Latitudes
Latitudes became a Professionals International project partner in August 2021 to bring more awareness and increase their impact. Latitudes continues to make a difference through their USA Marketplace online. The project finished with Professionals International in March 2026 as it finished up its latest agreement and became increasingly self-sustaining. You can find them at https://latitudestore.com/
Significant Challenge(s)
Across its work, Latitudes has operated in contexts where poverty, stigma, and limited access to employment consistently restrict opportunity for vulnerable populations. For example, in India, women affected by HIV often face social exclusion and loss of family support. In Indonesia, many women are forced to work far from home to sustain their families due to a lack of local employment options. In Jordan, individuals with disabilities frequently encounter both economic exclusion and social discrimination, leaving them dependent on family or charity.
As a global network, they routinely encountered issues related to global events, wars, inflation, etc. More recently, the organization also faced operational constraints, including increased tariffs and shipping costs that reduced purchasing capacity for artisan goods. Additionally, the unexpected loss of its Texas storefront (after the property was sold and the lease cancelled) led to a permanent closure of that location, requiring the team to rely on alternative sales channels such as the Florida storefront, online platforms, and remote events to maintain continuity.
Satisfying Solution
Latitudes partners with artisan-based small businesses across resource-deprived communities to create sustainable employment, job training, and income-generating opportunities. The project supports local entrepreneurs in developing market-ready products and building reliable sales channels that connect their work to broader markets.
Operating across 13 countries and collaborating with over 20 community-based projects worldwide, Latitudes focuses on strengthening locally led initiatives that serve vulnerable populations. The overall goal is to expand dignified work, economic stability, and long-term community-driven impact.
Business Activities Geared Towards Alleviating Poverty, Promoting Economic Development, and Reducing Inequalities:
Target: Promote and support that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property & natural resources. (adapted from Target 1.4)
Target: Promote and support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. (adapted from Target 8.3)
Target: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
“Measured By” Outcomes
August 2021 - March 2026
Amount of Grant Given
“What Does Your Donation Go Towards?”
Stories of Substantial Benefits
COVID in 2020-2021 caused widespread disruption, including temporary store closures, cancelled events, and a ~45% revenue decline. Several artisan workshops struggled, and one closed permanently, while others survived repeated lockdowns. During this period, deeper engagement with teams in Jordan highlighted both extreme vulnerability and long-term transformation through stable artisan employment.
In 2022-2023, operations expanded to over 20 partner projects across 13 countries as industries were recovering and innovating after COVID. New collaborations included Azerbaijani Socks, refugee-support pottery initiatives in the U.S., and continued growth of established partners like Khushbu and Himalayan Freedom Co.
A key innovation was the creation of artisan-made corporate gifts (e.g., leather pouches for a golf fundraiser), which increased orders and strengthened production capacity across partner teams. One story includes a leather artisan and trainer (Ajay from Khushbu) expanded production while mentoring nearly all incoming artisans. Another artisan, Neeraj, advanced into complex leatherwork roles, reflecting upward mobility through skills development.
2024 continued to bring new opportunities including how Latitudes prioritized in-person visits, such as in Morocco, where the team worked directly with basket, rug, and pottery artisans to better understand production challenges and support business growth. New partnerships like Ziyada (India) were added, reinforcing a focus on women’s empowerment and storytelling-driven impact.
Throughout 2025, Global tariff increases and shipping rule changes severely impacted operations, with some Indian partners shutting down or laying off staff. Latitudes also closed its Texas showroom, significantly reducing sales channels and forcing a strategic reassessment of operations.
In 2026, Ongoing geopolitical and trade pressures led to the closure of the Latitudes project under Professionals International. Some partners adapted by shifting to local sales and direct markets, such as Khushbu’s pivot toward retail and revived training programs.
Across its lifespan, Latitudes supported 900+ artisans and 1,100+ coffee farmers through 20+ projects in 13 countries, helping create sustainable income, skills development, and long-term community-based employment despite significant global instability. One project leader states:
“The faith that Latitudes had in us, long before anyone should have had faith in us, was a huge help. They graciously worked with us when products weren't quite up to the quality that we had promised and gave us parameters to work within to help us expand our line of merchandise. The grace we received with all of the trial and error during our first year allowed us to perfect our policies, procedures, and quality which set us up to sell to other companies that might not show as much grace to a growing business. Because of this, we were able to hire three new women this year and impact three new families, and continue working with our 8 other employees, providing for their physical needs through dignified work and a fair wage. The generational impact that our business can have among an entire village is only possible through partnerships like the one we have with Latitudes.”
Latitudes partners over the years have been A Light In The Night, Circa Imports, Dekko Trading, Freedom Designs, Glad Tidings, Soleil, Thai Village, The Masters Handicrafts, Work of Her Hands, House of Diamonds, Khushbu, Azerbajani Socks, Passionate Harvest, Beauty for Ashes, The Seed Basket, Teze Handcrafts, Tabby's, Green Creations, Coffee growers (3 partners), The Seed Basket, Woven Glory, Wood N Mud, Himalayan Freedom Company, Desert Kingdom Traders, Peung Kunkit, Hindukush Noorani, Freedom Designs, Riau Candle Co, Ziyada, Rain Lab, and Orlando Coffee Roasters.
Latitudes became a Professionals International project partner in August 2021 to bring more awareness and increase their impact. Latitudes continues to make a difference through their USA Marketplace online. The project finished with Professionals International in March 2026 as it finished up its latest agreement and became increasingly self-sustaining. You can find them at https://latitudestore.com/
