Companies that Give Back

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I was having a conversation with a friend over a beer the other night and naturally we started talking about skiing, and somehow the topic of how Patagonia makes a point to pledge 1% of their sales to the "1% For the Planet" program came up. So I started wondering who else does this (or at least announces it publicly) as I really like the idea of supporting companies that try to give a little back either to our sport, our lifestyles, to the planet that we play on, etc. etc. Not too many others jump off the top of my head so if anyone knows of anymore please list 'em here. Hopefully PMG will be in a position to give back at some point as well. Here's a few, feel free to add more:

Patagonia:
"Since 1985, Patagonia has pledged 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. We've awarded over 18 million dollars in grants to domestic and international grassroots enviro groups making a difference in their local communities. Now the founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, have created a non-profit corporation with the sole purpose of encouraging businesses to give back to the environment. "

Compatriot Snowboards: (Owned & operated by fellow maggot Station....)
"We are not a company that is interested in capitalizing on the recent exploitation that snowboarding has received through the media, we will be around when the dust settles.
Compatriot is based on its people- that is why we make it a priority to help other organizations. We donate portions of the sales of every board to goodwill organizations that deal with crucial matters such as avalanche education and safety, breast cancer research, and freshwater trout preservation.
The word compatriot means friend, companionship, and a valiant loyalty to the cause. We Are Compatriot. "


Chris King Bicycle Components (giving back in a different way)
"We've successfully relocated to Portland, Oregon and are in the process of gathering historical information and photographs of our facility to showcase its makeover. Please visit this page again soon to read about what we did to bring a 50 year old building up to our environmental and manufacturing standards. Here's some of the guidelines that we followed:

Energy conservation: From utilizing sky lights to naturally light much of the building to insulation that provides up to 20x more effectiveness than that of normal buildings, every aspect of the building's design addresses the ever present need to reduce energy consumption.

'Green' materials: All building materials were considered for both their content and manufacturing processes. Where ever possible, the most 'green' materials possible were chosen. Of course, supplies such as packing materials, kitchen supplies, paper products, etc. are all evaluated for their environmental impact.

Recycling: It should go without saying, but we make it a policy to recycle/reuse everything possible (keep this in mind when you see us using the non-biodegradable packaging 'peanuts'...Reuse is better than sending them to a dump).

Manufacturing processes: Making stuff creates waste - there's no way around it. What we can do, however, is make sure we handle each and every process as efficiently and responsibly as possible. Our biggest accomplishment right now is our new anodizing line. By taking this typically dirty step in house, we were able to clean it up to our standards - which for us means ZERO waste water discharge. This absolutely state of the art line completely recycles all of the water it uses and produces minimal solid waste. It cost a fortune, but we all sleep better at night knowing we're not supporting the typical, potentially highly polluting, anodizing process.

We're constantly evaluating the way we do things in order to seek more environmentally conscious means towards making our world a better, more enjoyable place to live and ride."

[Darkside]

Planet Bike
"Planet Bike was founded in november of 1996 with the intent of being more than just another company that develops and sells products with profit as its end goal. We strive to bring you the best bicycle products in the world today. We truly believe in the potential of the bicycle to help improve the world and the lives of the people in it. Therefore, we donate 25% of company profits to causes that promote and facilitate bicycle usage."

[Stormin]

Here's a few more.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Here's a few more.

Nice...

Another:

Black Diamond (lots more info on their site)
"WALKING THE TALK
Quite simply, we love to give back. Since our beginning as Chouinard Equipment in 1958, we’ve been supporting organizations and communities that are critical to the survival of our sports. In fact, it’s the way we do business. It’s our style. This kind of support is an integral part of Black Diamond’s culture and a driving force behind our business. We feel it’s our responsibility to play a key role in our local community and the climbing and backcountry skiing communities at large—it is as important to us as the gear we create.

In reality, our support extends far beyond financial backing. Black Diamond offers advisory services, employee volunteers and facilities to our non-profit partners and industry friends. We’ve gone to Washington to lobby for our partners’ causes, held letter-writing campaigns on our campus and helped create momentum through publicity in our catalogs. On a grassroots level, we aim to support local causes and movements wherever we do business. Our sales representatives play an active role in the communities they serve and our employees take part in trail cleanups and local preservation efforts.

Bottom line: We hope that by acting as a responsible corporate citizen, Black Diamond can help non-profit and industry partners further their causes. As a vibrant supporter of our local and extended communities, we hope to act as a role model for others, and collectively make a difference—now and in the future. "

[Nobody Famous]

Here's a few more.

That's a nice list, and a good organization.

