Plant With Purpose 
The information on this page was last updated 10/17/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Plant With Purpose works at the nexus of poverty and environmental degradation to transform the lives and land of farming communities through environmental restoration, economic empowerment, and spiritual renewal. Founded in 1984, Plant With Purpose is a Christian nonprofit that catalyzes the talent and ingenuity of farming families to transform entire watersheds. Of people living in poverty worldwide, up to 83% live in rural areas (UNDP and OPHI 2022). Most struggle to grow enough food to feed their families and send their children to school. Plant With Purpose equips impoverished farming families to change their circumstances and land and to live with hope. We do this through sustainable agriculture training, land restoration, savings-and-loan groups, and local leadership development.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Plant With Purpose
4747 Morena Blvd.
Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92117-2117
Website: www.plantwithpurpose.org
Phone: (858) 274-3718
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 330052976
CEO/President: Scott Sabin
Chairman: John Steel
Board size: 12
Founder: Tom Woodard
Ruling year: 1984
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1991
Purpose
Plant With Purpose facilitates a holistic community development model that integrates economic empowerment, environmental restoration, and spiritual development through sustainable agriculture training, reforestation, savings groups called Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs), local leadership development, and church mobilization. Plant With Purpose operates programs to serve rural farming families facing poverty in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Haiti, Malawi, Mexico, Tanzania, and Thailand. Overall, participating families see a 55% reduction in poverty.
Economic empowerment is achieved through community-led Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) where groups of 15 to 30 members meet to save income, take out loans, and contribute to a social fund. Access to these rural financial services leads to improved livelihoods, increased education for children, and financial resilience. The groups also provide a forum for teaching sustainable agriculture techniques and for developing faith and a sense of community. VSLA groups rely on intensive training to create sustainability. In the first year, trained staff members work closely with groups. Facilitators then regularly perform quarterly monitoring and oversee the end-of-cycle audit. In the words of partnering farmer Felicite from Burundi, "Before, we were in extreme poverty and hopeless to have credit. As soon as I joined my savings group, everything changed." Plant With Purpose partners who have participated for three or more years are twice as likely to be actively saving cash as nonparticipants (95% vs 48%). Participants have 2.5 times as much savings in reserve as nonparticipants.
Environmental restoration is achieved through teaching sustainable agriculture techniques and through tree planting campaigns. A multi-year environmental core curriculum covers topics such as composting, agroforestry, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, and whole ecosystem health. Partnering farmers and schools plant millions of trees, including native species as well as non-native species that benefit the community (e.g. trees for fruit and fodder). Sustainable agriculture techniques increase farm yields by 37% and crop diversity by 40%, allowing families to eat healthier and improve their farms. Partnering farmer Anastazie from the DRC explains the impact of Plant With Purpose training, "Before receiving training, production was low, bringing in little income, but now we are beginning to see good results. Before, my children ate once a day, but now my house eats two meals a day." In addition to increased farm yield, Plant With Purpose's environmental restoration program is transforming the land. While most rural communities see vegetation decrease each year due to deforestation, participant communities see this trend reverse and vegetation increase over the course of several years. As tree cover increases, flora and fauna return, water supplies regulate, and carbon is sequestered from the air. Amidst a changing climate, these efforts to restore the environment have increased the resilience of rural farmers and the land they call home.
Spiritual renewal is realized through leadership training and through church partnerships and mobilization. These efforts increase a strong commitment to community and reconciliation and have resulted in an increased sense of confidence, self-worth, and faith. Participating families are 10% more likely to agree with the statement, "I have the ability to improve my life." 95% of participants say they, "feel pride in the work they do now." Further, participants are 14% more likely to agree with the statement, "Members of my community work together to change things that are wrong in my community."
As a means to ensure effective programs, regular monitoring and evaluation activities are prioritized by both in-country staff and by North American staff members. Quarterly metrics and yearly strategic planning in each country ensure short-term success and allow for mid-year improvements as needed. Annually, field programs participate in a self-evaluation process, seeking feedback from participants on impacts and needed improvements. Larger, triennial impact evaluations measure success on outcomes through participatory workshops, analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), quantitative household surveys, Difference-in-Differences, and other techniques. Plant With Purpose has also piloted a number of novel monitoring techniques and continues to pursue best-in-class practices in evidence-based development work. Plant With Purpose measures effectiveness against baseline indicators, and program staff can adjust activities based on determined strengths and weaknesses.
