Not long ago, a mountain climber and a fisherman realized they had a lot more in common than a disdain for wearing a suit to work.  Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, were also passionate environmentalists that happened to be running successful businesses. More important, they understood it was good business to protect the natural resources that kept them in business. And the rest is history.

1% FOR THE PLANET is an alliance of businesses that understand the necessity of protecting the natural environment. They understand that profit and loss are directly linked to its health, and are concerned with the social and environmental impacts of industry.

Since its inception in 2002, the 1% network has become one of the largest funders of environmental work around. Membership consists of more than 2,500 businesses in 38 countries, together giving over $15 million annually to over 2,000 environmental groups worldwide. To date, 1% for the Planet has initiated over $50 million in environmental giving.

Member #2715.  Sara Greenwood Real Estate is a proud member of the 1% for the Planet organization.  We have committed to contribute at least 1% of our total sales – not just profits – to environmental causes.

Sara is the first, and at this time only real estate agent/company in the San Francisco Bay Area that is a member of 1% for the Planet.   She is confident that her philanthropy will make an impact in the Bay Area, and encourage others to join the efforts of helping to keep “Earth in business.”

This video provides an excellent explanation of the organization and some of its members.

[one percent] of the story from 1% for the Planet on Vimeo.

1% FOR THE PLANET: THE MUSIC, VOL. 1

Get your compilation of rare or exclusive tracks from leading musicians like Jack Johnson, Grace Potter, and Jackson Browne, to spread the 1% message and raise more support for environmental groups around the world. Visit the 1% music site and grab some tunes.

To learn more about 1% For The Planet, check out www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

Here’s a Little Perspective on Giving.

Corporate philanthropy in America averages somewhere around one-tenth of 1% of sales. It represents only 4% of total charitable giving. While Americans gave a record $306 billion to charity in 2007, the environment received significantly lower funding than any other sector — less than 2% of the total. Some estimate that there are more than 1,000,000 public charities around the world focused on issues of sustainability. Unfortunately, that’s where we stand: facing an increasing array of challenges without ample resources to address them. 1% for the Planet is helping to tilt the scales of giving toward the thousands of under-funded nonprofits dedicated to the pursuit of sustainability, to preserving and restoring our natural environment. We’re urging members of the business community to contribute one percent of their sales to these groups around the world—to become part of the solution.

If you're a business owner (or have any influence over your boss), please consider becoming a member of this socially and environmentally progressive group. By contributing 1% of net annual sales to grassroots environmental groups, members of 1% For The Planet affect real change. And members receive other benefits: The satisfaction of paving the way for more corporate responsibility in the business community and the recognition, support and patronage of conscientious consumers who value serious commitment to the environment.

*The above information and statistics were taken from the 1% for the Planet website and Quick Guide