Purchasing
With Purpose
Our economy is a human system. It’s based on stories and social rules that we create, and these stories and rules can change over time. Our current economy is based on a 20th century story that prioritized profit over human wellbeing and the natural world.
That story isn’t working for the majority of people in the United States. It’s harming our health, our families, our communities, our environment, and our ability to work together to make important decisions. It’s contributed to rising insecurity and deep fear about the future. The situation can feel overwhelming.
People And Planet First
It can be difficult to buy from businesses that put people and the planet first in the US because the movement has emerged bottom-up and different terminology is used in different networks, regions, and sectors. There can also be real issues with socialwashing and greenwashing.
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Purpose:
They exist to solve a social or environmental problem
Revenue:
They have a self-sustaining revenue model
Structure:
They choose legal structures and financing that protect and lock-in purpose long term
Operations:
They prioritize purpose, people, and planet over profit in operational
decisions
Use of Surplus:
They reinvest the majority of any surplus towards their purpose
Networks
Purchasing with Purpose brings together national, regional, and local networks of businesses that put people and the planet first. By focusing on shared values and standards, we are able to work across traditional divides and open up opportunities that no single network or organization could open on its own.
Many network partners have additional criteria, for example, they might collect details on democratic governance, community ownership, stakeholder diversity, supply chains, or impact measurement. This diversity is recognized and celebrated.
Visibility and Search
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Verification through network partners
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Searchable national and local directories
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Online tools for easy sourcing
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Integrations with existing platforms
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Support services for procurement teams
Collective Action
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Mobilizing supporters
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Joint campaigns
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Support for events
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Case studies and best practices
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Shared training materials, policy templates, and tools
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Local Projects
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Engage local stakeholders
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Map and verify businesses
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Onboard local buyers
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Organize local campaigns
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Learn from other regions
What We Do
We focus on purchasing because it is a way that everyone can get involved. Every time we choose products and services from businesses that put people and planet first, we are directly contributing to social and environmental solutions with a self-sustaining model.
By shifting our purchases, we can help create employment and good working conditions for people in need, build community wealth and resilient local economies, turn waste into resources, stop animal cruelty, increase biodiversity, capture carbon, transition to renewable energy, and address local challenges affecting our communities.
Purchasing with Purpose works with other purchasing initiatives like supplier diversity and buy local campaigns as allies to complement and expand their work. Together, we can help individuals and institutional buyers find diverse, local suppliers that also reinvest profits to address social and environmental problems.
Get In Touch
Do you want to purchase with purpose in your own home or workplace?
Do you work with a business that puts people and planet first?
Are you part of a network of businesses that meet the 5 standards?
Are you involved in purchasing or procurement in your organization?
Do you want to start a Purchasing with Purpose program in your local community?
Enter your name, email address, and a message to receive updates on new developments or set up a call.