When our co-founder, Paul Van Doren established Vans in 1966 alongside his brother and two business partners, he did so with the belief that we weren’t to be just a footwear and apparel company but a people company that makes shoes and apparel. This mission to be people first has served as a cornerstone commitment for our brand for the past 55 years and has only strengthened as we’ve continued to launch initiatives that focus on enabling creative self-expression that support, uplift and empower members of our Vans family across the world to drive positive change within our communities.

As the brand’s single largest philanthropic initiative, Vans will support 16 charities from around the world who share a mission of revitalizing public spaces through arts, sports, culture and social impact programming by donating a collective $1 million USD. Each regional organization will receive $50,000 USD from The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation or via a direct donation from Vans to use towards their organization’s mission to continue their work around the world to build vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming spaces to support their local communities.
THE HISTORY OF CHECKERBOARD DAY
2020: CREATIVITY FOR MENTAL WELLNESS

For 2020, Vans Checkerboard Day’s mission was to champion the power of creativity as an outlet for mental health. We also helped amplify the mission of our 10 charity partners worldwide whose shared purpose is to use programs focused on creativity as resources for coping with the stressors that impact mental health and well-being. Vans and fans across the world helped raise over $1 million USD so each organization can expand their services and resources to help the growing number of mental health concerns through creative outlets such as art, music and action sports.
See more here.

2019: CELEBRATE CREATIVITY

| For the inaugural Vans Checkerboard Day in 2019, we donated over $1 million to Imagination.org to help them foster and fund creativity and entrepreneurship in kids all over the world. With the donation, they increased the number of Creativity Chapters globally and strengthened their educational programming in over 20 countries. Now more than 10,000 kids around the world get more access to creative play opportunities, that’s rad! Since Checkerboard Day, Imagination.org has received over 60 new Creativity Chapter applications and now have 190 Chapters in their worldwide network.
See more here.
The Vans Checkerboard Fund was established in 2019 to aid our ability to provide monetary support to nonprofit organizations that provide the skills, support and opportunities needed to build a more equitable society where all have the opportunity to realize their creative potential.
Throughout the year, Vans recommends grant distributions from the Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation for organizations that work to:

Provide Equitable Access To Creativity: We support organizations that address the opportunity gap by providing access to programming and resources for young people to unleash their creative potential.

Foster The Wellbeing Of Marginalized Populations: We support organizations that cultivate safe spaces for and support the needs of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and Women.
https://www.vans.co.uk/shop/VFLoyaltyMemberDisplay?pageName=redeem&langId=-11&storeId=10158&stl_params_hash=eyJzdGxfdGFyZ2V0IjoicmV3YXJkLTQ0OSJ9
https://www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/the-art-of-community
It's more important than ever to look after those around you so for the third annual Vans Checkerboard Day, we're celebrating those who use their creativity for good! Whether you're a painter helping beautify the streets, a chef cooking at a shelter, or even a skater delivering groceries, your impact makes a world of difference to your local community.

Show us how you're using your creativity to make a positive impact with #VansCheckerboardDay, and you could be featured on our social channels!
Vans on Tik Tok
https://www.tiktok.com/@vans

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CELEBRATE CREATIVITY IN MORE WAYS, WITH MORE PEOPLE, IN MORE PLACES.
TOGETHER MAKES IT BETTER.
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Vans Checkerboard Day

When our co-founder, Paul Van Doren established Vans in 1966 alongside his brother and two business partners, he did so with the belief that we weren’t to be just a footwear and apparel company but a people company that makes shoes and apparel. This mission to be people first has served as a cornerstone commitment for our brand for the past 55 years and has only strengthened as we’ve continued to launch initiatives that focus on enabling creative self-expression that support, uplift and empower members of our Vans family across the world to drive positive change within our communities.

As the brand’s single largest philanthropic initiative, Vans will support 16 charities from around the world who share a mission of revitalizing public spaces through arts, sports, culture and social impact programming by donating a collective $1 million USD. Each regional organization will receive $50,000 USD from The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation or via a direct donation from Vans to use towards their organization’s mission to continue their work around the world to build vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming spaces to support their local communities.

