July 2009 - June 2010

Environmental Solutions To Humanitarian Problems

Plant With Purpose, a Christian non-profit organization, reverses deforestation and poverty around the world by transforming the lives of the rural poor.

Environmental Solutions To Humanitarian Problems

from the dIrector

In 2010 we faced huge challenges and had unprecedented Impact wIth dramatIc growth.
Certainly the defining event of the year was the unimaginably devastating earthquake in Haiti, which struck just as things seemed to be turning for the better in that country. Recovery will take years. However, in the face of terrible adversity, the response of our local staff in Haiti was tireless and inspiring. Guy Paraison and his team quickly learned how to do effective relief work, utilizing our long-standing local networks to achieve maximum impact. With major funding from the United Nations and World Relief, we were able to implement large-scale watershed restoration via Cash for Work, food relief, and seed distribution programs, all while maintaining our ongoing program in 70 villages. In the Dominican Republic, Director Carlos Disla led the organization through some remarkable growth and changes, initiating a pilot program incorporating the Village Savings and Loan groups in several communities.In Thailand, local leaders Tui and Jamlong, in addition to all of their other work, made significant strides in developing their approach to holistic ministry, helping to found a network of like-minded organizations working together to share the love of Jesus in the local context. In Mexico, our partner Misin Integral continues to be one of the most respected organizations in the region. Important milestones were celebrated as they helped the community of Loma Chimedia to inaugurate a new community center and opened a new high-capacity tree nursery in Monte Flor. We are very excited to have Floresta Burundi as one of the newest members of the Plant With Purpose family and have been delighted by the national recognition their work has received for using their program to facilitate reconciliation between formerly hostile neighbors. The program in Tanzania continues to grow, with funding from USAID helping local vegetable producers connect with marketing channels. Here in the United States we had some major milestones as well. Financially, we had our most successful year ever, with $1 million in earthquake funding driving nearly 60% growth. The earthquake was also the catalyst for formally changing our name from Floresta to Plant With Purpose, a name that we believe more clearly articulates our message. We continue to be a leader in the Creation Care movement, reaching out to churches around the country with awareness and practical opportunities for participation. We also began formal collaboration with Compassion International as well as World Relief. Finally, in February, my book, Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for Gods People, was published by Judson Press and was named a finalist in the Christianity Today Book of the Year Awards. The image that sticks in my mind and epitomizes all of our programs is that of Elisafi, a tremendously charismatic community leader from Tanzania who told us that the difference we made in his village is the difference between one meal a day and three meals a day. I contrast that lasting change with the dependency that aid often perpetuates and which is so evident in the camps of Port au Prince, and I long for the day we can bring three meals a day and the love of Christ to hundreds more villages.
Sincerely,

scott sabIn

Scott Sabin Executive Director

burundI
Plant With Purpose received requests to collaborate with three new community groups, which extends our work to new regions and provinces. Plant With Purpose is currently working with 186 members from nine community groups. Plant With Purpose began training groups on building and using fuel-efficient stoves, resulting in 69 new stoves built in the last quarter of the fiscal year. As a part of a new partnership with World Relief, Plant With Purpose trained World Reliefs beneficiaries in stove making.

Led by Lazare Sebiterereko Rukundwa Country Director, Floresta Burundi

Farmers groups were successful in selling cassava cuttings, beans, eggplant, and arrowroot cuttings. One community group, for example, earned $3,551 selling cuttings, which is a huge accomplishment for struggling families. The Ministry of Agriculture recognized Plant With Purpose as one of the five best non-governmental organizations in the Rutana province in Burundi.

domInIcan republIc
In 2010, Plant With Purpose partnered with 2,500 people in 52 villages in the Dominican Republic. 180,184 trees were planted in agroforestry and reforestation efforts across 356 acres, restoring the land, preventing erosion, and improving families livelihoods. Plant With Purpose is transitioning from a credit-led lending model to a savings-led model. In our project along the Haitian/Dominican border, eight new savings groups were formed and trained as a part of

Led by Carlos Disla Country Director, Floresta Incorporada

this pilot savings project. Already, these groups have accumulated $2,500 in savings. 205 lay leaders were trained and 59 new Bible study groups were established for a total of over 300 regularly-meeting groups as a result of Plant With Purposes partnership with 64 rural churches, fostering community, discipleship, and spiritual growth. Our work on the Haitian/Dominican border expanded from six to eight villages. Farmers of both nationalities are demonstrating a strong camaraderie as they work together to overcome poverty and revive their communities.

