Buying

Every purchase we make is a choice about the kind of world we want to live in. This isn’t about consuming more, it’s about buying better and shifting our purchases to align with our values and our vision for the future.

When we choose to purchase products and services from enterprises that put people and the planet first, we directly contribute to solving the social and environmental issues we care about. 

There are enterprises focused on homelessness, addiction, the prison system, abuse survivors, human trafficking, women’s empowerment, plastic waste, the energy transition, circular economy innovations, ecosystem restoration, and so much more.

The revenue from our purchases enables these enterprises to continue their work, innovate, and expand their impact. It reduces dependency on restrictive grant funding. 

Most importantly, it channels funds into the emerging economy, where it can continue to circulate. Instead of being extracted and accumulated by a few, it is reinvested to benefit us all.

➤ Want to start shifting purchases in your own daily life or work? Check out the community directory and marketplaces.
 
➤ Do you know enterprises that put people and planet first that aren’t included yet? Encourage them to get involved.
 
➤ Want to create a strong local economy that puts people and planet first? Join or start a local purchasing initiative in your area.
 

➤ Do you work in procurement, sustainability, or impact? Take a masterclass and join the impact peer community.

➤ Are you part of a workplace, faith community, school, university or other institution that might be interested in purchasing with purpose? Talk to us about custom services to make it easier.

Purchasing with Purpose Gift Card

Purchasing with Purpose gift cards are great for employee recognition, special events, contest awards, customer and partner appreciation, and other occasions. Each gift card purchase:

• Directly supports enterprises that put people and planet first

• Reduces waste by enabling people to choose a gift they really want and need 

• Contributes to social and environmental solutions

Gift cards can be purchased individually or in bulk. If you have questions or need support, get in touch.

Purchasing with purpose Gift Card

Directories and Marketplaces

Explore the directories to find enterprises working on issues you care about. Use the marketplaces to purchase products and services and support their work. Visit the Places page to access local directories and marketplaces from local purchasing initiatives.

Community

See all products and services from all enterprises in the Purchasing with Purpose community.

Verified

See all products and services from all People and Planet First verified enterprises in the community.

Shop Direct

See products and services that can be purchased directly through the site. Use this marketplace for gift cards.

Local Purchasing Initiatives

Want to help build a resilient local economy that puts people and planet first in your area? Local purchasing initiatives can focus on a town, city, region, or state, or a place-based event. They bring together partners, verified enterprises with products and services, buyers, and other supporters to expand and develop the local ecosystem. Local purchasing initiatives benefit from shared infrastructure and resources but evolve based on local needs and opportunities.

 Activities include:
  • Mobilizing resources from local supporters 
  • Engaging and verifying local enterprises that put people and planet first
  • Engaging buyers interested in purchasing with purpose in their local area
  • Organizing local events, workshops, campaigns, and other activities
  • Developing public procurement pilots
  • Building custom services to support institutional buyers
  • Filling local product and service gaps
  • Sharing stories and lessons learned

Impact Peer Community

Global procurement spend is thousands of times greater than charitable giving.  If we shift even 1% of this purchasing spend to enterprises that put people and planet first, it would mobilize a trillion dollars for social and environmental solutions. 

The People, Planet, Progress Community brings together procurement, sustainability, and impact professionals who want to leverage the power of purchasing for social and environmental impact. 

Membership includes: 
  • Discounts on Buying for Impact masterclasses
  • Expert-led forums and events  
  • A knowledge hub of up-to-date videos, resources, and tools
  • A support network of like-minded procurement and impact professionals
  • Preferential access to custom services
  • Recognition as a People, Planet, Purpose community member
Woman holding up sign that says We Need a Change

Custom Services

Do you work with a corporation, government agency, university, school system, hospital, faith community, or other large institution that wants to purchase with purpose? We offer custom support services to make it easier. Examples include:

  • Supplier audit and spend analysis 
  • Supplier search by category and location
  • Supplier verification and onboarding support 
  • Aligning purchasing with corporate values and goals
  • Team engagement and capacity building
  • Procurement weighting and scoring systems 
  • Process updates for bids and discrete spend
  • Tracking purchasing impact
  • Communicating about purchasing impact
  • Collaboration and amplification opportunities

Purchasing with Purpose works with a network of global partners and local partners in different areas of the United States. Want to explore opportunities?