Patagonia said three key milestones have been reached that demonstrate how environmental activism continues to become embedded in the core of its business.
In summary, the company gave $6.2 million to 741 grassroots environmental groups around the world; appointed a new senior leader to focus on activism; and will again host Patagonia’s biennial four-day Tools Conference for small grassroots organizations.
Giving 1% of sales to grassroots activists worldwide
Each year, Patagonia pledges 1 percent of its sales to the protection and restoration of the natural environment regardless of the health of sales or the economy. They call it an Earth Tax.
This year, Patagonia identified 741 local grassroots environmental groups in 18 countries and gave them $6.2 million in cash to promote sustainable agriculture, prevent extreme resource extraction, protect endangered wildlife and habitat, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
In the conventional model of philanthropy, corporations and foundations mainly support large professional environmental groups. The large national organizations (those with budgets over $5 million) are doing important work; but they make up just 2 percent of all environmental groups, yet receive more than 50 percent of all environmental grants and donations.
The environmental movement at a grassroots level continues to be woefully underfunded and therefore Patagonia supports community-based organizations often edgy and off the beaten path working to create positive change for the planet in their own backyards. These individual battles are the most effective in raising more complicated issues in the public mind, particularly those of biodiversity, ecosystem protection and climate change. Since the program began in 1985, they’ve given $70 million to more than 3,500 groups globally.
New position: VP of Environmental Activism
Patagonia also appointed Lisa Pike Sheehy to the newly created role of Vice President for Environmental Activism. Sheehy will bring activism even more deeply into the brand's day-to-day business. She joins Patagonia’s core leadership team and will report directly to CEO Rose Marcario.
Sheehy has been with Patagonia for 12 years, and has strategically guided 1% for the Planet annual giving. She also oversaw initiatives like Oceans as Wilderness, Our Common Waters, Vote the Environment and the most recent New Localism campaigns. She serves as a Board Member for the Outdoor Industry Association and 1% for the Planet, and previously sat on the Conservation Alliance board for 10 years. Last year Lisa was honored as a recipient of the Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition Pioneering Woman of the Year Award.
She’ll continue to oversee grassroots giving as well as running and developing environmental campaigns, and will oversee Patagonia’s Tools for Grassroots Activists Conference.
Tools for Grassroots Activists Conference
In its 21st year, Patagonia will be hosting its biennial Tools for Grassroots Activists Conference later this month bringing representatives from more than 85 grassroots environmental organizations to an intensive, four-day learning and idea-sharing retreat.
These groups often have fewer than five paid staffers, often without direct expertise in every field required for successful campaigning. Patagonia said it is looking forward to talking with local organizers about ways to enhance activist efforts through advocacy, fundraising, marketing and communications, campaign strategy and social media, among other critical areas.
Presenters this year include Anthropologist and National Geographic Explorer Wade Davis, Communications Strategist and Spitfire Strategies Founder Kristen Grimm, Google Earth Outreach Team members, Patagonia Owner and Founder Yvon Chouinard, and Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario. In Spring 2016, for the first time Patagonia will release a book corresponding with the Tools Conference, designed to bring its activist teachings, strategy and tactics to a much wider audience and expand the conference’s reach.
