At Armadillo, Giving Back is the Only Way Forward
Founded in 2009 by Jodie Fried and Sally Pottharst, Armadillo has always been driven by ethics as well as aesthetics. With an underlying passion to create healthy environments with sustainable, natural products as well as care for the rug makers, their families and the wider community.
Their commitment to social responsibility and community involvement lead to the formation of The Armadillo Foundation in 2017, its sole mission and purpose is to enhance and improve the lives of underprivileged communities through the provision of educational, health and community structures.
The Ivy House proudly shares Armadillo's values and is honoured to bring their beautiful handcrafted rugs to New Zealand homes.
Fundraising
The Armadillo Foundation is funded through proceeds from Armadillo sales, with 10% of net profits from each product sold contributed to the charity. Further financial support is generated through company-run and individual employee fundraising initiatives and events, and direct donations from customers, individuals and corporations.
In India
Armadillo is a longstanding sponsor of the Kantilal Vidya Mandir (KVM) School, a co-ed institution that educates many of our artisan’s children.
Armadillo fully funds KVM’s overheads, including staff salaries, textbooks, teaching aids, school uniforms, furniture, equipment, utilities, maintenance, and improvements. Armadillo was instrumental in converting the school to renewable energy, and the school has entirely run via renewables since 2018.
The Armadillo Foundation also sponsors a local medical clinic, including subsidising the salary of a full-time nurse. The clinic provides students, families, and local village residents with free medical care. The clinic also holds free biannual eye checks for KVM students and bestows free glasses to those with any sight problems.
The Foundation runs a scholarship program, supporting 4 students to complete secondary school each year. Each nine-year scholarship provides total funding for each child to attend a local English-medium school and covers school fees, bicycles for transportation, textbooks, uniforms, and other associated costs.
In Australia
Armadillo partner with Stars Foundation, which was established in 2015 to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls nationwide attend school, complete Year 12 and transition to tertiary study or the workforce. The program provides a culturally safe and nurturing environment, based on academic as well as personal development, to give girls and young women the skills and confidence needed to successfully participate in school and transition into a positive and independent future.
In the USA
Armadillo support the Los Angeles and New York chapters of Girls Inc, a national non-profit founded in 1864 with the goal to inspire girls to grow up strong, smart and bold. Serving girls between the age of 5 to 18+ across 350 cities, many of who are navigating social and economic barriers, their programs teach healthy living so girls are able to make informed decisions, provide academic enrichment to cultivate a love of learning, and build life skills to assist with goal setting and increasing resilience.
Armadillo are a truly sustainable company – for the good of the world we live in and all who journey with them.