Vans Checkerboard Fund
Tik Tok Challenge
Community Organizations
This year, we’ll be donating an additional $25,000 in scholarships to DoSomething.org.
VANS X DOSOMETHING.ORG
This year, we’ve partnered with DoSomething.org. As the largest not-for-profit exclusively for young people and social change, DoSomething is activating members to share their unique creative expression from Sports to Music to Art in public places to help uplift and build community.

Around the world we’re funding community activations through fifteen additional nonprofit partners. Check out all of our Checkerboard Day activities and join us!


DOSOMETHING.ORG

Share your unique creative expression from Sports to Music to Art in public places to help uplift and build community. We’ll award the most creative submissions that truly aim to bring their community together.

Learn more


HACKNEY BUMPS

Submit your designs for a new skateable obstacle build at our skatepark. We’ll have a poll of the most promising designs, with the most popular ideas and requested elements inspiring Betongpark's final design. We'll be skating it on the 18th November so come join us then! For more information on the build and event please head to Hackney Bumps website.

When: 12PM-5PM
Where: Daubney Fields, Hackney, London E9 5AW

Learn more


INDIGO YOUTH MOVEMENT

Via this grant Indigo Youth Movement will repurpose an old swimming pool into a skate park and youthful art space showcasing street culture.

When: 11AM - 9PM
Where: 96 Hatfield Street, Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa, 8001

Learn more


JUJU

On Checkerboard Day, Surf Ghana will host a surf event that aims to uplift the local community by celebrating the Ghanaian surf culture. Activities include upcycling and customizing recycled Vans shoes, film screening, beach clean-up, surf day/surf lessons, and more.

When: 6AM TO MIDNIGHT
Where: Busua Beach, Ghana

Learn more


GIF GIRLS IN FILM

Girls in Film is a community and a platform for a new generation of female, trans and non binary creatives in film. Join us on 18th November in London & Prague for a series of community screenings, industry lead talks and networking parties. See you then!

When:
UK: 6:00PM – 11PM
PRAGUE: 5 PM – 10 PM

Where:
UK: HOUSE OF VANS LONDON - Arches, 228, 232 Station Approach Rd, London SE1 8SW
PRAGUE: DLABACOV cinema & café - Na Louži 7 Praha 10100 Česká Republika

Learn more


JUKEBOX COLLECTIVE

Join us for a pop-up exhibition space to launch Jukebox Collective’s Future Creatives initiative, we’ll host an evening of curated performances, conversations, and workshops, inviting Welsh creatives to explore their hopes and ambitions for the future by bringing their collective ideas to life.

When: 5PM-10PM
Where: JACOBS MARKET - WEST Canal Wharf, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 5DB

Learn more


ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY EVENT

Badyard is a new skate/BMX park in Lyon, France. On Nov 18th , join the BMX + Lyon community to gather and set up the park for its launch.

When: All day
Where: BADYARD PARK - 39-41 rue du Souvenir, 69009 LYON, FRANCE

Learn more


GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS

CELEBRATE CREATIVITY IN MORE WAYS, WITH MORE PEOPLE, IN MORE PLACES. TOGETHER MAKES IT BETTER.

Vans Checkerboard Day

When our co-founder, Paul Van Doren established Vans in 1966 alongside his brother and two business partners, he did so with the belief that we weren’t to be just a footwear and apparel company but a people company that makes shoes and apparel. This mission to be people first has served as a cornerstone commitment for our brand for the past 55 years and has only strengthened as we’ve continued to launch initiatives that focus on enabling creative self-expression that support, uplift and empower members of our Vans family across the world to drive positive change within our communities.

As the brand’s single largest philanthropic initiative, Vans will support 16 charities from around the world who share a mission of revitalizing public spaces through arts, sports, culture and social impact programming by donating a collective $1 million USD. Each regional organization will receive $50,000 USD from The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation or via a direct donation from Vans to use towards their organization’s mission to continue their work around the world to build vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming spaces to support their local communities.

THE HISTORY OF CHECKERBOARD DAY

2020: CREATIVITY FOR MENTAL WELLNESS

For 2020, Vans Checkerboard Day’s mission was to champion the power of creativity as an outlet for mental health. We also helped amplify the mission of our 10 charity partners worldwide whose shared purpose is to use programs focused on creativity as resources for coping with the stressors that impact mental health and well-being. Vans and fans across the world helped raise over $1 million USD so each organization can expand their services and resources to help the growing number of mental health concerns through creative outlets such as art, music and action sports.
See more here.

