Two Ten Footwear Foundation

What Two Ten Footwear Foundation does

Two Ten Footwear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, that delivers emergency financial relief, counseling and employee assistance, college scholarships, and professional development grants to workers and dependents in the U.S. footwear industry. Founded in the 1930s, the foundation is the only philanthropic organization solely dedicated to this vertical, and it is industry-funded and industry-led, with a board composed of senior executives from companies such as Caleres, ALDO, Steve Madden, New Balance, Wolverine Worldwide, Foot Locker, and Nordstrom. Its revenue model is charitable giving: individual donations, corporate partnerships (including event sponsorships, multi-year pledges, and inventory donation through the Share Your Shoes program), and event fundraising. Signature annual fundraising is the Two Ten Gala, held during FFANY Market Week in New York, which raised nearly $650,000 in 2026 with approximately 750 attendees.

The foundation's product set is a portfolio of grant, scholarship, and community programs rather than a commercial technology product. Core services include disaster relief, hardship relief, counseling (legal, financial, mental health), higher education scholarships (cumulative $30M since 1969), and upskilling grants. Community programs include Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) and HR Hub, supported by industry association partnerships with FFANY, NSRA, FFANY, NSRA, SSIA, USRA, and Boston Shoe Travelers. Distribution is primarily self-serve through the twoten.org website and corporate partner outreach. The foundation does not sell products or services; all offerings are provided free to eligible footwear workers and their families, funded by charitable contributions. Recent strategic activity has been governance-led, with multiple Fortune-1000 footwear executives added to the board in 2026.

Name

Two Ten Footwear Foundation

Legal name

Two Ten Footwear Foundation

Website

https://twoten.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Two Ten Footwear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing emergency financial relief, scholarships, counseling, and community programs to U.S. footwear industry workers and their families, funded by individual donations, corporate partnerships, and its annual gala.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation for the Footwear Industry

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Casual & Lifestyle Footwear (CRAAACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Outdoor Clothing & Footwear Retail (Camping/Hiking/Climbing) (CRAMAMAK)

Keywords

• Footwear industry philanthropy
• Employee assistance programs
• Disaster relief grants
• Educational scholarships
• Nonprofit community building

Headquarters

HQ city

Waltham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals working in the footwear industry and general public. The foundation operates on donations to fund its grant programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship and charitable contributions from footwear industry companies including event sponsors, annual gala supporters, and multi-year donors. Companies like Aldo Group ($375,000 donation), Caleres, and Rack Room Shoes contribute significantly.
3. Event Revenue: Annual Gala generates fundraising revenue through ticket sales and live fundraising appeals. The 2026 Gala raised nearly $650,000.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Two Ten Footwear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency financial relief, hardship assistance, college scholarships, professional development grants, and counseling/employee assistance services free of charge to U.S. footwear industry workers and their families. It is funded by individual donations and corporate partnerships within the footwear industry and supplements its programs with community-building initiatives such as WIFI and the HR Hub, as well as an annual fundraising gala held during FFANY Market Week.

Product overview

Two Ten Footwear Foundation operates as a nonprofit charitable organization offering a suite of support services for the U.S. footwear industry community. The core offerings include emergency financial relief programs for disaster and hardship situations, counseling and employee assistance services, and educational funding through college scholarships and professional development grants. These are complemented by community-building initiatives including the Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) networking group and HR Hub for industry professionals. The organization also hosts the annual Two Ten Gala as its primary fundraising event. The organization does not offer a commercial technology product but rather provides charitable programs and community services funded by industry donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WIFI (Women in the Footwear Industry): Women in the Footwear Industry networking and affinity group that engages thousands of women annually, providing professional networking, mentoring, and community for women in the footwear industry.

Products and services

• Disaster Relief Grants
• Hardship Relief Grants
• Scholarships for Higher Education
• Counseling & Employee Assistance
• Professional Development Grants
• Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI)
• HR Hub
• Share Your Shoes
• Two Ten Annual Gala

Quantifiable outcome

• $15M in disaster and hardship relief awarded in just the last five years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Footwear News (FN)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenting the FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event, an annual forum celebrating influential women in the footwear industry held during market week in New York.
• Kenneth Cole ProductionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaker at the 2026 FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• Harlem's Fashion RowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaker at the 2026 FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• Bloomingdale'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaker at the 2026 FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• New Balance AthleticscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaker and sponsor of the 2026 FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• Wolverine WorldwidecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpeaker and sponsor of the 2026 FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event; supporter of Two Ten initiatives
• CalerescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• EccominorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• Foot LockercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• PumaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• Rack Room ShoescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event; nearly $1 million contributed over nearly three decades
• Steve MaddencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• Toms ShoesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event
• Aldo GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated $375,000 to Two Ten's Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) Initiative
• OrtholiteminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Gala live fundraising contribution of additional $25,000
• ALDO GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAdditional $25,000 contribution announced at 2026 Gala
• Shoes That FitminorOthersNonprofit organization that provides children with new, properly fitting shoes; Tacey Powers serves on the board
• Boston Shoe Travelers AssociationcoreOthersIndustry association collaboration
• Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY)coreOthersCo-manages FFANY Market Week during which Two Ten holds its Annual Gala
• National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA)minorOthersIndustry association collaboration
• National Shoe TravelersminorOthersIndustry association collaboration
• Shoe Service Institute of America (SSIA)minorOthersIndustry association collaboration
• United Shoe Retailers Association (USRA)minorOthersIndustry association collaboration
• Fashion Institute of TechnologyminorOthersEducational institution collaboration
• Pensole Lewis College of Business & DesignminorOthersEducational institution collaboration
• Soles4SoulsminorOthersNonprofit partner in footwear charitable initiatives

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Soles4Souls: Nonprofit organization that distributes shoes to people in need globally and provides footwear-industry charitable giving. Directly comparable as a footwear-industry-focused charity with corporate donor programs and disaster-relief orientation.
• Shoes That Fit: Nonprofit that provides new shoes to children in need across the U.S. Comparable as a footwear-focused charity funded by industry donations, with direct ties to the footwear industry through board leadership and corporate sponsorships.
• Samaritan's Feet: Nonprofit providing shoes to underprivileged children and communities globally. Comparable as a footwear-distribution and relief charity with corporate sponsor engagement and disaster-response programs.

Broad incumbents

• Entertainment Industry Foundation: Large nonprofit serving entertainment industry workers and their families with emergency financial assistance, scholarships, and counseling. Highly comparable as an industry-specific philanthropic foundation serving workers of a single vertical with similar program mix (relief, education, counseling).
• The Actors Fund: National nonprofit providing social services, financial assistance, and health support to performing arts and entertainment professionals. Comparable as an industry-specific foundation offering emergency aid, counseling, scholarships, and housing support funded by industry donors.
• Motion Picture & Television Fund: Charitable organization serving film and television industry workers through financial assistance, health care, and social services. Comparable as an industry-vertical nonprofit providing emergency relief and wraparound support services to workers.
• Robin Hood Foundation: Major New York-based poverty-fighting nonprofit funded by corporate and individual donors. Comparable as a large, well-rated (4-star) nonprofit combining grantmaking with program delivery, though with a different beneficiary scope.

Regional players

• Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY): Trade association for the footwear industry that co-hosts FFANY Market Week during which Two Ten holds its Annual Gala. Comparable as a footwear-industry association serving a similar constituency, though focused on trade promotion rather than worker welfare.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/two_ten

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Two Ten Footwear Foundation