Through its global network of businesses, nonprofit partners, and individuals, 1% for the Planet uses collective action to tackle our most pressing environmental issues.
We ask a lot of our planet. It provides us with clean drinking water, healthy food, and the materials to build homes and furniture, make clothing, and enjoy other creature comforts. So what if individuals and companies — we all profit from the Earth’s invaluable resources in some way — did their part to give back and protect the very entity that helps us survive and thrive?
That idea is the backbone of 1% for the Planet, a nonprofit created by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard in 2002 that challenges people and businesses to donate one percent of their annual sales or salary to environmental causes. Avocado is proud to be a member of 1% for the Planet. For 2023, we’re leveraging our partnership to support Protect Our Winters, a nonprofit safeguarding the outdoor places and lifestyles we love from climate change.
“We’re really honored to be supported by Avocado, a company that has baked sustainability into its business model and products, while also supporting environmental organizations like POW across this complex and important issue,” says Torrey Udall, chief of staff at Protect Our Winters.
“We’re really honored to be supported by Avocado — a company that has baked sustainability into its business model and products”
The climate crisis is causing temperatures to rise, droughts and natural disasters to become more frequent and intense, and hundreds of species to go extinct. Yet, global environmental causes receive only eight percent of total philanthropic giving, according to a 2020 report from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and Campden Wealth. That’s why 1% for the Planet’s work is so important.
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Through 1% for the Planet, corporations and consumers can connect with more than 4,000 environmental organizations — from those supporting sustainable food systems, water quality, and land rights for Indigenous communities to those fighting climate change, toxic dumping in our oceans, and air pollution — to invest in the causes they feel strongly about. And because every nonprofit involved is thoroughly vetted by 1% for the Planet, those that donate can rest assured their funds are providing direct aid to the organization of their choice. If you can’t decide on one environmental issue over another, they also offer “Issue Funds” that allow donations to be distributed to multiple groups.
“Avocado drives real, positive change by committing 1% of annual sales, forging powerful partnerships, and amplifying those stories. We’re grateful for Avocado’s leadership in growing the dynamic momentum that will propel our movement forward with an even greater collective impact.”
Business members are held accountable, too. Each year, they’re certified by third parties to ensure they’re fulfilling their one percent annual donation. It’s all part of 1% for the Planet’s commitment to accountability and combating greenwashing. By certifying donations, advising on giving strategies, and bringing donors and doers together, 1% for the Planet is able to empower collective action that results in real, quantifiable change and a better future for our planet.
“1% For the Planet Business Members like Avocado support nonprofits on the front lines all over the world, tackling the urgent issues facing our planet,” says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “Avocado drives real, positive change by committing 1% of annual sales, forging powerful partnerships, and amplifying those stories. We’re grateful for Avocado’s leadership in growing the dynamic momentum that will propel our movement forward with an even greater collective impact.”
Read More: The Truth About Greenwashing
Since its inception, the organization has provided nearly $300 million in funds to environmental organizations doing the on-the-ground work to fight for social and environmental justice, combat plastic pollution, provide wildfire aid, and more. In addition to financial aid, members are able to engage with nonprofit partners through in-kind donations, volunteer time, and shared-value collaborations.
For Avocado’s part, we’ve been able to directly support more than 30 environmental nonprofits through 1% for the Planet. And in April 2020, our unfettered commitment to people and the planet earned us 1% for the Planet’s inaugural Pinnacle Award, an honor that recognizes businesses that are raising the bar for environmental responsibility. We’re not stopping now.
In 2023, we’re directing one percent of our revenues to support Protect Our Winters’ mission to protect and preserve our outdoor playgrounds. POW’s work includes leveraging its community of athletes, scientists, creatives, and business leaders to pass non-partisan environmental policies, launch strategic get-out-the-vote campaigns, and spread the word about the importance of climate action.
“Those of us who love the outdoors are seeing the impacts of climate and we have the ability to be part of the solution,” says Udall. “With more than 50 million of us who recreate outdoors in the U.S., together we have a large voice. Now let’s use our collective voice to protect our world for future generations.”
Become a member of Team POW to help advance policies for renewable energy, sustainable jobs, and conservation. Or, strengthen their impact by donating to the cause.
If we all work together, one percent adds up.
Read More: 10 Environmental Wins Giving Us Hope For The Future
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