BOULDER, Colo. – Wana Brands (WB) and the Wana Brands Foundation (WBF) are putting a spin on the annual 4/20 holiday, “paying it 4ward” by donating to the most beloved charities in the communities they serve, as determined by Wana’s customers and dispensary partners. As the fourth annual 4ward20 kicks off, Wana and the Wana Brands Foundation are surpassing the momentous giving milestone of over $4.2 million donated to more than 150 charities since 2021.
Rather than buying promotional swag that would end up in landfills, Wana Brands is staying true to the community spirit of 4/20 by using resources to “pay it 4ward” and enrich communities via charity initiatives. In addition to enhancing lives, adopting sustainable practices and diverting waste are top priorities for Wana. The annual 4ward20 campaign, which began in 2021, was inspired by a desire to “keep hope high” after the world slowly returned to normal after the COVID lockdown.
“Our company mission of enhancing lives has always been interwoven with my personal mission of doing my part to make the world a better place,” said Nancy Whiteman, CEO of Wana Brands and founder of the Wana Brands Foundation. “Through the Wana Brands Foundation and the annual #4ward20 campaign with Wana Brands, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some incredible organizations that are truly changing the world. It is not hyperbole to say that being a part of their work has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Celebrating this milestone of donating more than $4.2 million to these nonprofits only energizes us to further our collective mission to enhance lives and do good.”
When asked via survey what charities meant the most to them, customers and dispensary partners alike responded with more than 100 of their favorite charities. All nonprofits submitted were carefully vetted by WB’s Corporate Social Responsibility team for 501(c)(3) status and alignment with WB and WBF’s pillars of giving, which include education, research, food security, shelter, safety, mental health, sustainability, community connection, and social justice. Charities not selected for 4ward20 are kept for consideration in future gifts and initiatives.
The Wana Brands Foundation, a $50 million organization working to provide people with the resources they need to live happy, healthy lives, was established in late 2021 by Wana Brands CEO Nancy Whiteman. Its focus areas include research & education, food security, shelter, safety, mental health, sustainability, connection, and social justice. Whiteman established the endowment from the proceeds of Wana’s 2021 transaction with Canopy Growth Corporation.
About Wana Brands
With North America’s largest distribution footprint, cannabis edibles producer Wana Brands is a top international brand available in 17 U.S. states, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and nine Canadian provinces and territories, generating close to $300 million in retail sales annually across more than 3,000 dispensaries. Through industry-leading innovation, Wana is developing cutting-edge use-case formulations and recipes, such as Wana Quick Fast-Acting Gummies, the top-selling quick-onset edible, and the Optimals Fast Asleep formulation. Wana is committed to the communities it serves by supporting more than 50 charitable organizations in the markets where the company operates.
About The Wana Brands Foundation
Established in 2021 by Wana Brands CEO Nancy Whiteman, The Wana Brands Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to enhance our world by providing funding and other support for a wide range of charitable initiatives. The WBF mission is focused on providing life essentials to communities all over the world.
