Our Impact
Pay Away uplifts deserving youth and families across the U.S. by easing financial burdens when it matters most—during back-to-school and the holidays.
Back to School: July - August
Families and caregivers are spending more than ever on back-to-school supplies.
Support during this season is more important than ever. School supplies are more than just pencils and notebooks, they symbolize a student’s readiness and confidence to excel. Without the essentials, students can feel unprepared, which may affect their self-esteem and academic success.
At Pay Away, we believe every student deserves to feel confident, prepared, and empowered with the tools they need to thrive in school. Our programs provide families with access to vital supplies such as backpacks, school lists of required items, clothing, and electronics, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
$850
Families with K-12 students are budgeting about $850 on average for school essentials and clothing
70%
of families said they’ve seen higher prices on back to school items this year compared with last year
67%
About 67% of families had started purchasing back to school items by early July in 2025
Holidays: November - December
We believe every family deserves to experience the joyof the holiday season without the burden of financialstress, allowing every child to feel the magicand wonder this time of year brings.
For many families, the holidays are a time to celebrate and exchange gifts, but the pressure to afford these traditions can strain household budgets, creating unnecessary stress.
Pay Away helps lighten this load by easing financial burdens, spreading joy, and instilling hope for familiesand children during the holiday season.
A significant portion of Americans historically relied on layaway or similar installment plans to budget for larger or essential purchases — and as layaway programs fade, those consumers don’t necessarily have equal access to other tools that don’t carry debt risk.
$900
What families anticipate spending on gifts andessentials celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa
75%
of holiday shoppers expect higher prices on gifts andseasonal items compared with the prior year
42%
Historically 42% of consumers used layaway for holiday gifts before big layaway reductions
Community Call to Action
In response to the devastating 2025 Los Angeles fires, we launched the Kindness in Action- Relief for LA Families Campaign to provide families affected by the fires with $250 gift cards for clothing and essentials.
