We have an exciting announcement from one of our tastiest members! If you like gorillas, animals, Gorilla Munch, cereal, breakfast or even t-shirts, you’ll want to read on….

Nature’s Path is giving away 50 gorilla adoptions through the EnviroKidz Great Gorilla Giveaway in partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (a recipient of their 1% FTP contribution).  To enter, parents should go to the EnviroKidz Facebook page and describe in 100 words or less why they or their child would make a great gorilla parent.  The winners will be awarded a framed gorilla adoption certificate and photo, an adoption report, an EnviroKidz Gorilla Munch t-shirt, a field notebook and an Eco Pac of Gorilla Munch cereal.

Don’t miss out on this amazing package of goodies and make sure to sign up by April 28th!

Despite the tragic events at the Boston Marathon New Generation Energy will still be hosting the Mint Party on April 20th at Trade. NGE’s mission has always revolved around strengthening our city. Boston is at its strongest when we come together as a community, in times of joy or in times of crisis. The Mint Party is a celebration of Boston and all of the things that Boston does best – it’s a celebration of a city that gets better every day. In light of Monday’s tragedy, New Generation Energy will be donating 50% of every ticket purchased from now until Saturday, April 20th, to the American Red Cross. We want to continue to help Boston and think this is the best way to do it.

Also, if anyone is interested in helping out but does not live in Boston, they should feel free to purchase a ticket in honor of a friend or community member. 50% of the proceeds will still be sent to the American Red Cross, and the ticket can be given to someone in our community who may not be able to purchase a ticket themselves. Buying a ticket allows us to invite members of our community, of the nonprofits we work with, to the event. It is a great way to give back right now.

Beyond monetary donations to the Red Cross, NGE is exploring other ways we can be involved with the healing process of Boston. As we’ve already seen since Monday’s horrible events, the people of Boston are giving back to their fellow citizens in record numbers. Giving blood, offering shelter, providing food, etc. NGE feels it is incredibly important to do our part. We are currently exploring volunteer projects to help the City of Boston. If anyone is looking for a way to help during this time, they should feel free to reach out to our staff at Joffe@newgenerationenergy.org or sign up to receive our e-mails here: http://newgenerationenergy.org/.

NGE’s mission has always been two-fold. First, and most obviously, we are helping build energy efficient, sustainable nonprofits. What is sometimes initially overlooked is that an equally important part of our work is community building. We hold a fundamental belief that strong nonprofits, strong organizations in general, build great communities. Community development and involvement is a core value of ours, and that is what the Marathon represents to us. The Marathon is Boston at its best – a perfect example of our community. It represents strength, togetherness, camaraderie, achieving a seemingly impossible dream. These things are what make the Marathon great; these things are what make Boston great. When we decided to still host the Mint Party on Saturday, we thought about all of these things. We want Saturday to be a place for our community to come together. NGE thinks it is so important to stand strong as a community right now. We don’t want this event to be exclusionary because of a price tag. So, if anyone is interested in coming to the event, but is not sure if they can afford it, they should reach out to us at Joffe@newgenerationenergy.org.

The other 50% of proceeds from this event go directly to Local & Green, NGE’s new program to help nonprofits raise impact by reducing their carbon footprint. Local & Green provides hands-on support for energy efficiency projects in our community. For one year, NGE helps selected regional nonprofits become more sustainable, designing and implementing projects to help nonprofits save money and increase their impact. From project design to 100% funding, Local & Green is our 360° approach to powering sustainable communities.

To learn more, visit http://newgenerationenergy.org/

Alex and Andrea de Roode have been working hard to get their company off the ground. Once their five tea blends hit the shelves, they plan on supporting a number of local nonprofits who are working to protect Hawaii’s natural environment. These organizations include the Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership, East Maui Watershed Partnership, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and others! By supporting their campaign, you will not only be sent some of their tasty tea, but you will also be giving back to these nonprofits- so donate today!

