Avocado Gives Back
OUR CHARITABLE INITIATIVES
As a responsible and activist company, we are proud members of 1% for the Planet. This means we donate 1% of all mattress sales to vetted environmental nonprofits to address the interrelated issues of climate change, healthy food systems, land management, water resources, pollution, and wildlife diversity. Best of all, as our business grows — with your support — so does our impact on our nonprofit partners. So far, we've donated millions of dollars to dozens of organizations. When we first launched this program, we chose many different partners throughout the year. Now we believe a more focused approach allows us to have a greater impact.
These are the incredible organizations we've worked with.
THE FARMLINK PROJECT
Holiday 2023
Billions of pounds of food are wasted in the U.S. each year while millions of Americans go hungry. During the holidays, Avocado proudly supported The Farmlink Project, a nonprofit that works to make the world’s abundance of food accessible to everyone, at scale, and with dignity. Through our partnership, we helped transport 1.57 million pounds of fresh produce from farms to food banks, provided 1.31 million meals to those in need, with a focus on our store regions, avoided 2,361 metric tonnes of CO2e, and saved 31.9 million gallons of water.
WOMEN'S EARTH ALLIANCE
Fall 2023
A United Nations study shows that climate change disproportionately impacts women and girls — even more so for those in marginalized groups. That’s why we teamed up with Women’s Earth Alliance, an international nonprofit on a mission to protect the environment, end the climate crisis, and ensure a just, thriving world by empowering women’s leadership. Our partnership helped uplift more than 9,000 women-led environmental projects in nine countries, including Regenerative Agriculture and Health Accelerator programs in the United States and Mexico and Women and Climate Accelerator programs in Brazil.
TICKET TO DREAM
Back-to-School Season 2023
More than 400,000 children in foster care in our country often have little to no belongings of their own. During 2023's back-to-school season, we partnered with Ticket to Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to providing hope and opportunity for foster children across the U.S. As a result, Avocado delivered 17,000 foster kids with back-to-school essentials like shoes, clothing, personal care, and diapers, helped 200 foster kids gain access to outdoor experiences like surfing, and donated mattresses and pillows for youth in care to sleep tight and dream big.
THE FRUIT TREE PLANTING FOUNDATION
Avocado Month 2023
For the fifth year in a row, Avocado proudly partnered with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation to work with schools, families, and small-scale farmers in low-income areas. On National Avocado Day (July 31), we supported the planting of 4,000 fruit trees, including avocados — a sustainable source of food and income — in remote communities in the Peruvian Amazon. In the five years that we've supported the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, we’ve planted a total of 14,500 trees.
SOLARBUDDY
Earth Month 2023
Due to a lack of access to safe, reliable, affordable electricity, 789 million people are plunged into darkness every night. Global nonprofit SolarBuddy was created to spread awareness and tackle issues surrounding energy poverty by gifting innovative, sustainable light solutions to children worldwide. Avocado is proud to partner with SolarBuddy during Earth Month. Every order will help illuminate the futures of 25,000 children in developing countries impacted by extreme energy poverty.
PROTECT OUR WINTERS
Winter 2022
Drastic and swift action to preserve our planet isn’t negotiable. That’s why nonprofit Protect Our Winters leverages passionate outdoor people to safeguard the outdoor places and lifestyles we love from climate change. Avocado is proud to donate 1% of revenue to help POW’s community of athletes, scientists, creatives, and business leaders advance non-partisan policies that protect our outdoor playgrounds today and for future generations.
BRAVE TRAILS
Social Equality Partner
Brave Trails is a nonprofit supporting the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders. Through curated summer and family camps and mentorship programs, Brave Trails focuses on helping LGBTQ+ youth find their people, their place, and their passion. Over the past seven years, they have served thousands of growing adults in 39 states and 15 countries. Avocado is proud to donate 100% of proceeds from our Natural As Love Organic Cause Tee to help amplify their mission.