Mission statement
Plant with Purpose, a Christian nonprofit organization, reverses deforestation and poverty around the world by transforming the lives of the rural poor.
Statement of faith
We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God created the heavens and the earth; and, made humans in God's image, to be in loving relationship with God and to be stewards of all that God had made. (Genesis 1-2)
Although humans were created to be in loving relationship with God, each other and all creation; in our sin and disobedience, we rebelled against God. As a result, our fellowship with God was broken, and all of creation was subject to the effects of human sin. (Genesis 3)
We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, begotten not made. Christ came into the world to reconcile humanity to God. Through his teaching and actions Jesus demonstrated the power and presence of the kingdom of God: justice, healing, hope, and mercy. Although sinless, Jesus obediently suffered unto death, paying the penalty for human sin in order to reconcile humanity and all creation to God. (I Peter 3:18; Romans 8) Through his resurrection he triumphed over death. God offers us salvation and reconciliation by grace through faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. (John 3) We believe Jesus will return in glory and restore all things to himself. (Revelation 21: 1-5)
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the presence of Christ, who leads people to repentance, restores those who respond in faith, and guides us as we seek to live faithful lives that honor God. (John 14: 26; Romans 8: 14-17)
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The Bible is the story of God's ongoing relationship with his creation, covenants and saving work.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers through our Lord Jesus Christ. The church is the world-wide community of followers of Jesus, with equality across race, gender and class differences. (Galatians 3:16) God calls us to be united in faith to do the work of the Kingdom of God on earth. This includes proclaiming the gospel in word and deed by making disciples of all people (Matthew 25: 31-46; Matthew 28: 16-20) and working together for the renewal of God's creation. (e.g., Acts 3:21; Romans 8: 18-21)
We believe Jesus will return in glory to complete the work of restoring and renewing God's creation, and that followers of Jesus will live eternally with God. (Isaiah 11:1-9)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 950 of 1104 | 75 of 88 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 961 of 1105 | 76 of 88 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 875 of 1105 | 70 of 88 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 568 of 1104 | 52 of 88 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 10% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 13% | 12% | 13% | 10% | 6% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 15% | 14% | 12% | 12% | 11% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 78% | 78% | 79% | 81% | 81% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 97% | 88% | 88% | 110% | 85% | 52% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 69% | 68% | 87% | 69% | 42% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 3% | 12% | 12% | -10% | 15% | 48% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 6% | 17% | 16% | -10% | 17% | 92% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 6% | 7% | 8% | 9% | 7% | 8% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.51 | 1.27 | 1.14 | 1.11 | 0.90 | 0.99 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.23 | 1.02 | 1.02 | 1.02 | 1.02 | 1.02 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.89 | 1.29 | 1.16 | 1.13 | 0.91 | 1.01 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 17.01 | 19.44 | 28.10 | 40.27 | 42.71 | 46.04 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.82 | 8.80 | 9.95 | 10.32 | 12.81 | 11.65 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 5% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 60% | 75% | 85% | 87% | 109% | 99% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $4,086,847 | $3,577,578 | $2,361,269 | $1,670,264 | $1,008,776 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $2,848,528 | $2,024,136 | $2,312,525 | $3,448,062 | $3,231,731 |
| Short-term investments | $28,307 | $28,307 | $28,307 | $28,307 | $28,307 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $6,963,682 | $5,630,021 | $4,702,101 | $5,146,633 | $4,268,814 |
| Long-term investments | $74,880 | $83,274 | $66,353 | $67,263 | $66,348 |
| Fixed assets | $42,005 | $36,271 | $31,093 | $25,949 | $16,400 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $7,017 | $8,814 |
| Total long-term assets | $116,885 | $119,545 | $97,446 | $100,229 | $91,562 |
| Total assets | $7,080,567 | $5,749,566 | $4,799,547 | $5,246,862 | $4,360,376 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $358,173 | $200,385 | $116,766 | $120,504 | $92,719 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $358,173 | $200,385 | $116,766 | $120,504 | $92,719 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $31,247 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $31,247 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $358,173 | $200,385 | $148,013 | $120,504 | $92,719 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $3,545,605 | $3,114,618 | $2,294,099 | $1,479,284 | $918,841 |
| With donor restrictions | $3,176,789 | $2,434,563 | $2,357,435 | $3,647,074 | $3,348,816 |
