Home »
News & Trends »
Featured Articles

Endangered Species Chocolate

A company name like Endangered Species Chocolate, says Wayne Zink, CEO of the Indianapolis-based chocolate maker, essentially tells the consumer “‘when you buy me, you’re doing something to help the planet,’ and that brand promise needs to have life.” Since the company’s inception in 1993, it has fulfilled this promise by donating 10 percent of net profits to 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations that support ESC’s mission of bringing balance between habitat, humanity and species.
In 2007, the company formalized the 10 percent Give Back program by focusing its charitable donations on two organizations at a time over a two-year period. ESC also agreed to give each partner at least $25,000 each year ($50,000 over the two-year contract) if 10 percent of net sales fell below this amount. After a thorough application process—including a detailed account of the organization’s geographic impact and an established plan on how funds will be used—the applicants are narrowed down to six finalists and the ESC staff chooses the two that are selected. The African Wildlife Foundation and the Ocean Conservancy were named the 2009 partners.

Adding to its philanthropic portfolio, ESC launched the Endangered Species Chocolate Foundation in January of this year. Its first initiative, Project Ecuador, is raising funds to purchase cacao trees for a group of farmers in Ecuador. In 18 months, Zink explains, “each tree planted will triple their ability to harvest a cacao crop and will eventually lead to sewer installations, educational materials for children and access to medical care.” Funds from its first fundraiser and a private grant have already amounted to $65,000 for the farmers and the Foundation’s goal is to raise $700,000 in the next five years, says Zink.

ESC has also taken the idea of “Fair Trade” to the next level, which Zink calls, “Ethical Trade.” Fair Trade certification ensures that a premium is paid for services, but ESC’s Ethical Trade initiative involves being on-site to see how that premium is spent. “When you’re on the ground,” says Zink, “you see that there are barriers between the farmer and true sustainability.” By taking the time to personally oversee its cacao producers, ESC makes certain that the farmers have what they need.

Click here to see four other companies that give.