Places

Creating the communities we want to live in

Over the past few decades, we’ve seen wealth extracted from our communities, local independent businesses close, and living wage jobs disappear. Inequality has risen, environmental risks are growing, and we’ve become increasingly dependent on fragile global supply chains for local essentials. We don’t have time to wait for top-down solutions. We’re starting where we are, with what we have.

We’re coming together to support enterprises that care about people and the planet, reinvest in social and environmental solutions, and strengthen our local economies. Scroll down to learn more and get involved.

Chicagoland

Directory | Marketplace

Oregon

Directory | Marketplace

New York

Directory | Marketplace

Arizona

Directory | Marketplace

California

Directory | Marketplace

Michigan

Directory | Marketplace

Get Started

Purchasing with Purpose Places are local initiatives that transform individual choices into community power. They are an opportunity for everyone to get involved in building the next economy. 

Purchase with Purpose

  • Look at the products and services you currently use, and start by making a single shift. Is there an enterprise that prioritizes people and planet that offers that product or service? Is there anyone in your area? 
 
  • Expand to other suppliers and service providers. What banking services do you use? Where does your energy come from? Are there cooperative grocery stores, secondhand shops, refilleries, independent retailers, or farmers markets you can support? Are there enterprises working to solve social or environmental challenges?
 
  • Expand beyond your household. What products and services does your workplace use? Are you part of a local community group, school, church or faith community, sports club or event? Can you help shift their spend?

Connect Locally

  • Contact [email protected] to join a Purchasing with Purpose online group for your area. Use the group to find products and services, share information and experiences, and support enterprises working on the social and environmental issues you care about.
 
  • Help build the community directory. If you know an enterprise that prioritizes people and the planet, share the invite link and encourage them to create a free profile, or submit your recommendation, and we’ll reach out. States with more than 30 enterprises, get their own local directory, map, and marketplace.

Engage Others

  • Talk about the changes you’re making and the enterprises you’re supporting. If you’re on social media, share photos and videos. Communicating about everyday action can inspire others. This isn’t virtue signaling; it’s community building.
 
  • Work with your local Purchasing with Purpose group to organize awareness campaigns, meetups, swaps, markets, trade shows, and other events. Make it easy and fun for people to get involved.

Collaborate and Celebrate

  • Work with your Purchasing with Purpose group to help local institutional buyers shift their spend and change their procurement policies to prioritize people and the planet. There are examples from government offices, universities, hospitals, large companies, and other anchor institutions. Connect with other communities to learn more.
 
  • If an institutional buyer purchases with purpose, celebrate it! Amplify the story through signboards, websites, and local media. Every purchase contributes to social and environmental solutions and helps build a more inclusive and resilient economy.