By now you’ve probably heard about our big 10th Anniversary event coming up this summer.  We’ve joined forces with the Mad Marathon here in our hometown of Waitsfield, VT to create the 1st ever 1% for the Planet Mad Marathon. Dedicated to sustainability and environmentalism in New England, this event will help us to provide awareness and funding for the nonprofits and partnerships that protect the places we play. Not only should all of our partners plan on attending, but we also want to help raise money for your important causes.  How can we do this you ask?

1% for the Planet has joined forces with Climate Ride for our 3rd year of climate advocacy on wheels.  Trina Peterson will be leading the 1% for the Planet Team this year, training for the ride from her home in the mountains of Colorado.  In addition to our team, 1% for the Planet has been named one of the beneficiaries for our dedication to sustainable solutions and bike advocacy.  Trina will be riding over 300 miles to raise awareness of sustainability solutions and further 1% for the Planet’s climate action.

Climate Ride is a nonprofit partner that organizes life-changing charitable events to raise awareness and support sustainability, bike advocacy, and environmental causes. Each year, Climate Ride holds two week-long events:  Climate Ride NYC-DC and Climate Ride California.

1% for the Planet will be represented during the California Ride (May 19- 23, 2013) and we are looking for additional climate advocates to saddle up.  Cycle to a clean energy future through majestic Redwood Forests, famed wine country, and iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

• Join the 1% for the Planet Team

OR

•  Support our efforts with a financial contribution

You will be joining a community of active advocates who believe in 1% for the Planet’s ability to transform business as usual. All skill levels are welcome as are all levels of financial support.  You can make a secure online donation today by clicking on the ‘Support Me‘ button. You’ll automatically receive an acknowledgment and I will be notified by email of your support.

WE ARE 1% FOR THE PLANET

Founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia and Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet paved the way for a revolutionary merger between successful, creative businesses worldwide and non-profits committed to improving the health of our planet. During the past 10 years we have generated more than $100 million in funding for non-profits big and small, all dedicated to improving the health of our planet.

OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH—AND IMPACT

We spent our first decade building a solid network of thriving, creative and mindful businesses and non-profits around the world. As we embark on the next ten years, we’re committed to harnessing the power of that network by engaging our constituents in high impact partnerships with unique power to impact key issues.

We are also pursuing strategies that will allow us to scale further by engaging larger companies. Our vision is to grow our network of companies to 5,000 and to increase our collective giving from $20 million to $100 million a year. And while these are aggressive goals, they do not reflect our loftiest aspiration, which is to use the power of our model to engage more hearts and minds in the sustainability movement. That is where our greatest potential lies—but we need your support to tap it.

EVERY DOLLAR MATTERS—AND GETS MULTIPLIED

Because your gift allows us to sign up more companies which in turn direct more funding towards worthy environmental causes, it is truly an investment with the promise of a powerful return. To date, every dollar invested in 1% for the Planet has leveraged more than 40 dollars for the planet. So your investment will create a powerful ripple effect across both the business and the natural world.

Donate HERE through our secure online service or consider mailing a check to:

1% for the Planet

PO Box 650

Waitsfield, VT 05673

Thank You!

Without your interest, passion, and investment, 1% for the Planet wouldn’t be where we are today. More than 3000 environmental organizations benefit from the work we all do together. Let’s keep it going!

Nature’s Path Foods “EnviroKidz” brand has announced their annual grant program. As a member of 1% for the Planet, each year, Nature’s Path donates 1% of the sales of EnviroKidz products to environmental organizations. If your charitable organization works in North America to support the environment, and educates youth about what they can do to help, then they want you!

Grants of up to $20,000 are available to qualifying projects. Applications are being accepted up to November 30^th through Nature’s Path’s Facebook page. Full rules and regulations can be found online.

Nature’s Path is excited to support innovative environmental leaders and they can’t wait to hear from you! It’s not everyday that you have the chance to partner with koalas, gorillas or lemurs, so get your application in soon!

With production help from NewSong Recording, along with Sustainable Brands, Reverb Rock, The Sustainable Living Roadshow, America SCORES and 1% recipient 350.org, this EP is spreading a positive environmental message. So whether you are a diehard climate activist, or just interested in some great music, make sure to download your copy of this inspiring four song EP today!

