Grounds
for Change is proud to be a member of 1%
For The Planet. We donate one percent of our total sales
to the following environmental organizations in support of
their missions.
Seattle Audubon Society
Seattle Audubon cultivates and leads a community that values and protects birds and the natural environment. They promote a healthy environment in balance with nature, where people enjoy, respect, and care for the natural resources that sustain the community of life.
Save
Our Wild Salmon
The Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition (SOS) is a nationwide coalition
of conservation organizations, commercial and sportfishing
associations, businesses, river groups, and taxpayer advocates
working to restore self-sustaining, healthy, harvestable,
and abundant wild salmon to the rivers and streams of the
Pacific Northwest.
EcoTeach Foundation
The EcoTeach Foundation works in tandem with local communities in Costa Rica to promote economic and environmental sustainability. An advocate for hardworking conservationists, the Foundation provides financial and volunteer support for a number of grassroots projects throughout the country.
What is 1% For The Planet?
1% For The Planet is an alliance of businesses
committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier
planet. Members recognize their responsibility to and dependence
on a healthy environment and donate at least 1% of their annual
net revenues to environmental organizations worldwide. The
alliance aims to prove that taking environmental responsibility
is good for business.
The History of 1% For The Planet
1% For The Planet was launched by Yvon Chouinard,
environmental activist and founder of outdoor clothing company
Patagonia, Inc., and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies
in 2001. Chouinard and Mathews, both astute and visionary
businessmen, had empirical experience with the great success
environmental commitment had brought to their businesses.
They wanted to unify other companies to help solve the environmental
crisis and build successful companies at the same time.
Patagonia,
Inc. has been contributing 10% of pre-tax profits
or 1% of sales, whichever is greater, each year to environmental
groups since 1985. Chouinard calls this an "earth tax,"
recognizing that his company has a responsibility to conserve
and protect the natural resources it utilizes to make and
market its products. Since 1985, Patagonia, Inc. has provided
over $19 million to environmental nonprofits worldwide. Chouinard
wanted to expand this idea of "environmental tithing"
throughout the private sector, and at the same time support
the efforts of thousands of environmental activists around
the world. Craig Mathews, who donates 2% of net sales to local
environmental organizations near his store in Yellowstone,
Montana, thinks the environmental commitment 1% FTP membership
demonstrates has boosted his sales and the loyalty of his
customers.
In November 2001, 1% For The Planet held
an official launch event at the Patagonia, Inc. store in San
Francisco, California, during which twenty-one businesses
signed up as members. These included a wide array of companies
such as a winery, a coffee company, and a guide service. As
a result of word-of-mouth buzz, some terrific news articles,
and the leadership role that 1% FTP business alliance members
have taken in spreading the word, 1% FTP has been receiving
a steady stream of inquiries from potential new business members
as well as from environmental organizations seeking to join
the growing ranks of approved 1% FTP nonprofit environmental
organizations. We hope this groundswell of action continues
and results in a redefined way of doing business!
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