EarthShare Knowledge Center
What Is EarthShare’s History with Environmental Philanthropy?
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Knowledge Center > Getting Started with EarthShare > What Is EarthShare’s History with Environmental Philanthropy?
Getting Started with EarthShare
- What Is EarthShare?
- What Are EarthShare Affiliates?
- What Are EarthShare Nonprofit Partners?
- What Are EarthShare Sponsored Projects?
- What Is the EarthShare Giving Platform?
- What Is EarthShare’s History with Environmental Philanthropy?
EarthShare was founded in 1988 to address the underrepresentation of environmental philanthropy opportunities in workplace giving campaigns across the United States. As a federation (union of organizations) representing many of the country’s most prominent environmental nonprofits, EarthShare increased nonprofit options for donors in major workplace campaigns across America, including World Bank and the Combined Federal Campaign; a campaign that raises tens of millions of dollars for charity every year.
In 1992, EarthShare launched one of history’s largest environmental public service media campaigns, informing the public about how to build a better environment with America’s most respected conservation charities. The PSA videos featured narration by actor, Harrison Ford.
EarthShare in the Present
For nearly 40 years, EarthShare has mobilized millions of employees and more than half a billion dollars in donations for environmental causes. Today, we’ve expanded our Nonprofit Partner network to include more than 500 groups working at the local, regional, national, and international scale, steering these benefits toward even more communities.
EarthShare now brings environmental awareness and fundraising tools to an even wider audience through three core program areas: workplace giving campaign services, fiscal sponsorship for mission-aligned environmental projects, and a bespoke donor-advised fund for users who want to sustainably align their charitable giving. We work closely with nonprofits, businesses, public agencies, consumers, and other philanthropic and professional networks to elevate environmental philanthropy and make it easier for everyone, from employees to family foundations, to support the causes they love and do good for the planet at the same time.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
EarthShare is a nonprofit organization that makes environmental giving easier for individuals, businesses, financial advisors, and nonprofit organizations. Through donor-advised funds, workplace giving, fiscal sponsorship, and charitable giving solutions, EarthShare helps connect donors with trusted nonprofits working to protect people and the planet.
Yes. EarthShare is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing environmental philanthropy and supporting organizations that address conservation, climate change, clean water, wildlife protection, environmental justice, and other critical environmental issues.
Depending on the giving option you choose, you can recommend grants to more than 1.5 million eligible U.S. nonprofits, including hundreds of environmental organizations working locally, nationally, and globally.
EarthShare offers flexible giving options that make charitable giving simple and tax-efficient. Donors can open a donor-advised fund, participate in workplace giving programs, support nonprofit organizations through employer campaigns, and create long-term philanthropic plans.
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that allows you to make tax-deductible contributions, invest those funds for potential growth, and recommend grants to eligible nonprofits over time. Learn more about donor-advised funds.
Workplace giving is a charitable program offered by employers that allows employees to donate to nonprofit organizations through payroll deductions, matching gifts, volunteer programs, or company-sponsored fundraising campaigns.
Fiscal sponsorship allows charitable projects that do not have their own 501(c)(3) status to operate under the legal and tax-exempt umbrella of an established nonprofit like EarthShare. This enables projects to receive tax-deductible donations while benefiting from administrative, financial, and compliance support.
EarthShare serves individual donors, businesses, financial advisors, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and mission-driven projects looking to support environmental causes or expand their charitable impact.
EarthShare offers multiple giving options, expert philanthropic guidance, and access to a broad network of nonprofit organizations. Whether you’re making a single donation or developing a long-term giving strategy, EarthShare helps simplify charitable giving while maximizing your impact.
You can get started by exploring EarthShare’s giving options, opening a donor-advised fund, participating in a workplace giving program, applying for fiscal sponsorship, or learning more about the nonprofit organizations and causes EarthShare supports.