In comparison, some companies simply list outdoor 'supported organizations' on their websites and in their marketing materials. Here's a typical example. You never really know how much they give to the orgs, if anything at all. If anyone knows of where to view the donor lists for these orgs. (kind of like the lists of people who donate to politicians), I'd be interested to see it.

Some organizations stand above the rest, 1% for the planet is one, Bread for the World is another.

[cj001f]

In comparison, some companies simply list outdoor 'supported organizations' on their websites and in their marketing materials. Here's a typical example. You never really know how much they give to the orgs, if anything at all. If anyone knows of where to view the donor lists for these orgs. (kind of like the lists of people who donate to politicians), I'd be interested to see it.

I don't know of a master list, but many of those charitable organisations list their "corporate partners" and the amount (within brackets) that each give. It's also available in a roundabout manner if you look for the requirements of corporate sponsorship. The example you listed gives between $2,500-$5,000 a year to the Access Fund, and $400-$1000 to the amga. Black Diamond gives $20k+ to the Access Fund and $5k (probably much more) to the AMGA. Those are only cash figures I believe,most give more in product.

clifbar may not be in the same league, but they do do much for sustainability and charity.

[Station]

Compatriot Snowboards: (Owned & operated by fellow maggot Station....)

Wow- I feel special to be on this list! I really wish we could even give back more. Our donations are small, but they are something, you know.

Last year was just our sophomore year, and I wanted to be a part of some sort of enviro/backcountry fund. So we looked into a few of the non-profits that allocate members donations to various funds. These groups usually had high operating expenses, and unreasonable (for a small brand like Compatriot)annual fees. You also are required to select pre-chosen groups from a list.

So we said "hey! why don't we just create our own program- where we can donate however much to whomever we want!" So, Compatriot's Giving Back program was born. We have the freedom to donate a little to Breast Cancer Research, the Jackson Hole Avalanche Forecast Center, etc. Basically, just give back to the community, society, etc. Its feels good.


Here is a link to some more info on it, for the curious mags:
http://www.compatriotsnowboards.com/charity.html

[Mcwop]

My company gives tons of money to the United Way, habitats for humananity, and has an employee gift matching program. The matching program is dollar for dollar for employee gifts to non-profits of their choice.

[13]

Are there tax write-offs for corps that give back?

It's good PR that's for sure.

[Big E]

My company gives tons of money to the United Way, habitats for humananity, and has an employee gift matching program. The matching program is dollar for dollar for employee gifts to non-profits of their choice.

Honestly I think almost every large company does this.

[UTdave]

Are there tax write-offs for corps that give back?

It's good PR that's for sure.

Generally yes to the extent that they have profit. However, even a tax "write-off" only saves them 34 cents on the dollar so PR aside they are better off not donating.

[frozenwater]

[spam]

TGR has consistently year after year been the biggest corporate contibutor to the JH avalanche center.

We also donate product etc to causes that are close to our heart. Every year all profit from the JH Premiere of our latest movie is given to charity.

[/spam]

[DaveTV]

Ben & Jerrys

[Pinner]

PM Gear?

[Mit]

Mountain Equipment Co-op is another one who gives alot back. They have an extensive social and environmental policy which includes (among other things) using green buildings for their stores and an endowment fund for the enviroment.

[Grange]

Let us not forget Walmart. Ain't that a kick in the head. Or do they not count?

Taken from Walmart's website through the Walmart Foundation:

Wal-Mart has partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to create "Acres for America," which will conserve critical wildlife habitats for future generations. This revolutionary approach to store development will benefit conservation and the environment in the United States through our Real Estate division. Wal-Mart has committed $35 million for the next 10 years to conserve at least one acre of priority wildlife habitat for every acre developed for company use. This new program is one of the largest ever public-private partnerships and the first time a company has tied its footprint to land conservation. Although this program is not funded through the Wal-Mart Foundation, the biggest news from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. on the environment front is the April 2005 announcement of the Acres for America Program

[cj001f]

Let us not forget Walmart. Ain't that a kick in the head. Or do they not count?

$35 million over 10 years is $3.5million a year. For a company with revenue of $288 billion thats a whopping .0012% a year. No that doesn't count.

[shmerham]

From Forbes:

America's Most Philanthropic Companies

Company 2001 Cash Donations (As A % Of 2000 Income) 2001 Cash-Giving ($mil) 2000 Operating Income ($mil)

Target (nyse: TGT - news - people ) 2.51% $85.8 $3,418
Aetna (nyse: AET - news - people ) 1.94 21.5 1,104
J.C. Penney (nyse: JCP - news - people ) 1.58 14.0 885
Kroger (nyse: KR - news - people ) 1.56 39.0 2,497
Bank One (nyse: ONE - news - people ) 1.46 40.2 2,762
Best Buy (nyse: BBY - news - people ) 1.31 9.4 720
Johnson & Johnson (nyse: JNJ - news - people ) 0.98 78.6 7,992
Lockheed Martin (nyse: LMT - news - people ) 0.98 25.4 2,582
Boeing (nyse: BA - news - people ) 0.98 48.7 4,996
Wal-Mart Stores (nyse: WMT - news - people ) 0.94 116.5 12,392

That's just cash. Microsoft for instance donated $179 Mil in software and services, but that number is debatable since it depends on how the figure is calculated.