| Net assets | $6,722,394 | $5,549,181 | $4,651,534 | $5,126,358 | $4,267,657 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $10,215,775 | $7,422,728 | $4,832,566 | $5,546,886 | $8,207,601 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($60,605) | $26,100 | $23,192 | $20,854 | $2,886 |
| Other revenue | $26,288 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,340 |
| Total other revenue | ($34,317) | $26,100 | $23,192 | $20,854 | $6,226 |
| Total revenue | $10,181,458 | $7,448,828 | $4,855,758 | $5,567,740 | $8,213,827 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $7,061,202 | $5,079,616 | $4,218,460 | $3,825,944 | $3,490,659 |
| Management and general | $637,585 | $542,282 | $467,013 | $331,933 | $350,816 |
| Fundraising | $1,309,458 | $929,283 | $645,162 | $551,162 | $461,888 |
| Total expenses | $9,008,245 | $6,551,181 | $5,330,635 | $4,709,039 | $4,303,363 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,173,213 | $897,647 | ($474,877) | $858,701 | $3,910,464 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,173,213 | $897,647 | ($474,877) | $858,701 | $3,910,464 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Scott Sabin | CEO & President | $152,943 |
| Paul Thompson | Chief Operating Officer | $136,816 |
| Robert Morikawa | Senior Director, Innovation Lab | $107,631 |
| Kristen Kreitzer | VP of Admin & Finance | $103,228 |
| Christi Renaud | VP of Marketing & Development | $99,851 |
| Doug Satre | Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships | $98,399 |
| Josh Kyallo | V.P. of International Programs | $40,069 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2022
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 10/17/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Plant With Purpose was founded in 1984 because of the direct link between poverty and the environment. The founder, Tom Woodard, was working for a relief organization in the Dominican Republic. Despite their best efforts to help those in need, food aid was not providing a long-term solution to hunger and poverty. Tom sought a way to address root causes and discerned the close connection between deforestation and rural poverty. The vast majority of families experiencing poverty are subsistence farmers and depend on the land for their survival. Therefore, any long-term solution to rural poverty would have to take into account how deforestation diminishes the ability of small-scale farmers to grow crops. As deforestation leads to smaller yields, families are left with less food and less opportunity to earn an income. The team came to understand that poverty had to be addressed from the ground up because handouts and food aid would never be enough to address the root causes of rural poverty. Plant With Purpose, originally called Floresta USA, was founded to bring a holistic approach to the fight against poverty that integrates environmental, economic, and spiritual solutions. We believe that this three-part approach is the key to creating lasting, sustainable change. Since those hopeful beginnings in the Dominican Republic, Plant With Purpose has expanded its program to walk alongside rural communities in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania, and Thailand.
Program accomplishments
Plant With Purpose works in over 1,200 communities with over 84,000 families worldwide in 62 subwatersheds. Our programs impact over 478,000 children and adults. We catalyze indigenous farming families to affect change in their communities. Together, we have planted over 60 million trees, sequestering carbon through sustainable agriculture and reforestation and transforming entire watersheds. Flora and fauna return, water sources regulate, and land is restored. Together we have formed over 4,100 local community-led savings groups which have over $12.2 million in equity, without added outside capital. Women make up 62% of group participants which shows changing attitudes towards women and their contributions in typically male-dominated social structures. Together we are fostering over 1,100 church partnerships and providing leadership training and support. Overall, participating families see a 55% reduction in poverty.
The future of Plant With Purpose and our partners is bright. Our 2025 goal is to work with over 750,000 people in 89 watersheds globally, restoring these watersheds through sustainable agriculture and reforestation and reversing rural poverty for families in these areas.
Needs
Of people living in poverty worldwide, up to 83% live in rural areas (UNDP and OPHI 2022) where environmental degradation is a primary culprit of their poverty. Many of these farmers rely on agriculture as their main source of food and income, yet they are farming the land that no one else wants. Soil degradation causes poor crop production, and deforestation leads to erosion and damaged farms, especially for families living on hillsides. This damage and erosion further contributes to reduced crop production and, in turn, food scarcity. Desperate to earn some income, farmers turn to cutting trees in order to sell the wood, further exacerbating the problem.
In addition, many farmers, particularly women, lack employment opportunities and access to formal financial services. A lack of fair access to loans or effective tools to manage cash flows means that any emergency or disaster will cause a family to fall further into poverty.
Combined, these factors lead to severe poverty traps. Parents struggle to feed their families, send their children to school, and purchase tools for their farms, meaning they do not invest in their futures. Farmers faced with poverty often turn to cutting trees to make charcoal for income or for clearing land for agriculture, further exacerbating environmental degradation and ultimately worsening poverty.