Author - Passion Fruit Partners
At Passion Fruit Partners, giving back is not a one-time event. It is an annual tradition rooted in purpose, and acting as a reminder to why they exist.
As a small team of 25 nonprofit professionals and Salesforce experts, Passion Fruit Partners joined the Pledge 1% movement to formalise what was already in their culture: donating time and resources to the communities they care about.
Each year, the team participates in a company-wide day of service, volunteering their time across various cities in Canada and supporting nonprofits that align with their mission. This year, their focus was on food security, reducing food waste, and providing hands-on community care.
On a single day, team members across five Canadian provinces volunteered with local nonprofit organizations, reinforcing that a small, values-led company can deliver a powerful, lasting impact.
Beyond these donations, Passion Fruit Partners also contributes 1% of annual revenue through an employee-directed giving program. Staff choose the causes closest to their hearts, ensuring the company’s impact extends year-round and reflects the team’s values.
A Canada-Wide Day of Volunteering
Through their Pledge 1% commitment, the team at Passion Fruit Partners spent the day immersed in community service. They supported local food-focused organisations that are responding to real and growing needs across the country.
Toronto: Sorting 2,775 lbs of Potatoes with Second Harvest
In Toronto, team members volunteered with Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organisation. They helped sort and pack more than 2,775 pounds of surplus potatoes. The produce was boxed up and sent to food banks and community groups to support families in need. The team worked on-site, checking quality, lifting crates, and ensuring that the food was safe and ready for delivery.
Calgary: Raising Funds for Holiday Cheer
In Calgary, one team member volunteered at the Calgary Stampede to raise funds for The Magic of Christmas. This volunteer-led nonprofit delivers gifts and meals to families, seniors, and shelters during the festive season. By selling Kinsmen Lottery tickets, she helped raise $10,000 to support this mission. The funds will contribute to supplies, gift deliveries, and transport across the city.
Vancouver: Frontline Support at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank
The Vancouver team supported the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, which provides nutritious food to individuals and families across four cities. Volunteers helped distribute food, packed special hampers for seniors, and coordinated safe and efficient parking for those accessing services. Every role contributed to a smooth, respectful experience for the community.
Nova Scotia: Tech Tools for a Local Food Bank
On the East Coast, one teammate volunteered solo at the Berwick Food Bank. He digitised their inventory tracking process, introduced Google Forms for food shipment recording, and set up reporting tools in Google Sheets. He also coordinated a faster internet connection so staff could work more efficiently. The updates helped the organisation modernise key parts of their day-to-day work.
Winnipeg: Rescuing Food and Reducing Waste
In Winnipeg, two team members volunteered with Food Rescue. They sorted and prepared surplus food collected from suppliers, ensuring that it reached shelters, food banks, and community fridges. The work helped reduce waste and increase food access for families across the region.
Supporting Missions Beyond the Day
Volunteering was only one part of this year's impact. Passion Fruit Partners also made financial donations to each organisation that their team supported. These donations helped sustain vital services, scale successful programs, and support operational costs long after the team’s volunteer day had ended.
- Second Harvest: Funding for national food rescue infrastructure and distribution
- The Magic of Christmas: Resources for gift delivery, food hampers, and outreach
- Greater Vancouver Food Bank: Contributions to support nutrition programs and food distribution
- Berwick Food Bank: Financial support for tech upgrades, supplies, and general operations
- Food Rescue: Funding to expand surplus food recovery and reduce food waste across Manitoba
A Tradition That Inspires Action
Passion Fruit Partners proves that a small team can drive wide-reaching impact. Their annual Pledge 1% day of service is more than a team-building activity. It is a reflection of who they are and the values they bring into their work all year round.
PFP’s giving does not stop at volunteering. Through their employee-directed giving program, the company commits 1% of its annual revenue to nonprofits chosen by staff. This model ensures that every team member has a voice in where funds are directed, further embedding purpose into their culture.
“We’re a small team working exclusively with nonprofits. Giving back is already in our culture. But doing it together, in person, reminds us why it all matters as we see the work in action, and that helps us even more.”
— Passion Fruit Partners Co-Founder, Ben Haggith
If you are a small business considering joining Pledge 1%, this story is your invitation. Purpose does not require scale. Just heart, time, and a willingness to show up.
