1% Can Make a Huge Impact

Mike Hassenberg of Natural Mattress Company, a 1% for the Planet partner

Michael Cyr, Director of Marketing and Branding, Skinny Pancake

Jeff Dickson of Dickson Law Office

The Intervale Center is the beneficiary of a wide range of 1% for the Planet member companies including Patagonia, Skinny Pancake, Natural Mattress Company, Dickson Law, and Sunsoil. What these partnerships look like varies. Some businesses donate cash, while others choose to give to particular campaigns, collaborate on community projects, plant trees with us, or donate in-kind services. Each unique partnership is essential to supporting the Intervale Center’s mission: to strengthen community food systems.

1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses, non-profits, and individuals working together to make positive change for the environment. Businesses pledge to give 1% of their annual profits to non-profit organizations that are vetted by 1% for the Planet and known for doing high-impact work for the environment, like the Intervale Center. Since their founding in 2002, 1% for the Planet has facilitated over $225 million in charitable giving.

1% for the Planet was the vision of Patagonia Founder, Yvon Chouinard, and Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies, who felt a responsibility to protect the planet and give back to organizations doing this important work. The idea of giving back 1% of all sales was thought of as an “earth tax,” because businesses that profit from the earth’s resources should be protecting those resources in turn.

Patagonia continues to partner with many non-profits through 1% for the Planet, including the Intervale Center. On the ground, this looks like four years of Patagonia Burlington employees and the Intervale Conservation Nursery working together to create a buffer along the Winooski River. It looks like grant support from Patagonia for projects focused on improving water quality, engaging volunteers in the work of conservation, and creating linkages between sustainable agriculture and conservation. It looks like Burlington locals becoming physically involved in enhancing the environmental health of their food shed.

For some businesses, 1% for the Planet membership helps highlight organizational values to its customers. A 1% for the Planet sticker on a retail door can signify to customers that this business is more than just a commercial venture. “More and more the 1% brand and logo is being recognized. There is a feel-good vibe about that 1%. If someone buys a $2,000 mattress, $20 is going to a local nonprofit environmental organization. Most of my customers are local, or have an affinity for Vermont, so I think they feel great when they see that money is staying local.”-Mike Hassenberg, Natural Mattress Company.

Often, businesses partner with nonprofits through 1% because of how closely their goals align. Michael Cyr from Skinny Pancake says, “Summervale at the Intervale Center is the best representation of where our goals most closely align. People may come for the beer and music, and while they are there they have no choice but to eat local food, use compostables, learn how to make local granola, and see where the farms in Burlington are. If you have no awareness prior, you are forced into it, and that’s a good thing.”

Sunsoil is the Intervale Center’s newest partner through 1% for the Planet, making their first donation in 2019. Since then, they have volunteered with the Gleaning and Food Rescue Program, and are working on ways to grow the collaboration in 2020. “1% for the Planet made it easy for us to find the Intervale Center, an organization with values that closely align with our own with deep connections to Vermont’s rural agricultural economy,” says Bobby McConnell, Sunsoil’s VP of Sales & Marketing.

Jeff Dickson of Dickson Law says his reason for funding the Intervale Center though his 1% for the Planet membership is more personal. “I really just like the fact that the Intervale Center exists. It’s so nice to have that natural area, that connection to nature right on the edge of town. You are literally entering a different world, five minutes from downtown Burlington.”

However our partners connect to us through 1%, this much is clear:  We couldn’t do what we do without their support. The Intervale Center is grateful to be working with these incredible businesses to create a better food system, and a better world.

Patagonia and Ski Rack employees clearing trail in the Intervale Center at an all-staff volunteer day.