haItI
In response to the earthquake on January 12, 2010, Plant With Purposes local Haitian staff partnered with the United Nations, the Emergency Response Relief Fund, World Relief, and numerous churches, corporations, and individuals to bring relief to earthquake victims. Plant With Purpose distributed nearly 250,000 pounds of rice to 5,500 people in 45 communities and distributed over 107 tons of local corn and bean seeds and provided tools to over 6,000 farmers to plant crops to feed their families. Additionally, with earthquake funding, Plant With Pur-

Led by Guy Paraison Country Director, Floresta Ayiti

pose employed over 4,300 farmers through a Cash for Work program to plant over 240,000 trees and construct over 360 miles of soil erosion barriers. Plant With Purpose extended its ongoing work to 70 villages with 2,603 members. Community members planted over 260,000 trees and attended over 50 financial management trainings to improve their business skills. Plant With Purpose also made significant progress in providing assistance to local churches in their outreach and service to their communities by providing Bible study curriculum and training for pastors.

As of June 2010, Plant With Purpose is working in 220 communities in six countries. Collectively, Plant With Purposes partners have planted 5,690,895 trees and empowered thousands of rural families to transform their lives.

mexIco
In the midst of unpredictable weather that brought both severe drought and flooding, over 800 families (4,000 people) in 52 communities made great efforts to conserve their resources and improve their livelihoods. 11 cisterns were constructed to store 16,000 gallons of rainwater each. 47 family vegetable gardens were established to improve families incomes and nutrition.

Led by Luis Alberto Castellanos Country Director, Misin Integral Para el Desarrollo

36,636 trees were planted across 79 acres to reforest degraded hillsides. 66 loans were granted through community savings and loan groups, allowing members to start small businesses and generate income. The Church, Community, and Change project that began in the community of Loma Ardilla continued to empower the local church to be an agent of positive change in the community.

tanzanIa
Plant With Purpose partnered with 1,766 farmers in 36 villages with dramatic results: families have produced nutritious food to eat and sell, children have been able to go to school, and communities have joined together to grow in their faith and transform their lives. Plant With Purpose teamed up with USAID to implement a three-year program that will help farmers maximize local markets to receive more money for the crops they grow, improving their livelihoods and fostering longterm growth and prosperity.

Led by Edith Banzi Country Director, Floresta Tanzania

A record 594,431 seedlings were planted in deforested areas thanks to many local churches growing interest and engagement in environmental stewardship activities. 582 fuel-efficient stoves were built to save wood, produce less smoke, and improve family health. 7 new Village Community Banking (VICOBA) groups were established for a total of 64 groups. Together, these groups saved $99,325 this year, which they can lend out to members to improve their farms or invest in small businesses. In addition to promoting savings and loans, these groups create a venue for personal growth through group devotions and training opportunities.

thaIland
Plant With Purpose worked with 500 hill tribe farmers in 21 villages in Northern Thailand. Farmers continued to make great strides in reducing poverty, healing environmental and social scars, and developing healthy, sustainable economies. 23,363 trees were planted in agroforestry and reforestation efforts. 255 hill tribe members were assisted in the process of receiving Thai citizenship.

Led by Jamlong Pawkham and Bunsak Thongdi Co-Directors, Upland Holistic Development Project

Farmers trained in agroforestry and sustainable hillside farming techniques started 31 new agroforestry plots that improved soil quality and crop yields while providing families with nutritious food to eat and sell. Plant With Purpose staff facilitated workshops for local leaders that focused on holistic community development and developing appropriate social and moral responses to community problems.

CONTINUED PrOgram aCCOmPlIshmENTs

unIted states
Led by Scott Sabin Executive Director, Plant With Purpose
Plant With Purpose raised a record amount of funds for its programs around the globe and provided technical support, consulting, and accountability for our overseas partners. Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for Gods People, written by Scott Sabin, which explores the Biblical basis for why Christians should care for Creation, was published by Judson Press in February 2010. Plant With Purpose held its annual auction and dinner at the La Jolla Marriott in San Diego and raised $319,170 for its programs worldwide. New corporate partnerships were formed. Companies such as Bassett Furniture, Weyerhaeuser, Snapshot Group, Kellogg Garden Products, 1% for the Planet, and Google joined with Plant With Purpose to empower rural farmers to overcome poverty and transform their lives.

