"Grant for Change" Now Open for Nominations

Nau's first annual Grant for Change is to support those who instigate lasting, positive change in their communities.

This year's $10,000 grant will highlight the efforts of people who move in the spirit of the Nau Collective…

ATHLETES who are challenging assumptions about what it means to move through the world.

ARTISTS, designers or other creatives who are moved to design better solutions to the world's greatest problems.

ACTIVISTS who are seeding positive change in their communities, and moving others to do the same.

Visit the website to nominate someone. Nominations are open 'til August 17th, the voting 'til August 31st.

Nau The Good News

Better than a Freddie Krueger movie - Nau has been resurrected. After reporting on the demise of innovative retailer, Nau, rights to the brand have been purchased by Horny Toad. The good news is that Nau will continue operations, albeit with a slight change to the business model.

The company reports, "Our new Nau will be smaller, and will grow more slowly, and though our ambitions have been tempered a bit by the realities of the marketplace, our passions are still very much intact." Nau will retain its autonomy as a business separate from Horny Toad; Nau will not have its own stores, but will sell its products through Horny Toad, other retailers, and wholesalers; and giving through the Partners for Change program may be reduced.

The renewed version of Nau will begin August 1. Welcome back!

Read our first post on Nau last year and read the full story of Nau's resurgence at Treehugger and at Sustainable Industries.

"Goodbye for Nau"

We are greatly disappointed to learn that Nau, Inc. (Portland OR) has closed its doors after only 14 months in business. Last year, we selected Nau as one of our Sustainable and Responsible Businesses of the Week. The company integrated sustainability throughout all its operations, from clothing made of organic and/or recycled materials to tracking greenhouse gas emissions to allowing customers to select an environmental charity for a 5% donation at the time of purchase (which resulted in $223,000 in donations during its time in business).

Nau, Inc. management cited difficult economic times as the cause for failure, stating that it was extremely difficult to attract investors to their revolutionary business model during this time of economic uncertainty. Questions have been raised by others about the impact of a recession on the current green movement. However, critics blame Nau's business model.

Sustainable & Responsible Business of the Week - Nau, Inc.

Another sustainable and responsible company that is a great model for others is Nau, Inc.

Nau, Inc. was founded by a team of executives, led by Chris Van Dyke, who defected from Patagonia, Adidas, Nike, and other leaders in the industry. “We have aspired to design the entire enterprise from the ground up with the idea and ideal of sustainability at the center of the venture.” Their strategy includes “integrating sustainability attributes into our materials, products, processes, and stores; developing labor and environmental standards for the factories that make our products; and tracking, reducing, and offsetting our greenhouse-gas emissions.”

http://www.nau.com/