Patagonia
The activist outdoor company that exists to save the planet.
Photo credit: Patagonia
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Related on Causeartist
- Founder
- Yvon Chouinard
Patagonia is an outdoor apparel and gear company founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, widely regarded as one of the most influential impact-driven businesses ever built. The company makes high-performance clothing and equipment for climbing, surfing, skiing, trail running, and fly fishing, with a supply chain built around organic cotton, recycled materials, and Fair Trade Certified factories.
In 2022, Chouinard transferred ownership of Patagonia to the Patagonia Purpose Trust and the Holdfast Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting the environmental crisis. This structure ensures that all profits not reinvested in the business go directly to environmental causes, approximately $100 million per year.
Patagonia operates one of the most scrutinized and respected environmental programs in consumer goods, including its Worn Wear repair initiative, product take-back programs, and decades of activist grantmaking through its 1% for the Planet founding membership.
Key benefits
Environmental Commitment
Patagonia donates 1% of sales to environmental causes.
Sustainable Practices
The company promotes responsible sourcing and recycling.
Advocacy and Activism
Patagonia stands for environmental protection and activism.
Latest News and Funding Rounds
Patagonia embeds environmental cost into its business model rather than treating it as a charitable add-on. By transferring company ownership to a purpose trust and nonprofit, it structurally guarantees that profit serves environmental ends rather than shareholder returns.
The company backs this with supply chain accountability — organic and recycled materials, Fair Trade factory certification, and a repair-first product philosophy designed to extend garment life and reduce consumption overall.
$100M+ donated to environmental causes annually post-ownership transfer; 1% of sales donated to environmental nonprofits since 1985; over $140M granted to grassroots environmental groups to date; Worn Wear program has repaired hundreds of thousands of garments; Fair Trade Certified sewing for a significant portion of its lin
Frequently asked questions
- What does Patagonia do?
- Patagonia is an outdoor apparel and gear company founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, widely regarded as one of the most influential impact-driven businesses ever built. The company makes high-performance clothing and equipment for climbing, surfing, skiing, trail running, and fly fishing, with a supply chain built around organic cotton, recycled materials, and Fair Trade Certified factories. In…
- Where is Patagonia based?
- Patagonia is based in California, United States.
- What sector does Patagonia operate in?
- Patagonia operates in the Environment & Conservation sector.
- Who founded Patagonia?
- Yvon Chouinard
At a glance
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