Plant With PurPose Financial GroWth

Fiscal Years 2006-2010

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

$ 1,289,425 $ 1,476,973 $ 2,135,776 $ 2,438,534 $ 3,870,868

stateMent oF Financial Position

2010
net assets Unrestricted Temporarily restricted Permanently restricted total net assets total liabilities and net assets $486,201 $247,944 $55,550 $789,695 $849,171 $203,029 $67,228 $55,550 $325,807 $388,903

2009

board of dIrectors
scott sabIn, PrEsIDENT Jeff busby, ChaIr neIl bellefeuIlle, sECrETary Jeff Kahler, TrEasUrEr murray decKer rIchard Jaynes erIc KaIser catherIne lundy John mcKay cIndy outlaw marK portraIt marK slomKa rIchard thompson robert wItbecK
6

11 % 9%
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
N TA ZA NIA

8%
US & E AWARE DUC NE ATIO SS N

7%

MEXICO

HAITI
D SIN RAI G

44%

6% 4%

3% 1%

OTHER COUNTRIES

7%

M AD ANA MI GE NI ME ST N RA T & TIV THA E ILAN D

FUN

BURUNDI

stateMent oF activities
UNRESTRICTED revenues and suPPort General Donations Interest and dividend income Net assets released from restrictions Total Revenues exPenses Program activities: Haiti Dominican Republic Tanzania US Awareness & Education Mexico Thailand Burundi Other Countries Total Program Activities supporting activities: Management & Administrative Fundraising Total Supporting Activities Total Expenses Change in Net Assets Net assets, beginning of year net assets, end oF year 195,285 236,534 431,819 3,406,980 (283,172) 203,029 $486,201 1,504,879 364,648 313,909 287,071 247,968 136,430 101,864 18,392 2,975,161 $1,832,085 278 1,857,789 3,690,152

2010
TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED 2,038,505 (1,857,789) (180,716) PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED TOTAL 3,870,590 278 3,870,868

2009
TOTAL 2,432,958 5,576 2,438,534

1,504,879 364,648 313,909 287,071 247,968 136,430 101,864 18,392

615,266 375,527 236,396 327,674 256,908 106,875 91,623 31,750

2,975,161 87% 2,042,019

(180,716) 67,228 $247,944

55,550 $55,550

195,285 236,534 431,819 13%

184,396 295,765 480,161

3,406,980 100% 2,522,180 (463,888) 325,807 $789,695 (83,646) 409,453 $325,807

At Plant With Purpose we believe that one of the greatest untapped resources in the world is the God-given talents and energy of the rural poor. We believe that far more can be accomplished by working with them to discover these talents and change their communities than could ever be accomplished by us doing things for them. We believe that human beings, called to be stewards of Gods creation, can restore fruitfulness, health, and biodiversity to the environment. We believe that through the love of Jesus, we can work with communities to restore relationships with God, with neighbors, and with the earth itself. We believe that the local churches can become vibrant and healthy, contributing to their communities in new ways. Together, we are breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and deforestation and transforming it into a victorious cycle of environmental restoration, economic empowerment, and spiritual renewal.

we are excIted about what we have seen so far, so It Is wIth great antIcIpatIon that we looK forward to the next fIve years. our goals Include:
Increase the number of communities that we serve in our existing programs from 220 to 500. Expand our work into five new countries. Leverage our success by offering what we have learned about the interplay between poverty and environmental degradation to other organizations seeking to help the poor. Increase our ability to host trips and teams, using them as a teaching tool so others might understand and become advocates for the poor and for Creation. At the same time, we are working to continually get better at what we do, seeking and sharing best practices and research between our programs. Although we are thrilled by the lasting change we have been blessed to participate in, we are confident that this is only the beginning.

plant wIth purpose | formerly Known as floresta usa

4903 Morena Blvd., Ste. 1215, San Diego, CA 92117 800.633.5319 | www.plantwithpurpose.org
Plant With Purpose is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, identification no. 33-0052976

Environmental Solutions To Humanitarian Problems