RE:WILD
Spring 2022
Nearly 70% of people don’t know what biodiversity is, or why it matters. Throughout the year, we’re educating our community about the importance of species loss while donating 1% of our annual revenue to Re:wild, a nonprofit that believes protecting and restoring the wild is the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity, and pandemic crises. Re:wild collaborates with local leaders to protect and restore vital habitats to our planet’s most critical species.
TREES, WATER & PEOPLE
Summer 2021
After two Category 4 hurricanes hit Honduras in November 2020, countless community members lost their homes, land, and businesses. As part of their commitment to helping people and the planet, nonprofit Trees, Water & People (TWP) has delivered emergency relief to over 1,000 local families in need. This year, Avocado is proud to sponsor TWP’s Plant Change initiative aimed at helping support women cacao and spice farmers throughout the country who were affected by these devastating natural disasters.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Winter 2021
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics protects the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly. The Center accomplishes this mission by delivering cutting-edge education and research to millions of people across the country every year. They work in all 50 states to help protect wildlife, water, and public trails to minimize our impact on the natural world.
BIG GREEN
Holidays 2020
Big Green is a national nonprofit that works in schools across the country to connect kids to real food through a network of nearly 650 Learning Gardens and food literacy programs. In response to COVID-19, Big Green launched a suite of online resources designed to connect kids, families, and teachers to engaging resources that can be taught remotely or self-led. This school year, they are providing garden kits to give students the tools and resources they need to build food resiliency at home.
KULA PROJECT
Winter 2020
In 2018, through our partnership with Kula, we helped fund the Liddy Women’s Center in Rwanda. A year later, we donated 20,000 coffee seedlings to 225 coffee farmers in the area. This year, we’re honored to continue our support of the Kula Project, which is dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs, providing business opportunities for coffee farmers and artisans, and creating change for a better future.
PLASTIC OCEANS INTERNATIONAL
Summer 2020
People buy 500 billion plastic water bottles worldwide every year. More than 90 percent of all plastics are never recycled. The result? Eight million tons of plastic dumped in the oceans annually. The consequences are devastating — diminished ecosystems and wildlife as well as micro-plastics in our own food and water systems. That’s why Plastic Oceans International is on a mission to end plastic pollution. Through advocacy, activism, education, and science, the nonprofit hopes to change the world’s attitude toward plastic and thereby influence public policy and consumer and corporate behavior.
OUTDOOR AFRO
Social Justice Urgent Partner
Through black connections and leadership, Outdoor Afro is making outdoor recreation, nature, and conservation inclusive for all. The nationwide nonprofit celebrates and inspires black connections, bringing more equity to the natural world. Trained volunteers lead groups in hiking, biking, and camping trips, as well as lessons in environmental education and conservation stewardship. In doing so, Outdoor Afro is changing the narrative around outdoor adventures — inspiring healthy lifestyles, healing, and conservation.
ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE
COVID-19 Urgent Partner
EcoHealth Alliance works around the world to predict and prevent the migration of deadly disease spilling over from animals into humans. Through research, training, and policy initiatives, they develop tools to stop pandemics and promote conservation. They are working with local partners in the U.S. and around the world to strengthen disease prevention and detection systems in hotspot regions where the threat of new outbreaks is highest and resources lowest. Together, we can support their mission.
NATIONAL YOUNG
FARMERS COALITION
Spring 2020
The National Young Farmers Coalition supports young farmers around the country. Their goal is to set independent family farms up for success by sharing sustainable farming practices, locating affordable land, and building relationships for farmer-to-farmer mentoring opportunities. As the current crisis unfolds, their team will continue to advocate on behalf of their members and we are proud to support their efforts this spring.
TREES, WATER & PEOPLE
Winter 2020
Trees, Water & People (TWP) is on a mission to improve, protect, and manage natural resources with climate-vulnerable populations. TWP designs conservation projects throughout Latin America and U.S. tribal lands to enhance the environment while creating economic opportunities for locals. With your help, we’re joining the fight with TWP. Over the next three months, a portion of Avocado proceeds will directly support TWP’s mission.
