Compounding this tiny percentage can multiply the power of business for good.

We don’t keep any portion of these donations. You choose the who, the how, the where and the when for your donation. You may want to reward an innovative non-profit in education, healthcare, the environment or even invest in new start-ups or micro-entrepreneurship…whatever is most important to you and whatever cause you think would have a multiplier impact.

Ok so if 3% sounds like a lot – remember it doesn’t need to be all (or even any) in cash donations. You can use any combination that adds up to 3% or more:

IMPORTANT:
After you make your pledge, go to http://3percentforward.org/pledged
to track your impact and join the 3%’er community!

Q: 3% certainly seems like a lot. I'm in a low-margin business/things aren't going well/the economy is weird/my CFO just embezzled a gazillion dollars, etc. Do I have to donate 3% in cash?

A: Absolutely not. In fact, you don't have to do any type of cash donation at all. The 3% Forward Pledge is totally flexible based on what you want to contribute and where you think it can have a multiplier effect. For instance, you could provide 3% of your time being a mentor to startups (that counts). You could take 2% of your time and also provide 1% of your product/service to a cause that matters to you (that counts).

Q: So if I'm donating my time or talent - how do I figure out what that's worth?

A: If you don't bill by the hour - one easy way you can put a fair market value price on your time by simply calculating a % of hours you'll willing to provide. For example, if you work 40 hrs per week than its approximately 1 hr per week equals 3% of your time. There are sites like www.Sparked.com where you can micro-volunteer your expertise to help non-profits.

Q: Why do you need my company's annual sales for the pledge?

A: The ultimate goal is to create $1,000,000,000.00 ($1 Billion) in impact by July 3, 2015. We simply use an aggregated total of companies gross sales to show the economic value of the 3%. Your individual sales numbers remain confidential and are not shared.

Q: What if I don't want to commit to 3% of all my sales? Can I just pick a product or two for the pledge?

A: Sure. It's totally up to you.

Q: How does joining 3% Forward actually help my business?

A: Your 3% pledge does not have to come at the sacrifice of your profits - because doing good can actually be good for your business.

As part of the 3%'er community you'll be introduced to new ideas, inspiration, best practices and innovative business models for how you can create a bigger impact that also positively buoys your bottom line. (Yep, it's our sneaky evil plan to make your 3% forward pledge bigger and bigger each year.)

Plus, you'll create more engagement with customers and employees by sharing how you are doing good with your 3%+. Recent research shows that customers are more inclined to do business with you if there's an added benefit of a philanthropic tie-in. (Of course, your product has to good and any cause related tie-in needs to be done in authentic and genuine way reflecting your brand.)

Q: I'm already contributing more than 3% of our sales through different programs - do I need to start doing something else?

A: If you're already donating 3% or more - that's great! We want to give you the credit you deserve by joining other inspired entrepreneurs in proudly bearing the 3% Forward Pledge seal. You don't have to change what you're doing or the ways you donate. (In fact, we'd like to hear from you in the community so we can share your story with other 3%'ers.)

Q: How do you verify if I make the 3% pledge?

A: The pledge works on the honor system. It's up to you to contribute in the ways you think can have the most impact. Every 3^rd of the month - we'll remind you with the 3%'er Fast Forward newsletter but it's always your choice how you give.

Q: What are the causes, non-profits or ways I can contribute?

A: You choose the who, the how, the where and the when for your donation. You may want to reward an innovative non-profit in education, healthcare, the environment or even invest in new start-ups or micro-entrepreneurship... whatever is most important to you and whatever cause you think would have a multiplier impact. We don't keep any portion of these donations or collect them on your behalf.

Q: Who's behind the 3% Forward Movement?

A: It's a group of forward-thinking entrepreneurs, CEOs, thought leaders and innovative non-profits who believe entrepreneurship can change the world. And by applying just a fraction of our entrepreneurial talent, ideas and/or capital, we can help support what matters most and potentially help solve some of the biggest issues facing the world today.

Q: How do I make the 3% pledge?

A: It's easy. Just click here to go to the pledge form and then step two is to join the 3%'er community.