1% for the Planet Certification

[cgarrighan]

Hi Community, I shared with one of our fellow portfolio companies how our company (Force Management) has taken the 1% pledge. They are currently considering taking the 1% for the Planet pledge, but are curious about taking the Pledge 1%.  Are there any companies who have taken both the Pledge 1% and 1% for the Planet? If so, we're curious as to why you did both. 

[Lindsey_P1]

Hey there! I just wanted to chime in and say that Pledge 1% isn't exclusive. If a company wants to take a 1% for the Planet pledge, become a BCorp or more, that's all great news! Many of our members are part of multiple giving back efforts. The more good we can all do, the better. 

[cgarrighan]

Hi Lindsey, thank you for the feedback. That was the immediate feedback I shared with our fellow portfolio company, so I appreciate you validating what I initially thought. 

[InesGarcia]

Hiya C, 

I have gone through the process but decided to step back. I find it very weak on triage and on their own operations, most fee goes to their company rather than actual impact

[cgarrighan]

Thank you for this input. This is helpful! 

[InesGarcia]

Of course, pleasure C

Here some more of the work I do inesgarcia.me

[PPC_Nathan]

I do both and donate 1% of revenue to 1% for the planet and 1% of time (volunteering) and 1% of product (pro bono consulting) to Pledge 1%. I am also a certified B Corp. So yes, the more, the merrier! 

[InesGarcia]

Thats fab! did you know that the money given to 1% for the planet is for them to run (operations, promotion etc) rather than impact results for example to protect land?

[kiwiandi]

I came across this thread while researching which of the two programs to opt my company into, and wanted to make clarifications to @InesGarcia said, because I think there may have been some misunderstandings.

1. The fee for "1% for the Planet" is quite reasonable (an excerpt of their fee schedule attached below). A $500 fee on $500K revenues = 0.1%. The fee is paid to help the org run their operations, which is important and brings me to my next point:
2. 1% for the Planet *actually* verifies that each member does what they commit to, i.e. donate 1% of their revenues. Each member has to provide their tax filings and donation receipts annually to prove that they're honouring their commitment.

As others said, if you can do both, I think that's the best. I will be doing both (1% of the team's time to pro bono consulting + 1% of the business's revenues)

Having been part of larger organizations where corporate social responsibility was mostly talk and no followthrough, I appreciate 1% for the Planet's effort to hold members accountable to their commitments. And that's ultimately why I decided to go with them vs. Pledge 1%. 

Hope this is helpful for anyone considering either program.

[InesGarcia]

Hi kiwiandi! I should have said "part" I have been in this intersection of work including helping companies to get accreditations, Bcorp certified, carbon accounting and auditing etc for quite a few years. There is always a balance to make between the investment for a 'logo' vs actual performance certifications and vs ultimately progress / investment in regeneration (& do less harm) For example for a handful SMEs may fall in the category of paying 1000 per year 'membership' to which 50% (500) goes to 1%planet to run (operations, promotion etc) rather than impact results. I think in the 'sustainability' space we need to be very honest to ourselves into what we ought to achieve.

Happy to support kiwiandi if you have more questions and or guidance.