Catalyzing Business & Individual Giving for the Planet
Summary
In 2024, 1% for the Planet committed to substantially increase its impact by engaging businesses and individuals in environmental philanthropy to achieve a lifetime certified impact of $1 billion by December 31, 2028. This commitment represents a major scaling-up for 1% for the Planet—doubling its impact in just five years. Scaling at this level requires strategic growth of 1% for the Planet’s membership program, which includes proactive outreach to businesses in key geographies, while building on the impact of the established membership model by adding a new initiative: the Planet Impact Fund. As the leader of a global network, 1% for the Planet facilitates sustained commitments to environmental organizations across four impact areas: Rights to Nature, Conservation & Restoration, Resilient Communities, and Just Economies. 1% for the Planet vets nonprofits and helps its members build philanthropic partnerships, resulting in support for environmental sustainability and social equity on a global scale.
Approach
1% for the Planet is committed to substantially increasing its impact by engaging businesses and individuals in environmental philanthropy to achieve a lifetime certified impact of $1 billion by December 31, 2028. It took 20 years to reach $500 million in certified giving—now, 1% for the Planet seeks to double its achievements in a quarter of the time it took to reach $500 million. This ambitious goal will be pursued through two key strategies.
1% for the Planet will concentrate on retaining and expanding its membership base, ensuring current business members uphold their philanthropic commitments while attracting new ones. Central to this effort is the rigorous certification of all member donations, ensuring transparency and accountability. 1% for the Planet will also prioritize the growth and effective management of the Planet Impact Fund, a vital tool for driving environmental giving. Through innovative tactics and strategic partnerships, 1% for the Planet aims to maximize the Planet Impact Fund’s potential to generate substantial contributions toward its $1 billion goal.
As the leader of a global network, 1% for the Planet facilitates sustained commitments to environmental organizations across four impact areas: Rights to Nature, Conservation & Restoration, Resilient Communities, and Just Economies. 1% for the Planet vets nonprofits in these impact areas and helps its members build philanthropic partnerships with them, resulting in support for environmental sustainability and social equity on a global scale.
However, achieving the $1 billion milestone presents inherent challenges, including ensuring consistent member engagement, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, and effectively managing a global network. To address these challenges, 1% for the Planet will leverage its extensive network, expertise in environmental giving, and strategic collaborations to overcome barriers and realize its commitment to transformative philanthropy.
Action Plan
To propel 1% for the Planet toward its $1 billion goal, it is laser-focused on building sales capabilities, enhancing member retention, and growing the Planet Impact Fund. The U.S., UK, and Europe are 1% for the Planet’s primary targets due to their substantial membership bases. It is investing in on-the-ground presence in these markets, with a particular focus on the Netherlands and Germany in 2024, and Sweden, Denmark, and Norway in 2025. Quarterly implementation steps include:
2024 Q3: Outreach to prospective business members (ongoing) ; certify member giving (ongoing) ; solicit feedback via annual business member survey
2024 Q4: Host annual Global Summit (in-person gathering for 1% for the Planet members) ; add new impact investments to Planet Impact Fund investment portfolio; build out 2025 organizational strategy
2025 Q1: Outreach to prospective business members (ongoing) ; new business member onboarding (ongoing) ; provide partnership advising to members (ongoing) 2025 Q2: Certify member giving (ongoing) ; disburse 10% of the Planet Impact Fund assets to selected grantees
2025 Q3: Annual business member survey; brand awareness poll (biannual) ; build out 2026-2028 organizational strategy
2025 Q4: Host annual Global Summit; add new impact investments to Planet Impact Fund
Looking ahead to 2026-2028, 1% for the Planet is looking to expand its footprint in Canada, Australia/New Zealand and Japan, solidifying its position as a global force for positive change. Through strategic investments and unwavering dedication, the organization is poised to realize its commitment to transformative philanthropy, fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.
1% for the Planet projects membership to increase to 6,000 by 2024 (with lifetime certified impact expected to reach $692M) ; 6,700 in 2025 ($769M) ; 7,500 in 2026 ($846M) ; 8,200 in 2027 ($923M) ; and 9,000 in 2028 ($1B) —uniting businesses and nonprofits worldwide in this powerful environmental movement.
Background
In the US, only 3% of total philanthropy is directed to environmental causes according to Giving USA. Globally, less than 2% of philanthropic funding is dedicated to climate action (ClimateWorks Foundation) . This is the smallest allocation to any issue area and is widely seen as insufficient relative to the funding environmental organizations need to address the urgent issues facing our planet. Prioritizing support for the nonprofit sector is critical; nonprofit organizations are able to develop the necessary expertise to drive solutions in a way that no other entity can, including in situations where there is no market-driven solution. There are thousands of effective organizations tackling environmental challenges, filling in critical gaps left by regulations that leave the environment and people vulnerable to a variety of threats. Yet these organizations face barriers to achieving meaningful progress that often come down to tight budgets restricting innovation and limiting their ability to achieve lasting change.
All around the world, people are being impacted by the threats to our environment, but it is often low-income and marginalized populations who face the worst impacts, while also lacking the resources to recover and adapt. This is why increasing the amount of money flowing to environmental organizations is so vital. Nonprofit organizations are often the entities working on the frontlines to support communities most at risk from environmental challenges.
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
As 1% for the Planet looks to accelerate its impact, it is seeking philanthropic support to fund its operations. Approximately 60-70% of 1% for the Planet’s operating costs are supported by membership dues from its members. Dues provide a core source of unrestricted operating funds that support 1% for the Planet’s ability to carry out its services for members and environmental partners. This includes partnership advising, certification, and impact storytelling. The other 30-40% is covered by donations. Donations support 1% for the Planet’s investments in the future to help it reach more businesses and grow environmental philanthropy (including through the Planet Impact Fund) . 1% for the Planet also seeks external media support to help broaden awareness beyond its own media platforms. Increased participation in 1% for the Planet is vital to reaching $1 billion in lifetime certified impact., 1% for the Planet works to amplify the impact of its global network of members and environmental partners through communications and storytelling. Using its website, social media, and communications, 1% for the Planet shares stories of partnerships between its members and partners, driving public awareness and inspiring increased engagement. 1% for the Planet also provides best practices for philanthropic giving to its members, with specific expertise on environmental giving. Through its nonprofit assessment and partnership advising services, 1% for the Planet provides guidance to help members develop fulfilling philanthropic partnerships with nonprofits they can trust.