Katie Herzig’s “Make A Noise”, Video by Steve Liptay

June 6, 2012 | Waitsfield, VT

1% for the Planet in partnership with the Jessie B Cox Charitable Trust has launched a multi-year effort to increase environmental philanthropy in New England.

Founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia and Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is an alliance of businesses that donate at least 1% of revenue to organizations focused in sustainability. The Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust and 1% for the Planet share an interest in the long-term preservation of New England’s unique environmental resources and are working to put the power of business to work for the planet.

With the support of the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust, 1% for the Planet is dedicating a team, led by Barbara Friedsam, the organization’s New England Network Director, to expand business support for the environment initiatives in the region, such as preserving and enhancing New England’s large forests.

1% for the Planet’s global network includes 1450 member companies and 2800 approved non-profit partners. New England is home to over 80 member companies including The Skinny Pancake and Spindrift Soda and over 200 approved non-profit partners such as the Union of Concerned Scientists, Conservation Law Foundation and Clean Air-Cool Planet.

“In an effort to push the envelope of our social-environmental mission, … we are proud to make the commitment to join 1% for the Planet,” said Skinny Pancake co-founder/owner Benjy Adler. “We’ll donate 1% of our sales to grassroots environmental non-profits, with a focus on local food and farm-advocacy groups like NOFA-VT (North Eastern Farming Association of Vermont) and Intervale.”

To date, 1% member companies have donated nearly $1 million to New England non-profit organizations working on land conservation, climate change, water resource protection, renewable energy development, and environmental education. 1% members donate directly to approved non-profits allowing them to remain closely connected to the issues they care about.

1% for the Planet will continue to help businesses work for their communities, both locally and on a larger scale.

The new initiative will include heightening awareness in the business community about key environmental issues and targeted investment opportunities. Ultimately, this will enable collaboration between businesses and non-profits that generate long-term environmental and business benefits. Individuals can help by supporting 1% for the Planet member companies in their strategic giving choices and participating with our local partner NGOs. Please follow 1% for the Planet online for updates on regional developments.

“New England is fertile ground for both business and individual participation in the sustainability movement,” said Barbara Friedsam, New England Network Director at 1%. “We know New Englanders care about how business gets done. When businesses align their purpose with their consumers’ concerns, we can collectively increase the triple bottom line.”

That increased bottom line means making giving easier, which in turn results in happier communities and a healthier ecosystem.

“1% for the Planet applauds those businesses committed to donating 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes and welcomes inclusion of more members to the network. The work New England environmental organizations do to protect the unique resources in this region is critical, and 1% member companies can play a unique role in supporting their work. We are excited about the opportunity to grow our network in New England in collaboration with the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust” said Friedsam.

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About 1% for the Planet

1% for the Planet is an alliance of business financially committed to creating a healthy planet. In 2011, the 1% network donated an estimated $22 million to sustainability initiatives. Despite the challenging economic backdrop, over the last three years we have grown by more than one new member company a day. As a network, 1% is a leading funder of environmental work globally, making reinvestment in the environment a necessary tenet of doing business.

About the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust

The Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust, a New England Philanthropy, funds projects in New England in the areas of health, education and the environment. In its environmental grant making, the Trust is focused on large-scale habitat conservation. For more information on the Trust, please refer to www.jbcoxtrust.org.

For more information, please contact:

Barbara Friedsam | New England Network Director

barbara@onepercenfortheplanet.org | (802) 496-5408

1% for the Planet is an early and proud supporter. Our very own, Rebecca Calahan Klein will be speaking on 1% for the Planet’s model of corporate engagement and environmental investing on a panel: Giving Something Back: New visions of corporate philanthropy. See the schedule for details.

As a benefit of our partnership, Slow Money is offering all 1% Members a 10% discount to attend the gathering on October 12-14th. Click here to register at the discounted price.

Click to listen to Woody Tasch, Slow Money Founder, explain how moving towards more local economic principles can benefit our planet and everyone involved.