1% for the Planet and CapShift on growing climate philanthropy through impact investing, Ep #27

Nov 1, 2022

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Tackling climate change can’t be left to companies and governments. The nonprofit sector plays a crucial role in everything from research, education, conservation, helping communities cope with climate impacts and much more. There’s literally tens of thousands of environmental nonprofits, and almost all depend on philanthropy to do the vital work they do.

And yet, only a tiny fraction of global giving goes to climate. That’s part of why Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard set up an ambitious program called 1% for the Planet. The idea is simple really - companies donate 1% of their revenue to environmental nonprofits. Currently, over 5,000 companies have signed on.

Today’s episode focused on an innovative new initiative that aims to significantly grow 1% for the Planet’s fundraising. The Planet Impact Fund is a partnership between 1% for the Planet, the National Philanthropic Trust and impact investing enabler CapShift that leverages potential of investment returns to increase philanthropic support. I was joined by Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, and Jesse Simmons, a Managing Director at CapShift. Through our conversation, I learned a lot about climate philanthropy, impact investing, donor advised funds, and the importance of innovative partnerships that unlock more capital for climate. Hope you enjoy.

In today’s episode, we cover:

[3:51] What is 1% for the Planet & the problem they’re aiming to tackle
[5:16] How much capital is going into climate philanthropy
[11:11] What is CapShift & the problem they’re aiming to tackle
[12:30] CapShift’s traction & the amount of investments that they’re facilitating
[13:41] The Planet Impact Fund: A Partnership between 1% for the Planet & CapShift
[19:06] The donors & investors that the Planet Impact Fund is intended for
[22:13] The rise of intergenerational wealth transfer
[24:47] How investments are selected for the Planet Impact Fund
[26:17] How today’s investments are faring
[28:23] Nonprofit partners in Planet Impact Fund’s network
[31:47] The opportunity to create a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
[33:35] Addressing the criticism around DAFs
[36:17] Other ambitious partnerships around climate
[40:06] Learning across public-private partnerships
[42:31] Tips for anyone considering climate philanthropy & investing

1% for the Planet and CapShift on growing climate philanthropy through impact investing, Ep #27

In today’s episode, we cover:

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Kate Williams & Jesse Simmons

Connect With Jason Rissman