MADE SAFE
December 2019
MADE SAFE and their whole ecosystem approach uses science to determine if a substance is expected to harm humans, animals, or the environment. The MADE SAFE seal gives shoppers a way to easily recognize products that have been vetted to a rigorous, independent, scientific standards—allowing them to choose better products. We are honored to support their work.
CITY HARVEST
November 2019
City Harvest is New York City’s largest food rescue organization — helping feed the nearly 1.2 million New Yorkers who are struggling to put meals on their tables. With the holiday season upon us, we are grateful for our ability to continue our partnership with City Harvest to help reduce food waste and share the joy with those in need. Our donation helped feed 74,000 people in need throught the boroughs of New York City.
HEAL THE BAY
October 2019
Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean. By empowering local communities, monitoring water quality, and advocating for restoration, Heal the Bay is working toward a greener, bluer Los Angeles County for everyone. We're proud to support their local efforts.
KULA PROJECT
SEPTEMBER 2019
Kula Project embarked on a journey with one thing in mind — creating opportunities to ensure a better future for all. With their mission rooted in cultivating empowerment through entrepreneurial fellowships accessible to families in villages across East Africa, we are humbled to support a female-powered collective that works alongside remarkable women and men who are striving for peace and prosperity for their children. This year we went all in for International Coffee Day to provide 20,000 coffee seedlings to 225 coffee farmers in the Kayonza and Kadenke regions of Rwanda.
POST-LANDFILL ACTION NETWORK
AUGUST 2019
The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) cultivates, educates, and inspires the student-led Zero Waste movement. They work with students on 300-plus college campuses nationwide to implement waste reduction projects, such as move-out programs, reusable to-go container programs, on-campus thrift stores, compost programs, and more. PLAN engages students in thinking deeply about solutions to stop waste before it is created. We are honored to support their mission to bring zero waste to all.
THE FRUIT TREE PLANTING FOUNDATION
JULY 2019
The FTPF so clearly shares a passion for making the world a greener, cleaner, and happier place. They wholeheartedly believe that fruit trees provide a solution to many of today’s pressing problems, including malnutrition and chronic hunger, depleted soils and erosion, flooding and contaminated water sources, food deserts, and accessibility. Our donation provided the opportunity to plant 312 fruit trees at 11 locations around the Big Island of Hawai'i.
1% FOR OPEN SPACE
JUNE 2019
1% for Open Space is a consortium of local businesses working together to preserve and maintain open spaces in the Gunnison Valley in Colorado. Through locally-raised funds, they have helped preserve over 10,000 acres of land. We see them as a leader in this hyper-local movement and are honored to support their mission to preserve and maintain the natural landscape through prioritizing the protection of our watersheds, ecosystems, wildlife habitat, ranching lands, uninterrupted viewsheds, recreational access, and rural lifestyles.
FORTERRA
MAY 2019
Forterra was started by a dedicated group of volunteers who had one thing in mind: finding a fresh approach to keeping our wilderness wild, our farms protected, and our cities thriving. They are on a mission to link community and conservation — people to our places. We are honored to support their cause.
FRIENDS OF TREES
APRIL 2019
Friends of Trees is inspired by the people of Oregon and Washington. They have one thing in mind: "planting trees and growing healthy communities together." Founded in 1989 by a resident of Portland who loves trees, they have now grown into a regionally recognized leader that is improving the urban tree canopy while restoring sensitive natural areas. If you're in the area and want to get to know the people of the neighborhood, you can learn more about their volunteering options. Together, we helped plant 6,600 trees and native shrubs in different neighborhoods around Portland.
BCPP
MARCH 2019
For more than 25 years, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) has been a leading science-based advocacy organization working to eliminate our exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation. With a focus on the intersection of breast cancer prevention and environmental health, their goal is to introduce clean products into our homes. As a result of our donation, BCPP implemented their Theory of Change to help fund the support necessary to convince policymakers to oppose the powerful chemical industry and educate consumers on why they should demand safer products.
ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE
FEBRUARY 2019
Nowhere else in America can compare to the pristine lands and abundant wildlife of Alaska. Alaska Wilderness League has made it their mission to protect America's last great wild public lands and waters. Our donation helped amplify the voices of AWL partners as part of their legislative strategy with advocacy fly-ins. They connect members of Congress with their constituents affected by upcoming bills to defend places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
JANUARY 2019
For 100 years, National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the independent, nonpartisan voice working to protect and strengthen America’s favorite places. Through their nationwide network of offices and 1 million supporters, they speak up for our more than 400 national park landscapes, seashores, and cultural and historic places across America.
AMERICAN FORESTS
DECEMBER 2018
American Forests inspires and advances the conservation of forests, which are essential to life. They do this by protecting and restoring threatened wildland forest ecosystems, promoting and expanding urban forests, and education. As a result of our donation, America Forests planted over 85,000 whitebark pine trees in the Northern Rockies and Cascades to improve and preserve the endangered grizzly bear’s habitat. They also led a coalition to restore the threatened ecosystems in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
OCEANA
NOVEMBER 2018
Oceana campaigns to protect and restore the world's oceans. Their teams of marine scientists, economists, lawyers, and advocates win specific and concrete policy changes to reduce pollution and to prevent the irreversible collapse of fish populations, marine mammals, and other sea life. We’re honored to support this critical work.
KULA PROJECT
OCTOBER 2018
Kula Project was founded on the belief that the cycle of poverty was not for lack of money but a lack of opportunity, and if organizations could invest in the ideas and businesses of people living in poverty, together, they could change the future. As a result of our donation, we were able to fully fund a Kula Women's Center as part of their critical work to eradicate poverty in Rwanda through the development of entrepreneurs.
CITY HARVEST
SEPTEMBER 2018
More than 46 million people — including 13 million children — in the U.S. don’t know where their next meal will come from. We’re proud to partner with City Harvest this September for Hunger Action Month. As a result of our donation, City Harvest rescued 220,000 pounds of food that would otherwise go to waste; instead, it was delivered to our neighbors in need across New York City.
INLAND OCEAN COALITION
AUGUST 2018
The Inland Ocean Coalition’s unifying charge is to develop a two-way relationship with the ocean and water. Those who live among mountains, rivers, and inland cities have a direct impact on the cycles of life in the ocean. Our donation allowed the Inland Ocean Coalition to expand their reach in fighting offshore oil development, safeguarding protections for national marine monuments and sanctuaries, and increasing campaigns against single-use plastic. It also funded new chapters and new staff members in Montana, Tennessee, and Iowa.
BLUE PLANET FOUNDATION
JULY 2018
Blue Planet Foundation is a nonprofit powering the transition to 100% clean energy in Hawaii and leading the way for global change. We’re a proud supporter of their programs, which create sustainable change through bold advocacy, energy awareness, and community action. A portion of our donation helped fund the Student Energy Summit, an interactive educational workshop for kids that zeroes in on Hawaii’s energy challenges and opportunities.
CANOPY
JUNE 2018
Canopy is an environmental nonprofit that protects the world's forests, species, and climate by collaborating with businesses and the public to create sustainable supply chains and innovative solutions to environmental challenges. We’re proud to support their global efforts.
BEE GIRL
MAY 2018
The Bee Girl Organization is a nonprofit on a mission to educate and inspire communities to conserve bees, their flowers, and our food systems. They achieve this through regenerative beekeeping, bee habitat research, education, and kids programs. As a result of our donation, Bee Girl restored 100 acres of highly degraded pastureland into lush fields to provide habitat for bees, regenerate soil, conserve water, and sequester carbon. Learn more about the Regenerative Bee Pasture Project.
ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION
APRIL 2018
Arbor Day Foundation is on a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. Trees clean air and water, slow climate change, ease poverty and hunger, prevent species loss, and feed the human soul. All we need to do is plant and care for them. We support their work to make this happen around the world. As a result of our donation, Arbor Day planted 48,250 trees!
SOCIAL PLASTIC FOUNDATION
MARCH 2018
With over eight trillion pounds of plastic already scattered throughout the planet, we fully support the work of the Social Plastic Foundation in advocating for its reuse. Through their programs, more corporations will use recycled plastic to improve the lives of those in need while preventing plastic waste from entering our oceans. Our donation helped launch a recycling education program in Haiti.
