As soon as I finished Yvon’s book “Let My People Go Surfing” six years ago, I signed my company, Apartment Therapy Media, up for 1% right away. At the time, our revenues were pretty small, giving 1% was easy and we asked our readers to suggest who we should donate to. I saw it as a great was to publicly involve our audience in our participation with this very good cause.

Each year our revenues grew steadily and two years in I was at a fund raiser near my house for the Peconic Land Trust and they were looking to raise a big sum from the event, $10,000. I realized then that if I directed all of our 1% giving to the Peconic Land Trust, we could do some really significant help and the results of it would be immediately visible. I was also really drawn to the opportunity of having an ongoing, personal relationship with the organization my company was helping.

As of this past year, we are giving about $25,000 annually to the Peconic Land Trust and have become the biggest source of funding for their CSA Quail Hill Farm in Amagansett, NY, which also acts as their marketing arm in the Hamptons. They are the largest source of land preservation on Long Island and one of the leading land preservation trusts in the United States.

The farm and the Trust are now deeply thankful for the support my company provides, and have invited me to talk about 1% at a number of their fund raising gatherings because company support is not something that people think about, and 1% is not a widely known vehicle for doing it.

I love it because my personal and company mission are now totally aligned in an ongoing relationship that enlarges our circle and allows us to say that we really put our money where our mouth is.

We at Hug On A Rug have a deep and abiding interest in the environment and the health of the planet that is home to us all. As folks hug each other they may be reminded that we are all in this together, breathing the same air and fishing in the same seas. This care for the environment led us to 1% For The Planet – a natural partnership!

Tom first wrote his senator asking for support for the first Wilderness Bill in 1960. Tom was 14. He is a founding member of the former High Peaks Audubon in the Adirondacks of NY and participated in three Breeding Bird Atlases. Jean has been a long-time supporter of wildlife through the National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife. It was she who designed the rug.

Our connection with Keeping Track began when Tom took Sue Morse’s (founder of Keeping Track) training nearly 10 years ago. He served for two years as a member of its board of directors. Keeping Track trains and educates both citizen scientists and professionals in methods of data collection that can lead to better decisions involving wildlife and land use. Sue’s efforts, along with those who work with her, have helped directly in the preservation of over 30,000 acres of sensitive wildlife habitat. We at Hug On A Rug will continue to support Keeping Track and it’s mission.

Huge thanks to Hug on a Rug‘s Tom Barber for sending us this story and for completing his 2012 certification early with support of Keeping Track. We’re so proud of our Vermont network- thanks for keeping it local Tom!

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!

We’ve heard from many of our business members who want to use their 1% contributions to assist recovery efforts—and we’re here to help you connect with groups making a difference.

Until we can get a comprehensive list of organizations doing work on the ground, we encourage you to support our partners working to reduce the chance of storms like Sandy happening in the first place.  Climate change is a reality that must be taken seriously. 

Please consider donating to the following organizations, and if you know of others that can use our help, let us know!

350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis (350.org/mission). 350.org is known for pulling together massive groups of people worldwide who want to fight against the fossil fuel industry- our largest carbon emitters.  By solving the climate crisis, they are lowering the likelihood of storms like Sandy occurring as frequently. Along with asking for your support, they are asking Big Oil, Coal and Gas to help pay for the damage they have created.

Another organization that is doing great Sandy-related work is Climate Central, based in Princeton, NJ.  Climate Central conducts scientific research on climate change and informs the public of key findings (climatecentral.org/about). Climate Central is not an advocacy organization; they are conveying the scientific facts so citizens and policymakers can work to stabilize the climate and/or prepare for the impacts it will have on us. 

Please keep in mind that while you cannot count donations to unapproved organizations toward your 1% contribution, organizations like the Red Cross can always use your help during times like this. As news comes in we will be in touch via our Facebook and Twitter pages to share other ways you can help!