Our 2023 1% for the Planet beneficiaries

Despite their vital work to prevent and mitigate the climate crisis and other environmental threats, environmental nonprofits receive just 2% of charitable dollars annually in the US. That’s why, two years ago, DG+ joined the 1% for the Planet community.

Through this commitment, we donate 1% of our gross sales each year to vetted environmental nonprofits working to address pressing issues around the world. The 1% for the Planet organization helps certify donations, advise businesses on giving strategies, and amplify the collective impact of its global network. Any organization can join.

While the DG+ team’s contributions may be relatively small compared to some larger community members, we follow a formal and intentional giving process. Each full-time employee selects a nonprofit organization to support, and our total annual donation is split evenly among those organizations.

There’s a long-standing environmental advocacy belief that people protect what they love. This year’s nonprofits reflect that idea. While varied in mission and approach, they all share one thing in common: the geographic regions they serve hold personal meaning for the DG+ team members who selected them.

Below are our beneficiaries.

Capital Roots

Mission Statement

Capital Roots works to reduce the impact of poor nutrition on public health in New York’s Capital Region by organizing community gardens, providing healthy food access, offering nutritional and horticultural education for all ages, and coordinating urban greening programs in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and southern Saratoga Counties.

Why We Chose Them

"This year it was important to me to select a hyperlocal organization in my area. I chose Capital Roots because of my familiarity with their community-based initiatives and their deep commitment to food justice. Their work makes fresh, healthy, and locally sourced food accessible to everyone." - Melissa Stafford

Location

Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and southern Saratoga Counties, New York

FLOW (For Love of Water)

Mission Statement

FLOW’s mission is to ensure the waters of the Great Lakes Basin are healthy, public, and protected for all.

Why We Chose Them

I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and will always be a fierce advocate for the Great Lakes. These waters account for 85% of the US freshwater supply and 20% of the planet’s surface freshwater, yet they face constant threats from private interests.

"Based in my hometown of Traverse City, Michigan, FLOW uses the rule of law and the public trust doctrine to protect the Great Lakes. Founded and run by environmental lawyers, the organization also works to include communities that have historically been excluded from water policy decisions, advocating for equitable and sustainable access to water." - Barbara Weber

As FLOW puts it, “Water is our common heritage.”

Location

Headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan, with work spanning the Great Lakes region

Friends of the San Juans

Mission Statement

Friends of the San Juans works to preserve the beauty, character, and wildness of the San Juan Islands. Their goals include protecting shorelines, marine ecosystems, forests, farmlands, freshwater, prairie habitats, and supporting thriving, sustainable communities through science-based decision-making, advocacy, and partnerships.

Why We Chose Them

"My family has a place on Lopez Island, where I spent my childhood exploring beaches, forests, and tide pools. It’s where I truly fell in love with nature. As tourism has increased over the years, so has pressure on the islands’ delicate ecosystems. Friends of the San Juans was formed by people who love the islands and want to ensure their beauty is preserved for generations to come." - Kathleen Gill

Location

Friday Harbor, Washington (San Juan Islands)

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO)

Mission Statement

Founded by public school parents in the mid-1990s, LVEJO works to address environmental and public health threats in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. Their work has included shutting down coal plants, remediating Superfund sites, and advocating for cleaner air, water, and transportation.

Why We Chose Them

"I wanted my donation to have a local impact, and LVEJO has played a major role in improving environmental and community health in Little Village. I admire their holistic approach to environmental justice, organizing for cleaner air, water, public transit, and equitable community development." - Gavin Chisholm

Location

Little Village neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois

Living Lands & Waters

Mission Statement

Living Lands & Waters works to protect, preserve, and restore the nation’s major rivers and their watersheds.

Why We Chose Them

"I grew up in the Midwest surrounded by lakes and rivers, especially the Mississippi. I’ve seen firsthand how pollution harms freshwater ecosystems and wildlife. Cleaning up these rivers is difficult work, and I deeply respect Living Lands & Waters for taking it on and creating real, measurable impact." - Mary Duncan-Sain

Location

Headquartered in East Moline, Illinois, with work across the Mississippi River and the Midwest

Sempervirens Fund

Mission Statement

Founded in 1900, Sempervirens Fund works to protect and restore redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Since its founding, the organization has protected more than 36,000 acres through public parks, private land conservation, and sustainably managed forests.

Why We Chose Them

"I first experienced the Santa Cruz redwoods when I moved there for college and was immediately humbled by their scale and beauty. Sempervirens Fund does critical work protecting these ancient trees, some more than 1,000 years old, and pioneering innovative land management approaches to ensure these forests thrive for generations." - Julianne Waite

Location

Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Shenandoah National Park Trust

Mission Statement

The Shenandoah National Park Trust is the official philanthropic partner of Shenandoah National Park, supporting efforts to protect wildlife, advance research, and enhance education and preservation initiatives.

Why We Chose Them

"Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley, many of my earliest outdoor experiences happened in the park. From Skyline Drive to Old Rag and the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah shaped my love of nature. Supporting a geographically focused nonprofit like the Shenandoah National Park Trust felt like a meaningful way to give back." - David Ganske

Location

Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia (based in Charlottesville, Virginia)

SoundWaters

Mission Statement

SoundWaters is dedicated to protecting Long Island Sound and its surrounding watershed through education, science, and research programs that inspire environmental stewardship across all ages.

Why We Chose Them

"Our contribution supports both environmental protection and education. SoundWaters provides hands-on learning opportunities, conducts scientific research and monitoring, and informs policies that safeguard the ecological health of Long Island Sound." - Mel Phillips

Location

Stamford, Connecticut (Long Island Sound)

Get Involved

If your business is interested in learning more about 1% for the Planet, knows an environmental organization that could benefit from the network, or wants to make a one-time donation, we encourage you to connect with them directly and explore how you can get involved.