Meet the winners of the 2025 People’s Choice Award for the Purple Totes Grant Contest
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Purple Totes Grant Contest. More than 4,700 team members globally collected and donated over 3,500 totes filled with essential items for 74 local nonprofits. Now it is time to meet the winners of this year’s contest and learn about the nonprofits they supported. Each of these nonprofits will receive a $5,000 USD grant.
Most Creative Winner: SEW FedEx Cares
Our most creative award went to the team from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., SEW FedEx Cares. This team of 10 team members collected around 70 totes for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin. This nonprofit offers a supportive and comfortable environment for families whose children are undergoing medical treatment, providing accommodation and essential resources at little to no cost. Since its inception as a 25-room facility, it has expanded to 84 private guest rooms, nine kitchens, and thoughtfully designed communal spaces that encourage connection and respite. The organization remains dedicated to its mission of keeping families together and focused on their child’s health during challenging times. Learn more about the nonprofit here.
Most Impactful Winner: XMN EF Team
The most impactful team was the XMN EF Team from Xiamen, China. The XMN EF Team of 23 team members helped to collect 10 totes for Xiamen Star Baby Children's Enlightenment Center. The Xiamen Star Baby Children's Enlightenment Center, founded in 2014, provides professional educational and rehabilitation services for children with autism. As some of their early students have now reached adulthood and are looking for job opportunities, they created the “Lucky Star Second-hand Goods Transfer Station,” a dedicated vocational training and practice platform for autistic youth.
Most Engaging Winner: Purple Wool Movement
The Purple Wool Movement team from Rome, Italy, took home the most engaging award this year. Their team of eight FedEx team members donated 20 totes to Gomitolorosa. Gomitolorosa is an Italian philanthropic organization committed to promoting knitting as a therapeutic tool to reduce anxiety in cancer patients. It is present in 40 Italian oncology units, including four pediatric hospitals, reaching approximately 8,000 patients per year. The yarn balls used for knitting are native Italian wool recovered from special waste, transforming it into a charitable and therapeutic resource. Learn more about the nonprofit here.
Be sure to check out the first-place winners of the 2025 Purple Totes Grant Contest here!
Note: Award of the grant for nonprofits that do not have a U.S. affiliate or are not a registered Canadian charity are subject to final vetting and approval by CAF America.