Funko Introduces Philanthropic-Driven Initiative, Pops! With Purpose
By Staff Reports
Funko, Inc. (“Funko,” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: FNKO), a leading pop culture consumer products company, today announced its new philanthropic driven initiative, Pops! With Purpose, tying Funko Pop! characters to causes that are important to employees, Funko fans and the greater community. The program will kick-off through an auction at FunKon 2021, followed by an expansive product assortment next year with Make-A-Wish®.
“Throughout Funko’s history, community has been at the heart of all of our efforts,” explained Andrew Perlmutter, President at Funko. “When fans decide to purchase and display a Pop! With Purpose, they are signifying their support for a cause that contributes to making the world a more kind and equitable place for all.”
“We know that wishes have the ability to help children build the emotional and physical strength they need to fight a critical illness,” said LuAnn Bott, Vice President of Revenue Partnerships and Services for Make-A-Wish America. “Through the sale of their wish-inspired Pop! figures, Funko will enable even more wish kids to experience the life-changing impact of a wish come true.”
With a proven history of community engagement through the Funko Cares program, Funko’s Pops! With Purpose expands on partnerships with new and existing philanthropic organizations. Since introducing its Funko Cares Program in 2018, Funko has given back to the community through monetary and product donations.
Inspired by its diverse employee and fan base alongside a culture of inclusivity, Funko partnered with the It Gets Better Project for the second year in a row by releasing a Pops! With Purpose Pride collection.
“Funko is a natural, value-aligned partner for the It Gets Better Project,” said It Gets Better Project Executive Director Brian Wenke. “Through their queer interpretations of iconic characters known and loved by so many, Funko is sending a message to all LGBTQ+ young people that they are not alone – and that there is a broad, multi-faceted community here to support them. Funko’s unwavering commitment to sustaining our life-affirming resources, while fueling the joy of others, is an ideal combination with the capacity to positively impact young queer people everywhere.”
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation has been a Funko Cares partner for two years, with Funko donations funding over 1,500 hours of critical research.
“Even as breast cancer cases around the world are on the rise, we’ve never been closer to eradicating this life-threatening disease,” said BCRF CEO and President Myra Biblowit. “By partnering with BCRF, Funko is supporting groundbreaking, lifesaving science. Together, we will bring the end of breast cancer into focus.”
Funko recently learned about the impactful work young people are performing across the globe through Rivet, an organization accelerating the youth revolution. Coming this fall, Funko will introduce licensed products tied to real-life heroes: Andrea Bautista Gomez, Tony Weaver and Avalon Jade Theisen.
“Rivet was built on the belief that young people have the power to lead social change today, not someday. We partner with brands like Funko to fund and amplify the work of young people leading social change in their communities,” said Rivet CEO Eric Dawson. “And we could not dream of a better partnership to provide these young people with the visibility and reach they deserve.”
Inspired by employees and fans that have protected and served the United States, Funko has supported military families through its partnership with Operation Homefront. Funko’s employees participate in Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade®, an annual nationwide school supply collection and distribution campaign.
“We are excited about our growing partnership with Funko as they clearly share our commitment to helping our military families not only start strong, but also stay strong as they serve our great nation and as they transition back into their civilian communities,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., President and CEO of Operation Homefront. “These collectibles will serve as a special tribute to this very deserving group of fellow Americans as we work to help them for all they have done in our nation’s time of need.”
Each Pop! With Purpose figure sold will feature a designated sticker and box art indicating that Funko has made a charitable donation to the organization. Fans can stay up-to-date on Funko’s Pops! With Purpose initiative by following Funko on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @OriginalFunko.