One of my core reasons for being, in business and in life, is to improve the health of people, animals and our planet.
As part of accomplishing this, I give 5% of the revenues for each of my programs to charities that are in line with my values.
I put a lot of thought into choosing organizations that are aligned with my standards and objectives, to which I contribute money and time (listed alphabetically, not in order of awesomeness because there is no scale on which to measure them comparatively):
Charity:Water. “When a community gets access to clean water, it can change just about everything. It can improve health, increase access to food, grow local economies, and help kids spend more time in school.” They’ve funded 20,062 water projects in 24 countries so far.
Diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. 43% of those deaths are children under five years old. Access to clean water and basic sanitation can save around 16,000 lives every week.
Clean water helps keep kids in school, especially girls. In Africa alone, women spend 40 billion hours a year walking for water. Women are responsible for 72% of the water collected in Sub-Saharan Africa. When a community gets water, women and girls get their lives back. They start businesses, improve their homes, and take charge of their own futures.
I donate my birthday, and cleanse registrations are linked to charity:water.
The David Suzuki Foundation‘s mission is to protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life, now and for the future. Their vision is that within a generation, people act on the understanding that we are all interconnected and interdependent with nature. Their top goals are to protect our climate, create livable communities, establish environmental rights and justice, transform the economy, connect with nature, and build community.
My meal plan programs are linked to the David Suzuki Foundation.
Farm Sanctuary‘s mission is to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living. They work through rescue, public education, and advocacy efforts. John Stewart and his wife recently aligned their mission with Farm Sanctuary, which adds a definite cool-factor. Emily Deschanel is another celebrity member of their board, and works directly in their fundraising.
My online cooking classes are linked to Farm Sanctuary.
Greenpeace is the largest independent, direct action environmental organization in the world. They defend the natural world and promote peace by investigating, exposing and confronting environmental abuse, championing environmentally responsible solutions, and advocating for the rights and well-being of all people. Their campaigns include: Saving the Arctic, Protecting Forests, Fighting Global Warming, Protecting Our Oceans, Living Toxic-Free, Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Defending Democracy
My books and online workshops are linked to Greenpeace.
The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in more than 35 countries, all 50 states and your backyard. Their mission: conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. The Conservancy is a world leader in cutting-edge conservation science with 550 staff scientists around the globe. Their campaigns include: Protecting Water, Action on Climate Change, Saving Oceans, Conserving Land, Transforming Cities
My Baby Steps program is linked to the Nature Conservancy.
The Terry Fox Foundation has a single mission: to fund innovative cancer research.
Terry Fox was 19 years old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1977 and had his leg amputated. Terry was so overcome by seeing the suffering of other cancer patients that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
He ran an average of 42 kilometres (26 miles) every day for 143 days with one leg and one artificial leg (which was not adapted for running). He called his journey the Marathon of Hope.
Terry was forced to end his run on September 1, 1980 when the cancer spread to his lungs. Terry died in June 1981. His dream continues with an annual Terry Fox fundraising run in cities across Canada and internationally.
My runners’ workshop is linked to The Terry Fox Foundation.