FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Plant With Purpose Doubles Global ImpactPlant For Tomorrow expansion campaign runs until October 15, 2015

SAN DIEGO—June 25, 2015—Plant With Purpose is close to completing a $3.5 million expansion campaign to double program impact by 2017. To date, $3,345,554 has been raised through the Plant For Tomorrow campaign.

Plant With Purpose’s holistic approach to poverty alleviation equips subsistence farmers to lift themselves out of poverty. A proven three-part methodology focuses on environmental restoration, economic empowerment, and spiritual renewal. The organization currently partners with 130,000 adults and children in six countries to transform despair into hope. More than 14 million trees have been planted, restoring watersheds and revitalizing the land. Abundant crops are ending hunger. 800 community-based savings groups in 406 villages are sowing seeds of financial security. Hundreds of pastors and church leaders are being mobilized to address needs in their communities and share God’s love.

Over the next two years Plant With Purpose will double its impact by expanding into two new countries, partnering with 200 new communities, and impacting an additional 100,000 individuals. Plans are in the works to launch country programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia, two countries that face both extreme poverty and environmental degradation.

Plant With Purpose’s DRC pilot program will focus on communities located around the hillside habitat of the endangered mountain gorilla. By teaching environmental restoration, the program will ensure protection of this precious habitat. Farmer associations and savings-and-loan groups will provide opportunities for reconciliation as groups work together toward common goals.

In Ethiopia, Plant With Purpose has the unique opportunity to partner with the local church to preserve some of the country’s last remaining native forest. Church forests are irreplaceable treasures troves of biodiversity but are seriously threatened by poverty and poor agricultural practices. By providing training in sustainable agriculture and focusing on reforestation efforts, the program in Ethiopia hopes to see both poverty alleviation and environmental healing.

“I am excited by the plans to work in new countries with phenomenal opportunities to make a difference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia,” says Executive Director Scott Sabin. “However, I am even more motivated to see existing country programs scale up. Our work continues to grow more cost effective as we deliver the same quality of services with greater efficiency and scalability.”

The Plant For Tomorrow campaign will run through October 15, 2015. For more information, visit plantwithpurpose.org.

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About Plant With Purpose

Plant With Purpose (plantwithpurpose.org) is an international development organization that transforms lives in rural areas where poverty is caused by deforestation. For more than 30 years, Plant With Purpose has provided lasting solutions to rural poverty through a community development approach that integrates reforestation, sustainable agriculture programs, economic opportunity through microfinance, and local leadership development. Plant With Purpose currently works in more than 400 communities in six countries: Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania, and Thailand. The organization has planted over 14 million trees worldwide.

For interviews, inquiries, or additional information on Plant With Purpose, including videos or photos, please contact Becky Rosaler.

Contact: Becky RosalerMarketing and Events 800.633.5319 Office760.650.2819 Cellbecky@plantwithpurpose.orgplantwithpurpose.org

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