Chicory 1% for Social Justice
Good financial planning is not just about accumulating wealth. To live a “good life,” we need to understand our relationship with money, clarify what impact we want to make, and use our resources in a way that supports that impact. At Chicory Wealth, we know that charitable giving is key to financial health, so it has always been part of our financial life planning process – with our clients and with our own business.
Charitable giving has been an important element of Chicory Wealth’s business model since it started in 2002. This includes charitable donations and sponsorships of nonprofits and was the center of our Chicory Giving Group program, which we hosted from 2007 to 2023 and included our clients in fundraising for charitable organizations.
A New Initiative for 2024
Last year, the entire Chicory Wealth team began a discussion of how we might improve our programs so they have more impact in the world and support our mission of “aspiring toward a more just and sustainable world.” We recognized that we are living in a pivotal time, brought on by accelerating climate change, increased discriminatory ideologies, and very real threats to democracy, and the need to address these issues seemed urgent.
After careful consideration, we decided it was time to make a bold commitment to change, so in 2024 we are launching CHICORY 1% FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Starting this year, Chicory Wealth commits to:
- Donating at least 1 percent of our annual revenue to creative, locally grounded organizations working for systemic social change;
- Sharing the message of these organizations with the wider community; and
- Inspiring our clients and others to consider making their own commitments to social change.
CHICORY 1% FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE in 2024: Protecting Democracy
Just as the decision to launch this new initiative was made after careful consideration by the entire team, we were all involved in deciding where to place our focus in 2024. Immediately, we thought of the critical importance of this year’s elections and the need to protect democracy. Therefore, in 2024 Chicory Wealth will be partnering with organizations building power for marginalized communities and removing barriers to democratic participation, following the philosophy of U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley who said, “those closest to the pain should be closest to the power.”
We worked with philanthropic partners to identify three excellent organizations to support in 2024—organizations that are led by those closest to the problem being addressed, are built by leaders who are part of and trusted by their community, and employ strategies designed to bring about systemic change:
- Black Voters Matter: Based in Atlanta, Georgia, but national in scope, BVM’s goal is to increase power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities through voter registration and turnout, policy advocacy for voter rights and access, and leader and candidate trainings and resources.
- Alliance for Youth Organizing: AYO is a nationwide network of organizations building the political power of young people by registering and providing information to voters, empowering young leaders with tools and trainings, and elevating the stories and voices of young people in local communities.
- Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda: GCPA acts as an umbrella organization of social justice groups in Georgia and the Southeast that advocate for voting rights protection, elimination of barriers to the ballot box, criminal justice reform, quality education, affordable housing, economic development, and equal participation in the political process for people of color and underrepresented communities.
This initiative involves more than a financial donation from our company to these organizations. During the year, we will invite representatives from these three organizations to join our CEO Maggie Kulyk for one of her regular webinars. We’ll also provide updates about these organizations in our monthly newsletter and highlight them in our in-person events.
Spreading the Commitment
We also hope that by launching this initiative, we will inspire others to make their own commitments for change – whether it’s individuals, households, or businesses. It’s important that we all understand how much we are giving (or not giving) to the wider community, what it would mean to increase that giving, and whether our giving supports our vision for a better world.
CHICORY 1% FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE grew out of our belief that those of us at the “grass-tops” have the responsibility to use our influence and resources to support those organizing and building power at the “grass-roots.” We hope others will join us.