2019: CELEBRATE CREATIVITY

| For the inaugural Vans Checkerboard Day in 2019, we donated over $1 million to Imagination.org to help them foster and fund creativity and entrepreneurship in kids all over the world. With the donation, they increased the number of Creativity Chapters globally and strengthened their educational programming in over 20 countries. Now more than 10,000 kids around the world get more access to creative play opportunities, that’s rad! Since Checkerboard Day, Imagination.org has received over 60 new Creativity Chapter applications and now have 190 Chapters in their worldwide network.
See more here.

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

#VANSCHECKERBOARDDAY

This year, we’ll be donating an additional $25,000 in scholarships to DoSomething.org.

The Vans Checkerboard Fund was established in 2019 to aid our ability to provide monetary support to nonprofit organizations that provide the skills, support and opportunities needed to build a more equitable society where all have the opportunity to realize their creative potential.
Throughout the year, Vans recommends grant distributions from the Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation for organizations that work to:

Provide Equitable Access To Creativity: We support organizations that address the opportunity gap by providing access to programming and resources for young people to unleash their creative potential.

Foster The Wellbeing Of Marginalized Populations: We support organizations that cultivate safe spaces for and support the needs of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and Women.

It's more important than ever to look after those around you so for the third annual Vans Checkerboard Day, we're celebrating those who use their creativity for good! Whether you're a painter helping beautify the streets, a chef cooking at a shelter, or even a skater delivering groceries, your impact makes a world of difference to your local community.

Show us how you're using your creativity to make a positive impact with #VansCheckerboardDay, and you could be featured on our social channels!

This year, we’ve partnered with DoSomething.org. As the largest not-for-profit exclusively for young people and social change, DoSomething is activating members to share their unique creative expression from Sports to Music to Art in public places to help uplift and build community.

Around the world we’re funding community activations through fifteen additional nonprofit partners. Check out all of our Checkerboard Day activities and join us!

REGIONAL

Share your unique creative expression from Sports to Music to Art in public places to help uplift and build community. We’ll award the most creative submissions that truly aim to bring their community together.

Submit your designs for a new skateable obstacle build at our skatepark. We’ll have a poll of the most promising designs, with the most popular ideas and requested elements inspiring Betongpark's final design. We'll be skating it on the 18th November so come join us then! For more information on the build and event please head to Hackney Bumps website.

When: 12PM-5PM
Where: Daubney Fields, Hackney, London E9 5AW

Via this grant Indigo Youth Movement will repurpose an old swimming pool into a skate park and youthful art space showcasing street culture.

When: 11AM - 9PM
Where: 96 Hatfield Street, Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa, 8001

On Checkerboard Day, Surf Ghana will host a surf event that aims to uplift the local community by celebrating the Ghanaian surf culture. Activities include upcycling and customizing recycled Vans shoes, film screening, beach clean-up, surf day/surf lessons, and more.

When: 6AM TO MIDNIGHT
Where: Busua Beach, Ghana

Girls in Film is a community and a platform for a new generation of female, trans and non binary creatives in film. Join us on 18th November in London & Prague for a series of community screenings, industry lead talks and networking parties. See you then!

When:
UK: 6:00PM – 11PM
PRAGUE: 5 PM – 10 PM

Where:
UK: HOUSE OF VANS LONDON - Arches, 228, 232 Station Approach Rd, London SE1 8SW
PRAGUE: DLABACOV cinema & café - Na Louži 7 Praha 10100 Česká Republika

Join us for a pop-up exhibition space to launch Jukebox Collective’s Future Creatives initiative, we’ll host an evening of curated performances, conversations, and workshops, inviting Welsh creatives to explore their hopes and ambitions for the future by bringing their collective ideas to life.

When: 5PM-10PM
Where: JACOBS MARKET - WEST Canal Wharf, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 5DB

Badyard is a new skate/BMX park in Lyon, France. On Nov 18th , join the BMX + Lyon community to gather and set up the park for its launch.

When: All day
Where: BADYARD PARK - 39-41 rue du Souvenir, 69009 LYON, FRANCE

GLOBAL