If you are a regular around Cafe Imports, you might have noticed that we don’t call our yearly recap a sustainability or transparency report. Instead, we call it a ‘Progress Report’. Making headway, moving forward, striving for change – whatever your preferred term is for making a difference in the world, we view coffee as a medium to accomplish that. As we took on the process of certifying as a Benefit Corporation (B Corp), it became clear that while we have programs and projects that aim to make a social or economic impact in the places we source coffee, we needed to formalize the ways we give back in the communities we call home.
Wildflyer Coffee
With this in mind, we commit to donate 1% of global net profits to community-oriented causes every year. These funds are entirely employee-directed with volunteers from each office teaming up to find, research, and select which causes to support. Whether it’s a cafe opening its doors to provide hospitality training and a safe space, critical healthcare for those that need it, food and shelter for the most vulnerable, supporting native and Indigenous leadership, or simply taking care of our woodland friends, we’re humbled to be a small part of the journey of these incredible causes.
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.
Refugio Cafe is part of the Refugio Berlin housing project. A makeshift office, a meeting point with friends, or a spot for late-night studying, the Cafe serves as a gathering point and place where the community around Refugio Berlin can always find a seat.
Because we believe that coffee can be a strand in the rope of change. 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.
As extreme weather events and increasing pollution drive down air quality, the damage is just now being felt and studied. Camp Superkids provides a place where youth affected by respiratory challenges can find camaraderie and tools to cope in a changing environment.
Because we fully believe everyone should have equal access to critical healthcare, education opportunities, and business development tools regardless of gender identity or expression.
On any given night in 2023, about ten and a half thousand people in Minnesota faced spending the night unhoused. 28% of them were children under the age of 18. Sanctuary Supply Depot purchases or collects tents, sleeping bags, and other critical supplies for distribution to the most vulnerable in our communities.
We believe education is a pathway to lasting empowerment. Native Governance Center provides tools, resources, and opportunities for native and Indigenous leaders to amplify their voice and impact through leadership training, tribal governance support, and community engagement.
Second Harvest Heartland is a food shelf on the front lines, providing for those facing food insecurity. With an average of 128 million meals served to the one-in-ten Minnesotans who report relying solely on food shelves in the last six months, they play a critical role in supporting our communities in their time of need.
Because we love the outdoors and the creatures who call it home! Who doesn’t want to be a part of rehabilitating a kingfisher or helping feed the 200+ species that will receive care at the WRCM each year?
From all of us at Cafe Imports, thank you(!) to everyone in these organizations for showing up, giving to our communities day after day, and making progress in addressing these critical needs.
If you represent a not-for-profit, project, or cause that aligns with our ethos to increase the quality of life for all, decrease our negative impact on the earth, and share through education and example, we want to hear from you! Fill out the Request for Proposal below to be considered for future support.