Organization’s “collective action” model drives environmental results and corporate accountability with a multi-faceted approach to the planet’s most pressing problems.

BURLINGTON, VT (April 5, 2023) – 1% for the Planet, a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive, announced record philanthropic giving in 2022, rapid growth of its global network of businesses and environmental partners, and an ambitious agenda in 2023 to catalyze critical action to address the global environmental crisis.

1% for the Planet certified a record $66 million in giving to 3,000 approved environmental partners in 2022—growing the organization’s lifetime certified giving to $450 million since its founding in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies. 1% for the Planet also added more than 1,800 new members in 2022, bringing total membership to 5,300 businesses.

“Our members brought urgency and generosity to their support of environmental organizations this past year,” said 1% for the Planet CEO Kate Williams. “Working together, we build unique giving strategies that forge lasting partnerships between businesses and environmental partners. We are creating a new system for driving powerful impact at scale through strategic collective action.”

Member giving supported a range of organizations, from the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council, an Indigenous grassroots environmental organization working to protect and preserve the Yukon River Watershed, to One Girl, an education-focused program for girls and young women in Sierra Leone and Uganda, to Counting Coral, a coral reef conservation nonprofit that derives 40% of its funding from 1% for the Planet members.

“As a nonprofit, connecting with companies and creating a community of like-minded philanthropists can be daunting,” said Jolyon Collier, President of Counting Coral, a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner. “1% for the Planet quickly became the organization that helped us meet new partners and make actionable steps within our organization. 1% for the Planet has been an invaluable part of our reef restoration growth.” 

Further, Collier explained, “The bond that our organization has formed with our 1% for the Planet partners has had an immeasurable impact, far beyond just providing financial contributions. What is special about 1% for the Planet is the way they have inspired, and will continue to inspire, businesses and individuals to support those who work hard on providing environmental solutions.” 

2023 Trends and Agenda 

With global average temperatures in 2022 rising to 1.15°C degrees above the pre-industrial averages and the potential for economic recession lingering, 2023 will be a critical year to act so that our planet and future generations thrive. Williams sees the following as key drivers to follow throughout the year:

• Companies need to live up to climate pledges: Research shows that while many companies’ hearts are in the right place regarding climate pledges, they are failing to follow through on commitments. One part of the solution? Aligning with trusted third parties like 1% for the Planet that can certify efforts and hold companies accountable to their commitments.
   
• Look for purpose-driven companies to weather economic downturn better than peers: In addition to delivering non-market benefits, purpose-driven companies outpace the competition in the marketplace: They earn market share gains and grow three times faster on average than their competitors while achieving higher workforce and customer satisfaction, according to Deloitte—and these strengths also outshine contemporary peers in times of economic uncertainty. During the 2008 financial crisis, B Corp reported that its member firms were 64% more likely than other businesses of a similar size to make it through the economic downturn.
   
• Collective action, not individual shaming is the future of the movement: The recent trend of shaming individuals for actions, such as flying for travel, is a case of not seeing the forest for the trees. Individual actions matter and enable each of us to feel connected to our purpose and power. But individuals do not need to shoulder the weight of a global-scale issue that is primarily driven by bigger actors. To tackle the systems-level challenges facing our planet, individuals, businesses, and nonprofits need to come together. 1% for the Planet facilitates and accelerates the building of community around collective action efforts.

To address these and other trends in 2023, 1% for the Planet has mapped out an agenda to support its global network of members, individuals and environmental partners with resources, education, and inspiration to take action for the planet. In addition, 1% for the Planet will host its annual Global Summit, Oct. 17-19, 2023 in New York—which will include opportunities for existing and prospective members to gather and galvanize.

The organization will also celebrate the first anniversary of the Planet Impact Fund, a new philanthropic opportunity to drive positive change for our planet and future generations. The fund grew out of a unique collaboration with National Philanthropic Trust and CapShift.

“As we look forward to our 21^st year as a rapidly growing organization, 1% for the Planet is more committed than ever to spur commitment, action and partnerships that accelerate environmental philanthropy and build a global system of changemakers,” said Williams.

About 1% for the Planet

1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. We inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental partners through membership and everyday actions. We make environmental giving easy and effective through partnership advising, impact storytelling and third-party certification.

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, our business members have given hundreds of millions of dollars to our approved environmental partners to date. Today, 1% for the Planet’s global network consists of thousands of businesses, individuals and environmental partners working toward a better future for all.

Look for our logo to purchase for the planet, learn more and join at www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.