Building on Aerie’s strong history of supporting causes that are important to its customers and communities, and in celebration of International Day of the Girl, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc and Aerie announced the launch of the Aerie Real Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to build confidence in women, foster an inclusive community and protect our planet to make the world a better place. By formalizing Aerie’s philanthropic efforts and expanding on the brand’s decades-long history of donating to national nonprofit organizations, the Aerie Real Foundation is investing in making the world a more positive place by providing grants for regional programs and offering educational opportunities to bring local communities together.
“Aerie has been supporting causes and organizations that promote women’s confidence and encouraging all women to love their authentic selves for nearly a decade through the #AerieREAL movement,” said Jen Foyle, President, Executive Creative Director of AE & Aerie. “The Aerie Real Foundation expands upon our mission to support body confidence, foster an inclusive community and help protect the planet to make the world a better place.”
Foyle continued by stating that the new foundation formalizes the company’s philanthropic efforts and helps with providing organizations whose missions align with theirs with the resources they need to make a lasting impact in their communities and make the world a more positive place for generations to come.
How the Aerie Real Foundation Is Giving Back to its Customers and Communities
• The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is a long-established partner of Aerie and will be the first recipient of an Aerie Real Change Signature Grant, receiving $100,000 to fund its Campus Warriors program on more than 70 college campuses across the country during the 2022–2023 school year. Support from the Aerie Real Foundation will assist the program in enhancing the Body Project Experience initiative by providing training for warriors to facilitate these life-changing workshops on their campuses.
• Two additional $100,000 grantees will be announced for holiday 2022 and spring 2023.
• Starting November 2 through November 13, Aerie will donate $2 for every transaction made using an Aerie credit card to the Aerie Real Foundation, up to $100,000.
• To make a huge impact in local communities, the Aerie Real Foundation will soon begin issuing Aerie Real Change Community Grants of up to $10,000 each to grassroots programs whose missions align with the foundation’s pillars: confidence, inclusion and sustainability. Nonprofits can visit www.aerierealfoundation.org to apply for a grant.
• Aerie is also partnering with Wondermind, a new mental fitness platform, to build confidence and mental well-being among members of both the Aerie and Wondermind communities. Today, in celebration of International Day of the Girl, the two organizations are hosting a “REAL Talk” event at the Aerie Soho store in New York City, where Wondermind Co-Founder and Co-CEO Daniella Pierson will interview a panel of influential women. The Aerie x Wondermind partnership will also see the creation of a content series called “Mind, Body, REAL Talk” that will include newsletters, interviews with featured guests, such as gold medal gymnast and Aerie partner Aly Raisman, and mental health tools and resources.
