Plant With Purpose

The information on this page was last updated 4/16/2026. 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
5075 Shoreham Place
Suite 240
San Diego, CA 92122

Website: www.plantwithpurpose.org

Phone: (858) 274-3718

Email: [email protected]

Organization details

EIN: 330052976

CEO/President: Craig Jaggers

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

Together-Reversing rural poverty. Restoring watersheds. Renewing hope. Rooted in faith.

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)

Articles

4/21/2026Stewarding God's Creation

Donor confidence score

Show donor confidence score details

To understand our donor confidence score, click here.

Transparency grade

A

To understand our transparency grade, click here.

Financial efficiency ratings

Sector: Relief and Development

CategoryRatingOverall rankSector rank
Overall efficiency rating1155 of 135795 of 114
Fund acquisition rating1245 of 1357105 of 114
Resource allocation rating1152 of 135798 of 114
Asset utilization rating528 of 135946 of 114

To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.

Financial ratios

Funding ratiosSector median20242022202120202019
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts =
Fundraising expense /
Total contributions
6%16%13%13%13%10%
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio =
Fundraising expense /
Total revenue
5%16%13%12%13%10%
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance =
Total contributions /
Total revenue
98%100%100%100%100%100%
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio =
Fundraising expense /
Total expenses
5%18%15%14%12%12%
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance =
Total other revenue /
Total revenue
2%0%0%0%0%0%
 
Operating ratiosSector median20242022202120202019
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio =
Program services /
Total expenses
86%74%78%78%79%81%
Spending ratio Spending ratio =
Total expenses /
Total revenue
99%85%88%88%110%85%
Program output ratio Program output ratio =
Program services /
Total revenue
84%63%69%68%87%69%
Savings ratio Savings ratio =
Surplus (deficit) /
Total revenue
1%15%12%12%-10%15%
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate =
Surplus (deficit) /
Net assets
6%40%17%16%-10%17%
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio =
Management and general expense /
Total expenses
7%8%7%8%9%7%
 
Investing ratiosSector median20242022202120202019
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover =
Total expenses /
Total assets
1.561.961.271.141.110.90
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment =
Total assets /
Total current assets
1.161.031.021.021.021.02
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover =
Total expenses /
Total current assets
2.162.011.291.161.130.91
 
Liquidity ratiosSector median20242022202120202019
Current ratio Current ratio =
Total current assets /
Total current liabilities
10.508.5619.4428.1040.2742.71
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio =
Total current liabilities /
Total current assets
0.080.120.050.040.020.02
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level =
(Total current assets -
Total current liabilities) /
(Total expenses / 12)
4.425.268.809.9510.3212.81
 
Solvency ratiosSector median20242022202120202019
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio =
Total liabilities /
Total assets
9%12%5%3%3%2%
Debt ratio Debt ratio =
Debt /
Total assets
0%0%0%0%1%0%
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio =
Net assets /
Total expenses
53%45%75%85%87%109%

Financials

Balance sheet
 
Assets20242022202120202019
Cash$2,437,244$4,086,847$3,577,578$2,361,269$1,670,264
Receivables, inventories, prepaids$3,755,039$2,848,528$2,024,136$2,312,525$3,448,062
Short-term investments$0$28,307$28,307$28,307$28,307
Other current assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total current assets$6,192,283$6,963,682$5,630,021$4,702,101$5,146,633
Long-term investments$92,088$74,880$83,274$66,353$67,263
Fixed assets$38,599$42,005$36,271$31,093$25,949
Other long-term assets$34,045$0$0$0$7,017
Total long-term assets$164,732$116,885$119,545$97,446$100,229
Total assets$6,357,015$7,080,567$5,749,566$4,799,547$5,246,862
 
