From Sales to Springs: How 1% for the Planet Helps Companies Easily Increase Their Philanthropic Impact

Did you know that 2.2 billion people still live without safely managed drinking water? Even worse, 115 million people get their water from “surface water” sources like pools, ponds, and rivers. A lack of clean water affects just about every aspect of people’s lives, leading to poor health, limited education opportunities, food insecurity, continued poverty, and gender inequality.

The Water Project works where this problem is worst, in sub-Saharan Africa, installing community water sources to provide safe, reliable water. The organization’s goal is to reach 100% water source coverage in each of its service areas in Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, with the hope being that everyone there will be able to reach a safe water source within a half-hour roundtrip from their home.

This ambitious goal requires funding — which is why The Water Project works with 1% for the Planet, a movement of globally responsible businesses that donate a portion of their sales to non-profits supporting our ecosystem and the sustainable management of the Earth’s resources. 

One company that has partnered with 1% for the Planet and The Water Project to fund water projects in sub-Saharan Africa is Berkshire Blanket & Home Co., which has been a generous supporter of The Water Project since 2022. To help fund projects, Berkshire donates a percentage of their profits from sales of their EcoThread blanket line, the production of which uses half the amount of water of a normal blanket’s creation.

To date, this partnership has funded seven water projects, providing over 1,600 people with clean water. Aside from this, sales have also contributed to The Water Project’s sustainability program, called The Water Promise, which supports the monitoring and maintenance of each water source The Water Project installs. 

“Our decision to donate to 1% for the Planet is born out of a sense of responsibility to ensure that we’re protecting the planet with every decision we make,” said Berkshire Blanket & Home Co.’s Marketing Director Claudia Addamo. 

“That means decreasing or eliminating our environmental impact wherever possible and helping to provide more equitable access to one of the most fundamental requirements for life on earth: clean, safe water.”

The idea to contribute to water as a cause came from within Berkshire Blanket. From there, the company was able to search through the nonprofits partnered with 1% for the Planet to find the best fit for them. Then, Berkshire Blanket staff worked with The Water Project to identify which communities would benefit.

“Water is something we’re constantly working to better conserve by implementing innovative new manufacturing techniques like AquaSmart DyeTM and EcoThreadTM, which uses zero water in the dyeing process and 50% less water during production,” Addamo continued. 

“We decided to partner with The Water Project because we share the same mission of helping make clean water more accessible for everyone.”

The 1% for the Planet collaborative makes it relatively easy for businesses of any size to convert sales proceeds into incredible change. Businesses choose to donate 1% of all sales, a brand, or a specific product line to any of the collaborative’s environmental partners (including The Water Project).

“As our partnership continues to grow, we’re excited to see that number increase until everyone on the planet has access to safe, clean, and reliable water,” Addamo concluded.

This partnership between The Water Project, Berkshire Blanket & Home Co., and 1% for the Planet exemplifies cooperation in the name of the common good. 

In today's world, the intersection between environmental sustainability and business success is more pronounced than ever. By dedicating 1% of their sales to causes they care about, businesses contribute to a greater good while investing in their own future. 

The benefits of engaging with 1% for the Planet extend far beyond the immediate impact on environmental and social issues. This initiative offers a powerful platform for businesses to demonstrate leadership, innovate, and build a legacy of positive impact. In embracing such commitments, companies carve out a path of sustainable success, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

Let this story inspire more businesses to realize that the path to sustainability is not just a moral choice but a strategic imperative. Initiatives like 1% for the Planet offer a tangible way to turn corporate success into global progress.