The Giving Keys

The Giving Keys (TGK) is a Los Angeles-based jewelry company founded by singer-songwriter and actress Caitlin Crosby.[1] Working to repurpose old & new keys into modern jewelry and accessories, The Giving Keys stamps inspiring words on keys and then creates necklaces, bracelets, and have in the past created rings, earrings, and iPhone cases with the engraved keys. Recipients of the accessories are encouraged to one day give their key away to someone who needs the message more than they do.[2] The Giving Keys keeps an active blog of stories of customers who "pay it forward" and give their key away.

The Giving Keys
IndustryRetail
Founded2008
FounderCaitlin Crosby
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
U.S.
Products
  • Jewelry
Websitewww.thegivingkeys.com

TGK employs local residents who are transitioning out of homelessness to create their product.[3] TGK has partnered with Chrysalis, PATH, and United Way to support homeless populations in Los Angeles County.[4] The Giving Keys is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States, and can be found in over 1200 retail locations worldwide, including Nordstrom, TOMS Marketplace,[5] Kitson,[6] Fred Segal,[7] Anthropologie,[8] Sevenly,[9] and Altar'd State.[10]

History

The Giving Keys was founded in 2008. Founder Caitlin Crosby has detailed the origins of The Giving Keys in The Huffington Post and at a TEDx event (TEDxBend). Crosby took to wearing an old hotel key as jewelry and one day asked a locksmith to engrave the word LOVE on the key. As friends and fans took interest in her key, she decided to make her own line of key necklaces with inspiring words on them to sell at her concerts. Shortly after launching the jewelry line, Crosby attended a movie screening by Invisible Children in Hollywood. Touched by the experience, she struck up conversation with a homeless couple (named Rob and Cera) outside the movie theater after the film. Crosby offered to take the couple out for a meal and complimented Cera on her necklace. Cera mentioned that she designed it herself, and in a moment of impulse, Crosby invited the couple to be her business partners and help her produce her high-demand jewelry.[11][12] Over the few years, the company has grown rapidly; as of August 2014 TGK has employed 19 people transitioning out of homelessness.

The Giving Keys has been featured on The Today Show,[13] and in Elle,[14] People,[15] E! News,[16] Last Call with Carson Daly,[17] MTV,[18] Relevant magazine,[19] and The Huffington Post.[20]

Non-profit partnerships

The Giving Keys has partnered with a Los Angeles-based non-profit called Chrysalis. Chrysalis helps The Giving Keys select appropriate jewelry makers from their client database.[21] [22] In addition to supporting formerly homeless populations via Chrysalis, PATH and United Way, The Giving Keys has partnered with various cause-based charities to help them raise funds. Partnerships have included Invisible Children, Project Semicolon [23] 31 Bits,[24] Keep A Breast,[25] So Worth Loving,[26] Able Made,[27] Liberty in North Korea,[28] Not for Sale,[29] and Saving Innocence.[30]

References
  1. Crosby, Caitlin. "Caitlin Crosby". Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  2. "The Giving Keys: Pay It Forward". Keep A Breast Foundation. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  3. "The Giving Keys". Saving Innocence. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  4. "Caitlin Crosby and The Giving Keys". Hello Giggles. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  5. "Get To Know: The Giving Keys". TOMS. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  6. "Create Key Necklace". Kitson. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  7. Tishgart, Sierra. "Giving Back: Caitlin Crosby of The Giving Keys". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  8. "Giving Key Necklace". Anthropologie. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  9. "The Giving Keys: Give Giving Key Necklace". Sevenly. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  10. "Causes". Altar'd State. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  11. Crosby, Caitlin (13 January 2012). "The Giving Keys". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  12. Crosby, Caitlin (20 May 2013). "Love is the Key: Caitlin Crosby at TEDxBend". TEDxBend. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  13. Thomas, Bobbie (26 April 2013). "Bobbie's Buzz: Go Green in Style". The Today Show. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  14. Valenti, Lauren (5 November 2013). "See What's in Store at the Just-Launched TOMS Marketplance". Elle. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  15. Soper, John (18 December 2013). "Gifts That Give Back: This Stylish Accessory Helps Give Homeless People a 'Key' to a New Life". People Magazine. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  16. Bell, Kristen (6 December 2013). "Kristen Bell's 2013 Holiday Gift Guide". E! News. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  17. Daly, Carson (4 November 2013). "Caitlin Crosby". Last Call with Carson Daly. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  18. Regis, Sian-Pierre (27 May 2011). "'Hard Times' Cast Member Caitlin Crosby Talks 'The Giving Keys'". MTV. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  19. "The Giving Keys". Relevant Magazine. Jan–Feb 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  20. Crosby, Caitlin (13 January 2012). "The Giving Keys". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  21. Moore, Brit. "The Giving Keys: Benefiting Others Through Business". Qideas.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  22. "Who We Are". Chrysalis. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
  23. "Project Semicolon". PRoject Semicolon. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  24. "Celebrate With 31 Bits & The Giving Keys". 31 Bits. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  25. "The Giving Keys: Pay It Forward". Keep A Breast Foundation. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  26. "Limited Edition". So Worth Loving. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  27. "Able Made x The Giving Keys". Able Made. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  28. "Liberty Key Necklace". Liberty in North Korea. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  29. "Giving Keys Now Available". Not for Sale. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  30. "The Giving Keys". Saving Innocence. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
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