charities that concentrate on health initiatives, education and empowerment, community building, and funding. The store’s website, www.philanthropyfashion.com, keeps customers updated and informed on old and new projects.

“Our ultimate goal is to facilitate a better future to underdeveloped communities so they become healthy, self-reliant and sustainable,” Christina says.

Products range from the filmy shirts on the racks to the mercury glass votives on display to the men’s scarves in the window. The eco-friendly vibe in the store lends itself to both men’s and women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, shoes, home products and decor. Quirky items fill every corner, including a product made from Elephant Poo (seriously).

Some of the store’s best-selling products are part of Philanthropy’s Wearable Compassion Project, a line of t-shirts and bags which the boutique has locally designed and printed as an additional way to give back. Philanthropy gives 100 percent of the sale of these products to their charities.

“Our Wearable Compassion program was started as a way of empowering our customers to support the rebuilding of the Franklin Theatre,” Christina says, “People were so supportive of this project that we decided that it was going to be a staple for different causes in the store.”

Philanthropy’s Wearable Compassion products, as well as many other items from the store, are now available through the boutique’s website, www.philanthropyfashion.com.

The store also offers styling advice. Customers can request personal sessions, or come in to the store for fashion guidance. They even provide their email address (contact@philanthropyfashion.com) in case someone needs to know a pattern-match on the fly.

“We have a staff with a keen eye for fit and style,” she says.

Philanthropy is a faith-centered operation. From the music that filters through the store to the Bible verses découpaged on its door frames, Christina hopes to infuse hope through the store’s actions.

“I want people to see that we’re genuine and that Jesus Christ is reflected through us,” she says. “We walk the walk.”

Black and white frames of a village in Sudan fill one wall of Christina’s office, reminding her daily of her mission. She was part of a medical team, the first group in the village after the second Sudanese Civil War. Christina points from picture to picture and tells the story behind each face – this one about a “Lost Boy of Sudan” and his father reunited, that one about the son she adopted that’s in boarding school in Uganda. Mission work is at the heart of this boutique, and Christina is helping each employee of the store reach his or her goal in works in Uganda, Haiti, and with local charitable organizations.

“We’re more than a store,” she says. “We live and breathe this every day.”

Christina, who has started several other successful businesses, doesn’t want to stop with Franklin. She plans to reach out to small communities across the country, giving them the power of global generosity.

So next time you’re in Philanthropy, swipe the plastic guilt-free. It’s going to a good cause.

For more information, visit their website.

Faces of Franklin

  • Avec Moi: Bob Roethemeyer
  • Barn Door: Kevin King
  • Baskin-Robbins: Brandon Anglin
  • Battle Ground Academy: Will Kesler
  • Boutique MMM: Maria Magdalena Molnar
  • Brandon Binkley: Bink’s Outfitters
  • Carnivore Market: SJ and Virginia Botha
  • Coffee House on Second and Bridge: Barbara Spierto
  • Damico Frame & Art Gallery: Michael Damico
  • Daniel-Christian Real Estate: Dianne Christian and Matt Daniel
  • ECCO SALON ON MAIN: Lisa Asselin
  • Finnleys Good Findings: Dawn Craig
  • Franklin Antique Mall: Amanda Pitts
  • Franklin Art Scene: J. Edward and Brenda Campbell
  • Franklin Mercantile Deli: Graeme Asch
  • Franklin On Foot: Margie Thessin
  • Frothy Monkey: Chase Ingalls
  • Gallery 202: Kelly Harwood
  • GEAR Foundation, Our Thrift Store: Dave Krikac
  • GRAY’S on Main: Joni Cole
  • Heart and Hands: Carol Bennington
  • Heylee B.: Heylee Achten
  • I Love Juice Bar: Jason Collins
  • Imago Dei: Sarah Tucker
  • JJ’s Wine Bar: Jessie Myhre, Spencer and Jill Pittman
  • Johnnie Q: Brooklyn Byrd
  • JONDIE: Rebecca and Jondie Davis
  • Kelly Spalding Designs: Kelly Spalding
  • Kimbro’s Cafe and Carpe Diem: Will Jordan
  • Landmark Booksellers: Joel and Carol Tomlin
  • Lotz House Museum: J.T. Thompson
  • McCreary’s Irish Pub: Natasha Hendrix
  • Mellow Mushroom: Mark Clark
  • Misty Westebbe Photography: Misty and Bruce Westebbe
  • Onyx & Alabaster: Tanya Hembree
  • Papa C Pies: Chad and Gary Collier
  • Parks Realty: Danny Anderson
  • Philanthropy: Christina Martin
  • Red Pony, 55 South, McConnell House, Cork & Cow: Jason McConnell
  • Riverside Antiques: Lynda McGuire
  • Savory Spice Shop: Hollie Rollins
  • Scarlett Scales Antiques: Scarlett Scales
  • Shannon Eye Care: Shannon Zingle
  • Shuff’s Music: Ron Shuff
  • Sweet CeCe’s Frozen Yogurt and Treats: CeCe Moore and Mike Hissong
  • T. Nesbitt and Co.: Trisha Nesbitt
  • Taylor Made Smiles: Missy and Court Burton
  • The Bunganut Pig: Mark and Amy Goodson
  • The Cellar On Main: Janice Swartz
  • The Heirloom Shop: Elaine Thompson
  • The Shop Around The Corner: Teresa Powers
  • Tin Cottage: Marianne DeMeyers
  • Triple Crown Bakery: Alena Vaughn
  • Twine Graphics: John Bond and Brandon Hagan
  • Vue Optique: David and Wendy Shen
  • Walton’s Jewelry: Julie Walton
  • Williamson County CASA: Marianne Schroer
  • Winchester Antique Mall: Kim Tuzzio
  • Yarrow Acres: Sheri Gramer
  • Zolo’s Italian Restaurant: Judy and Brian Holmes
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