UNICEF's corporate partnerships

US Fund for UNICEF and Pier 1

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF have been partners since 1985, generating more than $26 million for the world’s children.  As the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s longest-running partnership, Pier 1 Imports’ support over 22 years has included the sale of greeting cards, grants for emergencies and cause-marketing programs. 

Clay Aiken pictured with 2006 Pier1/UNICEF/Weekly Reader Greeting Card Contest winners: Annie Burbach (13) of Dubuque, IA, Linda Yu (12) of Lake Oswego, OR and Canadian winner, Fannie Mottet (13) of Rosemere, Quebec.

Holiday Greeting Cards
Since it began selling the UNICEF holiday greeting cards in 1985, Pier 1 has donated 100% of proceeds from the sale of the cards to UNICEF.  In 2006 alone, Pier 1 generated close to $2 million through the sale of UNICEF cards, including the winning cards from the annual children’s contest.  Pier 1 began sponsoring the annual UNICEF/Pier 1/Weekly Reader Greeting Card Contest in 1992 as a way to help raise awareness among U.S. children about UNICEF’s important work around the world. Each year, the winning designs of two young artists are chosen from among thousands of entries and are reproduced as UNICEF cards. The winning cards are available exclusively at Pier 1 stores nationwide and through their website.

Mother's Day
Since 2003, Pier 1 has celebrated Mother's Day with a variety of cause-marketing programs. For Mother’s Day 2007, Pier 1 Imports worked with Universal Music Special Markets to create a compilation CD of inspirational songs from various recording artists who pay tribute to the special bond between mother and child.  The CD retailed for $12 and 25 percent of the purchase price (less tax) went to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF toward UNICEF programming efforts to build a better world for women and children. Since 2003, Pier 1’s cause marketing efforts alone have raised more than $360,000, helping improve the lives of countless children and mothers.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Since 2000, Pier 1 Imports has served as a national Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box distribution retailer.  Pier 1 and Pier 1 Kids stores prominently display and distribute free collection boxes in over 1,200 stores across the country during the month of October.

Grants
Pier 1 made corporate donations to support UNICEF's emergency relief efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Back to National Partnerships