Embracing Earth Day: Preserving Our Planet for Future Generations

Earth Day is here.

Since its inception in the 1970s, April 22nd has remained a poignant reminder for corporations and their leaders to reflect on their impact on our shared planet and to take decisive steps to safeguard its future.

If you're still considering how to contribute, be assured that there's an initiative tailored perfectly to your sustainability strategy.

For instance, EARTHDAY.ORG has rallied its forces around the theme of "Planet vs. Plastics," aiming for an ambitious 60% reduction in plastic production by 2024. The World Wildlife Fund offers invaluable guidance for companies embarking on their sustainability journey, providing tangible starting points such as the "60 Actions for the Planet" or simply dedicating an hour to serving the earth. Additionally, organizations worldwide are focusing efforts on sustainable mobility, with initiatives like Earth Day Canada's "leg day" and NYC's largest-ever Open Streets event.

For those seeking even more opportunities, hundreds of local events, ranging from cleanup projects to Earth Day festivals, can be found on EARTHDAY.ORG’s event tracker. Undoubtedly, the global sustainability movement is gaining significant momentum.

However, corporate giving and sustainability endeavors extend far beyond Earth Day alone. Initiatives like Pledge 1% are funneling millions of dollars into catalyzing climate action directly from corporate treasuries.

For those eager to make a long-term commitment to our planet, look no further than examples set by companies like Salesforce and Atlassian, who have driven tangible, positive change by pledging 1% of their equity, time, product, or profit.

How The Pledge 1% Functions

Pledge 1%, established in 2014 by Salesforce, Atlassian, and Rally, draws inspiration from Salesforce's 1-1-1 model, which originated in 1999. It emerged from a growing necessity for guidance in navigating corporate philanthropy.

What sets Pledge 1% apart is its inherent flexibility. Companies of all sizes and industries can join and direct their philanthropic efforts toward causes they deeply resonate with, with an increasing number focusing on environmental sustainability.

For instance, Salesforce deliberately channels more funding into catalytic grants for the planet.

Salesforce's Utilization of Their 1% For The Planet

As a founding member of Pledge 1%, Salesforce leads by example.

To date, Salesforce employees have contributed 8.7 million volunteer hours, and the company has granted over $700 million, including a $100 million commitment to climate action by the decade's end.

In a recent discussion with Naomi Morenzoni, SVP Climate and Innovation Philanthropy, she emphasized that these milestones wouldn't have been attainable without a genuine commitment to positive impact through the pledge.

"Our leaders firmly believe that business is the most potent platform for change, and doing good business presents a unique opportunity to do good," Naomi stated as we explored how Marc Benioff and the senior leadership team have integrated the 1% model into the company's ethos.

Despite corporate giving trailing behind individual donations, strategic deployment of corporate philanthropic capital can be transformative. "When deciding where and how to engage, we focus on opportunities where our funds can create a disproportionate impact. We seek to catalyze change, even if it necessitates patience, a trait philanthropic funding excels in," Naomi added.

For companies embarking on their philanthropic journey, our discussion concluded with three guiding principles: deep listening to the grant recipient and their communities, smart philanthropy that collaborates instead of operating in silos, and embracing unrestricted funding even if it means relinquishing control over outcomes.

"Corporate philanthropy needs to be more risk-tolerant to achieve our global climate goals. Corporate philanthropists should mirror angel investors, comfortable with the understanding that not every investment will yield runaway success," Naomi reflected on the mindset companies venturing into corporate giving should adopt.

What Matters From The Recipient’s Perspective

One grant recipient demonstrating early success is RE-volv, an energy justice nonprofit facilitating solar financing for community-based nonprofits nationwide. RE-volv received an $850,000 grant from Salesforce to aid underserved communities in accessing solar energy swiftly.

In our discussion with RE-volv’s Executive Director, Andreas Karelas, we explored the recipient’s viewpoint.

"External funding makes our model possible, and we witness firsthand the impact corporate philanthropy has as it empowers us to help our client nonprofits transition to solar and raise awareness about clean energy in their communities," Andreas revealed.

RE-volv has received funding from Wells Fargo, Salesforce, the Kresge Foundation, and The Schmidt Family Foundation, among others, in the form of unrestricted grants or operational capacity building grants, enabling RE-volv to allocate funds where they are most needed.

"We're deeply grateful for the trust and support our funders have shown us. Quite frankly, achieving the impact we aim for at the scale and pace we desire wouldn't be possible without general support funding," Andreas shared.

While every grant recipient is unique, key considerations emerge as you develop and expand your corporate philanthropy programs.

Firstly, take the time to comprehend the needs and goals of the organizations. Foster a partnership approach, prioritizing alignment and trust, arguably the most critical element in this relationship.

Secondly, acknowledge the significance of flexibility. Recipients like RE-volv can dynamically respond to the evolving landscape, maximizing the impact of every donated dollar.

Lastly, exercise patience and adopt a long-term perspective. Significant change, especially in intricate and extensive areas like climate action, requires perseverance over time.

Resources:

Climate Change: How Do We Know? - NASA Link: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - United Nations Link: https://www.ipcc.ch/

World Water Day - United Nations Link: https://www.worldwaterday.org/