Uma Thurman modeling the campaign's T-shirt

Uma Thurman has been named by the Entertainment Industry Foundation as this year’s ambassador for Saks’ Key to the Cure campaign.

Thurman will take over from Gwyneth Paltrow as the face of the campaign. This year, the “Key to the Cure” campaign features T-shirts designed by Donna Karan, proceeds benefit the Women’s Cancer Research Fund.

Thurman says, “everyone I know has been affected by breast cancer one way or the other….It is vital that we work toward a cure as well as develop more accurate and advance testing.

“For me, it’s not just about dressing women; it’s about addressing the issues that are so important to all of us.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. This year, they predict more than 40,000 women will lose their battles against breast cancer. The staggering statistics means that 110 women will die each day, five every hour. Research is the key, actress Patricia Clarkson says, there have been great advances in the fight against breast cancer, there is much more to be discovered.

The campaign, which has raised over $33 million in the last 12 years, will kick off this Fall; shirts will be on sale starting October 21 in Saks Fifth Avenue stores around the country.

Joan Horning Jewelry, 100% of profits support charities of the customer's choosing.

I don’t even know where to begin in explaining all that Joan Hornig the person and Joan Hornig the jewelry company is. To date, I have not come across (and mind you, I search a lot!) another company which is so aggressively philanthropic. Maybe that’s because Joan views her company as more than just a business, but an opportunity to leave a legacy of giving in the hearts of her customers and fans. Joan donates an unprecedented 100% of profits from all of her jewelry to charities of the purchaser’s choice. And by 100% of profits, this means after the cost of materials and production, not the cost of overhead for the business.

As you can see from the images, JHJ is beautiful, colorful and inspired by nature. But, JHJ  means more than just  hand-made exquisite pieces featuring shimmering stones and precious metals (and believe me, these pictures do not do her jewelry justice). The act of purchasing and wearing a Joan Hornig piece means rising to the challenge of giving back by choosing a charity to benefit from your action and telling your friends of the special meaning behind your jewelry. Joan wants her jewelry to inspire the purchaser to “use beauty and fashion in a new way.”

Joan also wants to instill the idea of paying it forward with her customers. The designer chooses to actively participate in charity auctions and fundraisers by donating pieces to the charities of her loyal customers.

Joan Hornig Jewelry is available online and at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks in New Orleans, Neimans in Palm Beach, The Philanthropist Boutique in San Francisco and many other high-end independent boutiques across America.

On a side note, Joan Hornig, the person, is the inspiration behind this website and the inspiration behind my desire to use brand philanthropy as a means to change the world.

Joan Hornig, the designer

Actress Katherine Heigl wearing Joan's Freshwater Pearl Necklace

For 25 years, Italian fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli has been making some of the world’s finest cashmere clothing with a refined yet casual aristocracy-meets- the Ivy League feel. He has also been running his business with an eye toward philanthropy and ethical business practices.

Employing a good percentage of the locals, his designs are made in rural Italy in the village of Solomeo.  Brunello treats his employees with respect and values each of their opinions. There are no hierarchies and the employees do not clock in (they even have their own keys to the premises).

His ultimate goal is to have “a form of modern capitalsim where profit is used to improve the condition of human life.”

The brand supports the Ale Foundation by raising money through events and activities throughout the year. The Ale Foundation is a non-profit working toward improving the lives of children in need.

Cucinelli has boutiques in SoHo, the Hamptons and Beverly Hills. His collections can also be found at Bergdorf and Saks.

The Bering collection features necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and cuff-links priced between $700 – $28,500. She uses an interesting variety of materials such as walrus, caribou and baleen ivory;  diamonds and rose gold – all of which are eco-friendly and conflict free.

The collection is hand-made and is a collaboration between Pean and Alaskan Eskimos. Pean hopes to raise awareness of the indigenous culture by creating this socially responsible, wearable art.

The Alaska Native Arts Foundation works to promote local artists, bring their works to market and increase awareness of native Alaskan culture. You can purchase jewelry, clothing, accessories and home decor on their site and even read about the very artist who created it!

Monique Pean Aleut Walrus Ivory Bracelet, $6,400 - 10% goes to Alaska Native Arts Foundation

Judith Ripka specializes in unique, ornate fine jewelry, making use of both precious and semi-precious stones. Her collections have been picked up by Saks, Neimans & Bergdorf; to date, there are 13 boutiques in 12 American cities. Celebrity fans include Kelly Preston, Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts among many others.

Founded over a decade ago, Dress for Success is an international non-profit that assists underprivileged women in gaining their economic freedom by providing them with professional clothing for interviews and career coaching. There are more than 90 chapters in cities across the US and abroad.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck showing off a tunic she designed herself for the collection

In celebration of the brand’s 50th anniversary, Lilly has partnered with 9 celebrity women (Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angie Harmon, Marcia Cross, Catherine Bell, Debra Messing, Brooke Shields, Bridget Moynahan and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon) to design a special S/S 09 collection benefiting the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (EBMRF).

The collection, “A Colorful Cause” is classic preppy Pulitzer  and includes swim suits, caftans, dresses and skirts. While the celebrities designed the pieces themselves, they did not stray too far from the signature design elements of the brand: pastels, brights, prints, embroidery and embellishments.

The best element of the collection is that 15% of the proceeds are donated to EBMRF. This foundation supports research and treatment for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare skin disease affecting children and adults. There are approximately 100,000 Americans suffering from this congenital disease characterized by blisters and open wounds continuously appearing on the body. To date, EBMFR has raised over $5M for research efforts.

Marcia tunic designed by Desparate Housewives star Marcia Cross, $248 - 15% goes to EBMRF skin disease charity