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From its origins as an eyewear e-commerce retailer just over 10 years ago, Warby Parker kept social purpose as a core part of its business approach. The company’s “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” concept helped to support the work of VisionSpring and also resonated with a new generation of consumers who were drawn to the contemporary idea of connecting purchases to a good cause.

In this particular year, as Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of the company discussed during this year’s virtual VM Global Leadership Summit, the company pivoted its sense of corporate social responsibility. At the start of the pandemic, it provided PPE to those on the frontlines.





In addition, the company has recently taken steps to promote more diversity and inclusion initiatives, which has included publishing a more robust Racial Equity Strategy, partnering with New England College of Optometry to provide scholarships to Black optometry students, and stepping up as one of three lead sponsors (along with National Vision and MyEyeDr.) with Black Eyecare Perspective on career fairs at HBCUs across the country.

And, in the months leading up to the national election, Warby Parker joined with other corporate leaders to take steps to encourage both employees and customers to vote, including providing employees with paid time off to vote and volunteer as poll workers in the upcoming election. The company is a dedicated partner to Civic Alliance, Business For America, and Time to Vote to amplify the importance of providing all Americans with the access, resources, and time they need to vote.

More recently, Warby was one of 23 companies who pledged to support LGBTQ refugees. The Tent Partnership for Refugees, a network of over 130 major companies committed to integrating refugees, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, joined forces for the program.

Warby has committed to mentoring LGBTQ refugees in New York, “At Warby Parker, we’ve always strived to create an environment where our teams can bring their authentic selves to work. Our hope is that we can provide that support to the LGBTQ+ refugee community as they seek new and continued employment opportunities,” said Blumenthal

The company continues to be transparent about its activities and values through its Impact Report, which is available on its website. Blumenthal said, “We believe that businesses are part of a community and should give back.”