If progress had a sound, it might be pruning shears snipping, chalk scratching out maths on a chalkboard, or a splash at the cupping table when someone gets excited mid‑slurp. The idea of making progress looks very different to each of us; it’s a product of history, values, and who we call community.
Each year, we set ourselves an objective to do the most good we can, as close to home as we can, be that near our offices or the places and people we source coffee with. That’s where Progress Projects come in. We commit 1% of net profit to community-focused organizations chosen by the people who know those places best, our own teammates. We read proposals, trade notes across time zones, and pick a mix of recipients that reflect our values to Increase, Decrease, and Share. We’re excited to be a part of supporting these organizations and hope you find meaning in their mission as well!
Photo credit: Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
Paying The Rent is one of the ways we acknowledge and pay respect to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land that Cafe Imports Australia works on. Pay The Rent is a grassroots initiative based in Victoria, Australia, that enables non-Indigenous people to make direct financial contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as a form of reparations.
Berliner Obdachlosenhilfe is a nonprofit organization that has been conducting street outreach programs in Berlin since 2013. They visit several districts, three days a week, providing the un-housed and people in need with warm meals, beverages, clothing, sleeping bags, hygiene products, and compassionate conversation. Their dedicated group of volunteers are focused on supporting Berlin’s most vulnerable residents through direct, hands-on assistance.
CLUES is a Latino‑founded and community‑driven service network that operates throughout the state of Minnesota. They provide support in multiple critical areas including educational programming and advancement, pathways to economic mobility and financial stability, accessible behavioral health services and mental wellness resources, vibrant arts and cultural enrichment opportunities, and dedicated support services for survivors of violence and trauma. We’re proud to support CLUES this year as a Progress Project, and through their Al Niño con Cariño” (To the kids with love) fundraiser via some team bike building shenanigans.
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota provides comprehensive, no-cost immigration legal representation and engages in advocacy work on behalf of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers throughout the entire state of Minnesota.
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center is a vital community organization dedicated to supporting Native women and families throughout the region through culturally grounded services that honor traditional values and meet contemporary needs. Their wide-ranging programming includes secure housing assistance and shelter services, accessible mental health counseling and therapeutic support, life-saving warming center operations during harsh winter months, professional legal resources and advocacy, nutritious meals and food security programs, and holistic community healing initiatives with an aim to strengthen connections and promote wellness across generations.
We’re back for a second year of Drop Dead(lift) Gorgeous! A volunteer-led fundraising event hosted by Solcana Fitness in Minneapolis that brings together athletes and community members to support trans+ and gender-expansive communities through friendly competition. The event has raised over $350,000 for trans+ communities in the Midwest and aims to create visibility and advocate for trans+ inclusion in sports.
Dedicated to creating and fostering a welcoming and inclusive queer and gender-diverse community within outdoor spaces through educational clinics, comprehensive courses, equitable gear access programs, and meaningful leadership development pathways throughout the Pacific Northwest region.
Rain, shine snow, or sleet, you’ll find this group of volunteers in and around Minneapolis providing survival kits, clothing, showers, harm reduction, wound care, and clean laundry for unhoused neighbors.
Coffee can be a huge force for social change at every-point in the value circle. Wildflyer is making this a reality right here in our backyard in Minneapolis by providing job training in the coffee industry with a goal to end youth homelessness. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by, say “h!i” and you might just be sipping a coffee you recognize.
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC) is one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in North America, providing comprehensive medical care and rehab services to injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals. Operating 365 days a year, WRC admits thousands of animals annually across hundreds of species. WRC is currently expanding with a new rehabilitation campus and relies on community support through donations, volunteers, and internship programs. Their mission centers on delivering quality care while sharing knowledge with the public about wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.
Guatemala has the second highest rate of moderate to severe food insecurity in Latin America. GRACES (Guatemalan Resource and Community Empowerment Services) operates the Meal Support Program to provide essential nutrition to students at Escuela Integrada and their families during the school year, helping students focus on their studies, not their next source of food. This program provides breakfast, lunch, and food bags with 100% of funds raised going directly to feeding students.
Thank you to everyone at these organizations for your dedication, consistent care, and meaningful work in our communities. We appreciate every one of you!
If you represent a nonprofit, project, or cause aligned with our values of increasing quality of life for all, decreasing our environmental impact, and sharing you knowledge of coffee through education and example, we’d love to hear from you! Complete the contact form below and we’ll be in touch.