[Station]

From Forbes:

America's Most Philanthropic Companies

Company 2001 Cash Donations (As A % Of 2000 Income) 2001 Cash-Giving ($mil) 2000 Operating Income ($mil)

Target (nyse: TGT - news - people ) 2.51% $85.8 $3,418
Aetna (nyse: AET - news - people ) 1.94 21.5 1,104
J.C. Penney (nyse: JCP - news - people ) 1.58 14.0 885
Kroger (nyse: KR - news - people ) 1.56 39.0 2,497
Bank One (nyse: ONE - news - people ) 1.46 40.2 2,762
Best Buy (nyse: BBY - news - people ) 1.31 9.4 720
Johnson & Johnson (nyse: JNJ - news - people ) 0.98 78.6 7,992
Lockheed Martin (nyse: LMT - news - people ) 0.98 25.4 2,582
Boeing (nyse: BA - news - people ) 0.98 48.7 4,996
Wal-Mart Stores (nyse: WMT - news - people ) 0.94 116.5 12,392

That's just cash. Microsoft for instance donated $179 Mil in software and services, but that number is debatable since it depends on how the figure is calculated.

! I guess we didnt make the list. Maybe next year.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

PM Gear?

Hopefully PMG will be in a position to give back at some point as well.

1234545

[Core Shot]

From Forbes:

America's Most Philanthropic Companies

Company 2001 Cash Donations (As A % Of 2000 Income) 2001 Cash-Giving ($mil) 2000 Operating Income ($mil)

Target (nyse: TGT - news - people ) 2.51% $85.8 $3,418
Aetna (nyse: AET - news - people ) 1.94 21.5 1,104
J.C. Penney (nyse: JCP - news - people ) 1.58 14.0 885
Kroger (nyse: KR - news - people ) 1.56 39.0 2,497
Bank One (nyse: ONE - news - people ) 1.46 40.2 2,762
Best Buy (nyse: BBY - news - people ) 1.31 9.4 720
Johnson & Johnson (nyse: JNJ - news - people ) 0.98 78.6 7,992
Lockheed Martin (nyse: LMT - news - people ) 0.98 25.4 2,582
Boeing (nyse: BA - news - people ) 0.98 48.7 4,996
Wal-Mart Stores (nyse: WMT - news - people ) 0.94 116.5 12,392

That's just cash. Microsoft for instance donated $179 Mil in software and services, but that number is debatable since it depends on how the figure is calculated.

that's also operating income, not gross sales

Imagine if Walmart donated 1% of sales, like patagonia and others.
that would be huge.

[verbier61]

tyrone, sorry for entering this thread so late, I've been very interested in this issue this year. My first pick, so far, would be to select companies which do not produce in factories (or, at large, in countries) where labors might be treated like slaves. FI, I know it's virtually impossible to buy china-free, but I'd like to do so. Then, issues like patagonia's 1% are OK, but I would not be 100% satisfied to buy from patagonia if they extensively produce in china and do not intensively control how their labors are treated there.

[cj001f]

Then, issues like patagonia's 1% are OK, but I would not be 100% satisfied to buy from patagonia if they extensively produce in china and do not intensively control how their labors are treated there.

Patagonia doesn't 100% produce in China (unlike others). Things like Capilene are USA made. Problem is it's increasingly hard to find none boutique/custom brands that are US - or 1st world manufactured. Labor costs are simply to high for the outerware business model.

[verbier61]

Patagonia doesn't 100% produce in China (unlike others). Things like Capilene are USA made. Problem is it's increasingly hard to find none boutique/custom brands that are US - or 1st world manufactured. Labor costs are simply to high for the outerware business model.

yeah I know it's very complex. Even buying only arc't (supposed to produce 100% in canada) meant up to few weeks ago to support indirectly salomon-adidas which certainly has poor control of what is made in china or wherever...
what I'd really like to see is a statement from patagonia that - in addition to 1% - they have a program to control the quality of labors' life in their china (or whatever) factories

[Nobody Famous]

.
what I'd really like to see is a statement from patagonia that - in addition to 1% - they have a program to control the quality of labors' life in their china (or whatever) factories

Go here, Product FAQs, scroll down to the COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN section, and read about their involvement in the Fair Labor Association.