Feel Good Friday - 1% for the Planet

Earth Day is on Sunday so Feel Good Friday is celebrating the environment and the work being done by 1% for the Planet.

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Matthews, founder of Blue Ribbon Files, 1% for the Planet's mission is to "bring dollars and doers together to accelerate smart
environmental giving."

With only 3% of philanthropic giving in the US going to environmental causes, 1% for the Planet wants to "significantly increase the overall amount of global dollars going to help protect the planet with the smartest donations possible." This two-minute video provides a quick rundown.

Businesses who join commit to donating 1% of their annual profits to the nonprofit partners identified and vetted by 1% for the Planet. Individuals commit to donating 1% of their annual salaries. This global network of over 1200 businesses and hundreds of individual members has given more than $175 million dollars to environmental nonprofits to date!

Donations are given directly to organizations focused on the following areas: climate, food, land, pollution, water and wildlife. If you're curious to see who participates, you can see and search both the list of recommended nonprofits and member businesses.

In addition to providing guidance on giving, 1% for the Planet holds various campaigns and events throughout the year. During the month of April, the campaign is #360 for the planet. People are encouraged to film a 360 degree video in an inspiring location then post it on social media explaining why the planet is important to them. If you'd like to participate, directions, examples and recommended hashtags can be found here.

To maximize the impact of your philanthropy, you can become a member of 1% for the Planet. You can also show your support by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @1PercentFTP.