Imagine a company that puts purpose before profit. Next, imagine a world where all business and profit are driven by the goal of supporting local and global grassroots campaigns. For the past five years, I have been working for a brand called Cotopaxi whose goal is to alleviate poverty.
Cotopaxi is an outdoor brand based in Salt Lake City, Utah with a focus on doing good globally. The Cotopaxi Foundation states: “Giving is core to who we are. The Cotopaxi Foundation provides grants to nonprofits that help communities facing extreme poverty. Cotopaxi is also a member of 1% for the Planet, which means we’re committed to donating at least 1% of annual revenue toward a healthier planet for all.” As one of the Cotopaxi Foundation’s original grantees, United to Beat Malaria received Cotopaxi’s support to further its mission to eradicate malaria within our lifetimes.
As a veteran champion, I love that Cotopaxi has enabled me to back this cause that I am so passionate about in my personal life. This year, the Cotopaxi Foundation selected 5 employee champions from multiple states across the U.S. to come to Washington, D.C. in support of United to Beat Malaria’s annual Summit on Capitol Hill. This is Cotopaxi’s second year in a row participating, and it has been incredible to see the progress this cause has made and to learn from leading experts about what future funding can accomplish.
Malaria is a global poverty issue — and because this disease disproportionately affects pregnant women, malaria is also a women’s health issue. Now more than ever, as the world has more displaced people than ever before, malaria is a refugee issue, too. I am proud to represent a company that believes in the work needed to move the world towards a malaria-free world. Thanks to the work that United to Beat Malaria is accomplishing, I believe in a malaria-free world.