Sol de Janeiro, the global beauty brand recognized for its multi-sensorial products and Brazilian-inspired ethos, launched the Sol de Janeiro Foundation with the mission to make the world a better place while feeling good doing it.

Established in 2024, the Sol de Janeiro Foundation supports the regeneration and conservation of biodiversity and the empowerment of young women worldwide.

To date, Sol de Janeiro has donated $6 million to the Foundation ($4 million in FY25 and $2 million so far in FY26), with a total of $7 million committed by the end of FY26.  

Since launching, the Foundation has committed $5.77 million in grants, leading to the protection and restoration of rainforests, increasing access to clean water, and expanding opportunities for young women across the globe.

As the Foundation’s sole donor, Sol de Janeiro underscores that this commitment to driving impact is not dependent on outside donations, ensuring its success is directly fueled by the brand.

Heela Yang, Chairwoman & President of the Foundation board and Co-Founder and CEO of Sol de Janeiro, said, 

“We’ve always believed that beauty and responsibility go hand in hand, and thus the Sol de Janeiro Foundation was born. Our brand draws inspiration and key ingredients from nature, particularly the rich biodiversity of Brazil. But nature is under threat, and so are the futures of millions of girls around the world who face barriers to opportunity. The Foundation is our way of giving back and ensuring our success drives meaningful impact.”

The Foundation aims to ignite change that is both tangible and transformational, nurturing the planet and the people who care for it.

Biodiversity

Initial biodiversity investments focus on the conservation and restoration of Brazil’s Atlantic and Amazon Rainforests. 

Grantees include Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), which is developing biodiversity corridors to reconnect critical fragments of forest in southern Bahia. SOS Mata Atlântica is expanding its nursery capacity to produce 1.7 million native seedlings over the next five years. Filha do Sol is empowering local women leaders with training in climate resilience and biodiversity restoration practices.

Women’s Empowerment

Through its New Generation of Women pillar, the Foundation funds organizations with global reach that equip young women with the confidence, resources, and skills needed to shape their own futures. 

Its five-year grant to the Girls Opportunity Alliance— a program of the Obama Foundation—advances efforts to educate adolescent girls around the world, unlocking opportunities that can transform families and communities. 

To date, they have reached over 120,000 girls in over 40 countries.

The Sol de Janeiro Foundation will continue to develop partnerships in Brazil and beyond to further amplify the crucial work they are committed to. 

To mark this major milestone, the Sol de Janeiro Foundation served as the Presenting Sponsor of the BrazilFoundation New York Gala on September 18th at the Plaza. 

Held in honor of BrazilFoundation’s 25th anniversary, the gala brought together influential change makers and supporters to raise funds for social impact projects across Brazil, including those supported by the Sol de Janeiro Foundation.

Read Next

Sol de Janeiro Debuts Body Badalada Vitamin Infused Lotion

Sol de Janeiro Named Coachella’s First-Ever Fragrance Partner