Way back in July 2007 when we launched this site, Maxwell was very clear about our mission: We would try to answer the question "How do I make a difference?" as it pertains to the intersection of the "green" movement and the "home decor" movement.
Another thing that he decided, not long before our launch, was that Apartment Therapy would team up with 1% For The Planet, and give 1% of its profits to environmental organizations each year.
Now comes the really good part: It's time to give 1% of AT's 2007 profits away, and we'd like your help in deciding where this money should go.
As Maxwell explains: It's not a fortune, but it's more money than AT has ever given away. And, because there are so many wonderful non-profits signed up with 1%, it's very difficult to decide who should receive our donation.
Here's how we hope you can help.
Please take a few moments to browse through the long list of non-profits at 1% For The Planet, then, in the comments nominate the non-profit that you would like to see receive our donation.
Sometime next week, we'll ask you to vote on the top nominees in order to make the final decision.
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The Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
Because:
They raise money to buy tracts of old growth forest as well as second growth forest that surrounds the old growth tract. Currently, they are working on Pine Mountain Legacy Project which is one of the largest level protection projects ever undertaken in Kentucky. It spans five counties in Kentucky as well as part of Virginia (over 110 miles and 151,000 acres) This will protect a VERY IMPORTANT migragtory corridor from Virginia to Tennessee.
I wish that savesaltspringrainforest.com was on the list. It's a new organization trying to buy about 20 acres of rainforest on an island in BC(Saltspring Island) If you check out their website you can see the amazing pics of the land and why it's so important to the island and the planet. They need to raise $375000 more in order to buy the land from developers. Perhaps they could be added to 1% list and apartment therapy can swoop in and make a big ol' donation!
those sound so good but how about habitat for humanity? AT is about making your home healthy and beatiful ... it seems like a good match!
Wow, that's a lot of non-profits to choose from! I honestly didn't look through the whole list, I just looked through sections I have an interest in. But I'd agree with Habitat for Humanity, because it's a group with proven results, is relevant to the Apartment Therapy sites, and builds community as well as houses.
I vote for the Gulf Restoration Network. The gulf wetlands are an important natural barrier that significantly slow down hurricanes before they reach inlying areas. Their erosions makes hurricanes even more dangerous. Saving the wetlands helps people, animals and the earth! It's good for everyone.
Thanks everyone for sharing all your knowledge of these non profits with us! I look forward to us choosing someone with your help and keeping it all in the family.
I nominate the Mono Lake Committee. They protect precious water resources in California. Lets face it, locally at the grassroots is wehre you can really make a difference, and they really do! Although the Mono Lake Committee focuses on Mono Lake, they have helped fight water conservation and public trust battles that make an impact on the whole state and even country!
I gotta say, I don't think Habitat for Humanity would be that good of a cause. Habitat does great work, but unless you have some resources and money, you can't get a Habitat House. They help low-income people, but those who are most destitute are not helped by Habitat.
I think the 1% thing is great though!
Yea! It's fun to be a part of something so positive.
I nominate Habitat for Humanity for focus on green building projects. I toured a micro-neighborhood in St. Paul, MN that was built on a track of land that would have otherwise been left to waste, and it included a lot of green ideas that make great strides over what the vast majority of builders do. And the more we can encourage it, the more word gets out (all the volunteers get exposure to these great ideas), the easier it will be for these things to become mainstream.--besides the fact that the housing stock they just added included many green choices.
Although I agree with supapfunk that it would be better if we could help destitute people with housing, I think what a Habitat community (especially when it's more than one house at a time as the St. Paul mini-neighborhood was...which is much greener in the building process) does for those families as well as the surrounding community is awesome. And the hope it brings to those families is awesome as well.
And above all, we're a housing blog!