Reflections from my conversation with Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet
Why 1%—and why now?
This is the question I explore with Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, in our latest Journey to Regeneration episode. We unpack how a simple, measurable commitment—giving 1% of top-line revenue—is reshaping corporate philanthropy and pushing companies beyond marketing claims toward real environmental impact. We dig into why tying giving to top line (not profits) changes corporate behavior, how rigorous vetting steers money to real impact, and how peer pressure inside the network nudges companies from checks to supply-chain change.
It’s a crisp, practical playbook for leaders who want credibility over slogans—and momentum over perfection.
What you’ll take away from listening to this episode:
The non-negotiable 1%: How tying giving to revenue, not profit, changes decisions—especially in down years.
Credibility over claims: What the 1% logo actually certifies (and what it doesn’t)—and why that matters for trust.
Find the right partners, fast: A clear way to choose nonprofits using four impact areas—without analysis paralysis.
When checks change products: The Sunski story—how feedback from grantees catalyzed plastic-free packaging and recycled frames.
Use the network: Events and peer pressure that turn a first donation into supply-chain shifts and bolder goals.
Momentum beats perfection: Kate’s two-step to start this week and keep going.
Listen to the full episode here:
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The regenerative business practices and sustainability innovations highlighted in this week’s Regenerative Insights directly tackle the critical issues of corporate responsibility explored in my recent book explored in my recent book, The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profit and Socializes Cost.