596 ACRES
FEBRUARY 2018
596 Acres builds tools to help NYC area neighbors see vacant lots as opportunities to create green spaces that become focal points for community organizing and civic engagement. Our support enabled 596 Acres to engage the NYC community in a variety of community greenspace creation and preservation activities, including ramping up the #ProtectOurPlaces campaign to work with the community to pressure elected officials to change the law so that community gardens and other community spaces are no longer put in danger because of errors in the city’s tax policy.
OJAI VALLEY LAND CONSERVANCY
JANUARY 2018
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) is a community-based nonprofit working with partners to permanently protect the open space, natural scenic beauty, wildlife, habitat, and watershed of the Ojai Valley for current and future generations. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy used our donation to implement much-needed sustainable trail maintenance as a result of the devastating Thomas Fire.
ACCESS FUND
DECEMBER 2017
Today, one in five climbing areas in the U.S. is threatened by an access issue — whether it's private land lost to development, public land managers overregulating climbing, or climber impacts degrading the environment. Access Fund is on a mission to protect climbing access and the integrity of America’s outdoor climbing areas. Our donation helped open ten new climbing areas and preserve access at 240 others.
CITY HARVEST
NOVEMBER 2017
November is a time for giving thanks and feasting with family and friends. For many facing food scarcity, that’s simply not an option. That's why we partnered with City Harvest, a food rescue organization that is helping to solve the dual problems of food waste and hunger in New York City. Our contribution allowed City Harvest to rescue and deliver 60,000 pounds of food to our hungry neighbors in New York City.
WELLNESS IN SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 2017
Wellness in the Schools is a national nonprofit with a hopeful vision: an end to childhood obesity. They teach kids healthy habits to learn and live better, right where they are — in school. We love their hands-on approach of partnering with public schools and are proud to support their efforts. Our contribution funded a full year of Wellness in the Schools Labs (seasonal cooking classes) in one New York City school.
TEXAS DIAPER BANK
LATE AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017
The Texas Diaper Bank is supporting families with babies evacuated during Hurricane Harvey by supporting them with diapers and other baby care products. By donating to the Texas Diaper Bank with a percentage of our sales, we are supporting these families during this time of crisis and need.
AMERICAN RIVERS
JULY-AUGUST 2017
If "water is life" then, as Norman Maclean eloquently said, "a river runs through it." It is in this spirit that we have selected American Rivers as our featured advocacy effort for July. American Rivers combines national advocacy with field work in key river basins to help protect and restore our nation’s rivers — essential for fish, wildlife, outdoor activities, and human health. Read Jay Decker's & Melissa Kruse's "Rivers are the Lifeblood of the Planet."
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
JUNE 2017
Now, more than ever, the mission of the Nature Conservancy is extremely relevant: to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. We are proud to support this crucially important environmental program.
FLEET FARMING
MAY 2017
Fleet Farming strives to reduce the environmental impact of food production through a pedal-powered, hyperlocal urban farming model that creates a culture of health and vibrant ecosystems by teaching an intergenerational fleet of volunteers how to grow their own food, activating and re-engaging the community through biweekly Swarm Rides, and creating a biodiverse environment through emissions-free, organic farming.
OXFAM
APRIL 2017
The world stands on the brink of unprecedented famine. Millions of families are at risk of starvation in South Sudan, Nigeria, Yemen, and Somalia. They urgently need food, sanitation, and clean water. We are proud to make a donation to Oxfam to help those in need.
TEAM SUPER MAEVE
MARCH 2017
"Team Super Maeve" was raising funds for Make-a-Wish. Make-a-Wish granted Maeve's wish to go to Disney World in 2014 as she battled and eventually beat cancer! To support our friends' daughter, and everyone else needing joy and strength, we made a donation to Team Super Maeve in support of Make-a-Wish!
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017
To help "rescue thousands, protect millions, and prove that justice for the poor is possible," we were proud to make a donation to the International Justice Mission.