Since its beginnings, Aesop has prioritised support for the communities in which it operates. From humble gestures at the store level to significant donations to charity partners, Aesop has long contributed in ways that help fulfil unmet needs. As a Certified B Corporation®, Aesop meets the highest verified social and environmental performance standards, transparency, and accountability. The Aesop Foundation goes beyond, embracing our role as global citizens with responsibilities to all people and the planet. The Aesop Foundation believes those directly impacted by exclusion have the courage, ability, and passion for creating a better world. As allies, we want our generosity to magnify the efforts of these communities to lead and drive change. It is important that we show up in the right way. To this end, we will be intentional about investing in diverse organisations.

The Aesop Foundation believes in trust-based philanthropy and seeks to support partners with unrestricted grants over multiple years—meaning that these partners are then free to decide how the money should be spent.

The organisational structure of the Foundation is deliberately small, to maximise the resources that can be provided to its partners. As a result, the Foundation is currently unable to accept unsolicited applications.

Because applying for a grant takes time and energy, the process aims to be as transparent and efficient as possible for those who are invited to apply.