Liabilities20242022202120202019
Payables and accrued expenses$423,440$358,173$200,385$116,766$120,504
Other current liabilities$300,110$0$0$0$0
Total current liabilities$723,550$358,173$200,385$116,766$120,504
Debt$0$0$0$31,247$0
Due to (from) affiliates$0$0$0$0$0
Other long-term liabilities$36,751$0$0$0$0
Total long-term liabilities$36,751$0$0$31,247$0
Total liabilities$760,301$358,173$200,385$148,013$120,504
 
Net assets20242022202120202019
Without donor restrictions$2,018,731$3,545,605$3,114,618$2,294,099$1,479,284
With donor restrictions$3,577,983$3,176,789$2,434,563$2,357,435$3,647,074
Net assets$5,596,714$6,722,394$5,549,181$4,651,534$5,126,358
 
Revenues and expenses
 
Revenue20242022202120202019
Total contributions$14,674,449$10,215,775$7,422,728$4,832,566$5,546,886
Program service revenue$0$0$0$0$0
Membership dues$0$0$0$0$0
Investment income$23,390($60,605)$26,100$23,192$20,854
Other revenue$0$26,288$0$0$0
Total other revenue$23,390($34,317)$26,100$23,192$20,854
Total revenue$14,697,839$10,181,458$7,448,828$4,855,758$5,567,740
 
Expenses20242022202120202019
Program services$9,197,093$7,061,202$5,079,616$4,218,460$3,825,944
Management and general$999,027$637,585$542,282$467,013$331,933
Fundraising$2,279,284$1,309,458$929,283$645,162$551,162
Total expenses$12,475,404$9,008,245$6,551,181$5,330,635$4,709,039
 
Change in net assets20242022202120202019
Surplus (deficit)$2,222,435$1,173,213$897,647($474,877)$858,701
Other changes in net assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total change in net assets$2,222,435$1,173,213$897,647($474,877)$858,701

Compensation

NameTitleCompensation
Paul ThompsonChief Operating Officer$158,543
Scott SabinCEO & President$153,600
Milmer Martinez VergaraVice President of International Programs$121,749
Robert MorikawaSenior Director, Innovation Lab$118,646
Doug SatreSenior Director, Strategic Partnerships$112,191
Kristen KreitzerVice President of Finance & Administration$110,685
Rona Mana-ayDirector of Finance & Accounting$108,003
Corbyn SmallDirector of Development$102,511

Compensation data as of: 6/30/2024

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 4/16/2026. 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 with a highly vulnerable cross section of family farmers. We have a proven solution that empowers families to lift themselves out of poverty for good. We choose to work in areas where families rely on agriculture as their main source of income. Plant With Purpose walks alongside families within a whole watershed for 7-10 years. We teach a style of land management that increases farm yields, helping families eat better and earn more, while also restoring the fertility of their land and the health of the watershed over time. In our more than 40 years of operation, we have grown to serve more than 716,000 adults and children who benefit from Plant With Purpose pro grams in over 1,600 communities worldwide; more than 5,500 savings-and-loan groups established, equipping over 128,000 members to save and mobilize their own money to create economic well-being and a collective portfolio (savings plus circulating loans) of over $17 million; over 92 million trees planted to revitalize the land and provide economic opportunity; and over 1,400 partnering churches equipped to engage and encourage their communities through spiritual renewal, theology of work, and reconciliation training.

Plant With Purpose families cut their level of poverty by over half. Plant With Purpose families turned the trend of deforestation and are now restoring forest cover. Plant With Purpose families have 37% higher crop yield and are harvesting 31% more diverse crops. Plant With Purpose families are 44% more likely to send their girls to secondary school than non-participating families. Plant With Purpose families are applying 83% more regenerative agriculture techniques than non-participating families. Plant With Purpose partners who have participated for three or more years are two and a half times more likely to be actively saving cash as nonparticipants. Plant With Purpose partners are planting 8.5 times as many trees as nonparticipants.

Needs

Of people living in poverty worldwide, up to 83% live in rural areas (UNDP and OPHI 2022) where environmental degradation is a primary factor 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 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 means that any emergency or disaster will cause a family to fall further into poverty.

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