About EarthShare

To engage individuals and organizations in creating a healthy and sustainable environment.

EarthShare is committed to making support of our environment as easy as possible by giving you simple, effective ways to donate to the environmental and conservation charities you care about. The EarthShare Difference: you don't have to choose between supporting public health or our air, water, land or wildlife because one gift can support them all!

Founded by its member charities in 1988, EarthShare is an opportunity for environmentally-conscious employees and workplaces to support hundreds of environmental groups through workplace payroll contribution campaigns. EarthShare participates in campaigns at hundreds of public and privates sector workplaces.

Today EarthShare represents and supports more than 400 of America's most respected environmental and conservation charities, including 39 national organizations and hundreds of local groups in 18 affiliate states. EarthShare's member organizations work hard every day to safeguard your health and the environment by combating global warming, protecting ancient forests, protecting our water from toxic contaminants, saving endangered species and so much more. All of these efforts are supported by EarthShare's mission.

Our goal is to be your trusted and proven way to give to America's most respected environmental and conservation charities, whether it's through your workplace or online. You can feel good about your decision to give through EarthShare. EarthShare practices financial transparency and earned the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance Accredited Charity ranking. A BBB accredited charity is an organization that meets all 20 of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability based on a review of information and materials.

Our Summary of Financial Activities, Conflict of Interest Policy, and our Guidestar financial profile and 990s are available for public review. (search "EarthShare").

How does EarthShare work?
EarthShare manages workplace giving campaigns for its national environmental charities and raises critical funds for them. In EarthShare's payroll contribution drives at the workplace, employees may pledge a small amount of each paycheck to help solve environmental problems. EarthShare also distributes online donations to its member charities.

Why workplace giving?
There are several important reasons that so many people choose to give through EarthShare at their workplace:

• Rather than write one big check to your favorite charity each year that may really wallop your wallet, you can support your favorite charities throughout the year in small, painless increments via your paycheck!
• Because it's so painless to give this way, people tend to give more generously.
• Unlike other donations, funds raised through workplace giving are unrestricted, meaning your favorite charities are free to apply them where they're MOST needed.

You can learn more about the benefits of workplace giving here.

What causes can I support through EarthShare?
With EarthShare you don't have to choose between supporting public health or our air, water, land or wildlife. EarthShare's member charities represent a wide array of environmental issues and one general donation to EarthShare can touch all of these causes. On the other hand, if you have a preference you may direct your gift to one or more specific member organizations. The choice is yours.

How much of my donation goes to the member charities?
EarthShare has one of the lowest overheads of any comparable federation. Only 4.9% of our budget goes to administrative and fundraising costs; the remainder, 95.1%, goes directly to support our member charities. Overhead rates vary from state to state for campaigns including EarthShare's state affiliates.

How does EarthShare qualify its member charities?
EarthShare requires applicant organizations to meet 17 different criteria before they're considered for membership. Our strict eligibility criteria were established so donors could be sure EarthShare  represents outstanding charities that operate with the highest possible ethical and professional standards. All current members undergo annual reviews to ensure their continued adherence to our membership requirements.

What's next - how do I get involved?
You can help introduce EarthShare to your U.S.-based workplace! We are here to help you, whether you're an employee or employer. Just contact us at info@earthshare.org or at 800.875.3863. Or, if you'd like to help now, you can make a tax-deductible, secure online donation to the charity or charities of your choice!