Isagenix Expands Platform for Giving with Isagenix Legacy Foundation

The Isagenix Legacy Foundation debut had been months in the making, and expectations were high. Executives at Isagenix International, a global health and wellness company headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona, were confident the company’s independent distributors, customers, and employees who had given so generously to others over the years would demonstrate that generosity again. As expected, the Isagenix family did not disappoint. During its first 24 hours of fundraising in August, the Isagenix Legacy Foundation raised $2.3 million, exceeding a $2 million goal. That sum included $1 million from company Co-Founders Jim and Kathy Coover, who had pledged to match every dollar raised during the first day of fundraising up to $1 million.

“Jim and I were so moved by how the Isagenix family embraced the Foundation,” said Kathy Coover, Isagenix co-founder and executive vice president. “Based on our company’s long history of contribution, we knew we would see a positive response, but people truly went above and beyond.”

The donations will fund grants to nonprofit organizations that further the Foundation’s mission to provide healthy nutrition for underserved children, wellness education for all, and aid for those affected by natural disasters. To ensure 100 percent of donations and the resulting grants have maximum impact, Isagenix is covering the Foundation’s administrative costs.

Nonprofits that wish to partner with the Isagenix Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, can apply for grants starting in the fourth quarter. The first grants will be awarded at the Isagenix New Year Kick Off 2019 event in January in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Isagenix Legacy Foundation launched Aug. 6 at the Isagenix Global Celebration 2018 event in Nashville, Tennessee. Isagenix created the Foundation to expand the company’s platform for giving and align its philanthropic efforts with its mission to impact world health, said Jim Coover, Isagenix co-founder and chairman of the Isagenix Board.

“We’ve always been passionate about giving back, and as our business grew, so did our desire to strategically expand the company’s charitable efforts,” he said. “The Foundation will allow Isagenix to partner with multiple nonprofit organizations that help ensure children have proper nutrition, people are educated and empowered to live a healthy life, and families can recover from natural disasters.”

Founded in 2002, Isagenix has long embodied its core value of contribution and has received multiple honors for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of Phoenix Business Journal’s Largest Corporate Philanthropists in 2017. The company gives back through product and monetary donations, volunteerism, and partnerships with nonprofits.

In 2017 alone, Isagenix contributed $6.4 million in monetary and product donations to charitable and disaster-relief causes around the world. Those donations included providing much-needed nutrition to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico. The company donated products with a retail value of nearly $700,000 to those affected by the devastation in that area. During the first eight months of 2018, Isagenix has donated products with a retail value of $2.5 million to seven charities across the U.S., including Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank in Chandler, Arizona, St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona, and the American Red Cross in the Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso region.

Isagenix employees regularly volunteer in the community, both on their own and with co-workers. Teams of Isagenix volunteers have supported Arizona nonprofits including Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children, and Habitat for Humanity. Employees have also participated in the company’s biggest annual volunteer effort, Global Give Back Day, which promotes giving back to local communities and protecting the environment. In Arizona alone, Isagenix employees and customers supported the 2018 Global Give Back Day with a variety of activities such as visiting Feed My Starving Children in Mesa, where they packed 32,400 meals that will feed 88 children in the Philippines for a year.

As a company, Isagenix partners with nonprofits to support important causes. For the past two years, it has served as the sole corporate sponsor of the Better Business Bureau’s BBB Ethical Athlete Scholarship. The company’s $50,000 annual investment allows the BBB to recognize a male and a female high school athlete in Arizona every month of the school year for doing the right thing. In addition, since 2012, Isagenix has raised nearly $10 million with customers, independent distributors, and employees for Make-A-Wish®, helping the nonprofit grant over 938 wishes.

Thanks to the Isagenix Legacy Foundation, Isagenix can now make an even greater impact, as nonprofits from around the world can apply for grants, and those grants are funded by donations that can come from a variety of sources, including:

• Isagenix customers and independent distributors who use the company’s autoship service to receive products monthly can add recurring donations to their orders.
• Customers and independent distributors who don’t use the company’s autoship service can add one-time donations to their orders.
• Independent distributors can donate a percentage of their commissions each week.
• Customers and independent distributors who attend Isagenix events or participate via livestream can donate through the company’s event app.
• The general public can donate by visiting the Isagenix Legacy Foundation’s donation webpage or emailing LegacyFoundation@IsagenixCorp.com.

The Isagenix Legacy Foundation is encouraging donations through multiple communications channels, including calls for donations at Isagenix events and targeted emails to Isagenix independent distributors known for their philanthropic efforts, key community influencers, and elected officials.

Nonprofits interested in applying for grants can begin submitting applications in the fourth quarter on the Foundation website. The Foundation’s board will select grant recipients after a thorough review process, ensuring each recipient’s vision aligns with the Foundation’s mission. The board expects to accept applications and award grants twice per year.  

In addition to funding grants, a key component of the Foundation will be a volunteer program that encourages Isagenix independent distributors, customers, and employees to donate their time to nonprofits in their communities. Participants will be able to promote volunteer opportunities to others through a mobile app and raise money and awareness for the Foundation through personalized fundraising websites. These features are expected to launch in November. 

As the Foundation continues fundraising and prepares to accept grant applications, anticipation for the resulting impact on communities around the world is building.

“The Isagenix Legacy Foundation provides an incredible opportunity for Isagenix to partner with anyone, anywhere to help those who need assistance the most when they need it the most, which aligns with our company’s mission to impact world health,” said Travis Ogden, Isagenix chief executive officer. “We’re honored to join forces with like-minded people and nonprofit organizations so together, we can shape a lasting legacy.”