COMMUNITY GIVING POLICY
1. Purpose & Philosophy
At Chocolat-e, we believe that business is a force for good — not just in the sourcing of our single-origin cacao, but in the communities where we live and operate. This Community Giving Policy formalizes our commitment to directing a meaningful share of our revenue toward organizations that create lasting positive impact.
As a B Corp certified company and Oregon benefit corporation, we are legally and ethically accountable to stakeholders beyond our shareholders. Community giving is not a marketing activity — it is a core expression of our mission and values.
2. Annual Giving Commitment
Chocolat-e commits to donating a minimum of 1% of annual gross revenue to qualified nonprofit organizations each fiscal year. This commitment applies regardless of profitability and is treated as a fixed cost of doing business with integrity.
Giving may be made as a single annual contribution or in periodic installments throughout the year. Any year in which 1% of gross revenue exceeds our actual donations, the shortfall will be carried forward and added to the following year’s commitment.
3. Primary Giving Partner: Ukandu
Chocolat-e has designated Ukandu as our primary community giving partner. Ukandu is a Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide joy, hope, and connection to communities impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer. Ukandu’s programs — including Camp Ukandu, Family Camp, Teen Retreat, Ukandu Corps, and their new family resource center, The Loft — are offered 100% free of charge to all families served.
We are proud that Ukandu has recognized Chocolat-e as an official charitable partner. Our relationship with Ukandu reflects our belief that the best giving partnerships are deep, sustained, and local — not transactional.
Why Ukandu
Ukandu was selected as our primary partner because of the following alignment with Chocolat-e’s values:
• Local community impact: Ukandu serves families across the Portland-metro area, including Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties — the same communities in which Chocolat-e operates.
• Whole-family support: Like Chocolat-e’s approach to chocolate — which honors the full story from farm to bar — Ukandu recognizes that a childhood cancer diagnosis affects the entire family, not just the patient.
• Free access model: All Ukandu programming is free to families, removing financial barriers for those already facing significant hardship.
• Forty-year track record: Founded in 1986, Ukandu celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, including the opening of The Loft, their first permanent family resource center.
• Volunteer-driven model: Ukandu relies on over 200 volunteers annually, reflecting the kind of engaged community stewardship we admire.
4. Administration & Accountability
DONATION TIMING
Annual donations to Ukandu will be made no later than December 31 of each calendar year. Chocolat-e will provide Ukandu with written notice of each donation and retain documentation for B Corp reporting and Oregon benefit corporation annual filings.
CALCULATION
The 1% calculation is based on gross revenue as reported in Chocolat-e’s annual financial statements. Revenue figures will be finalized using our fiscal year-end statements and the donation amount confirmed by January 31 of the following year, with any true-up payment made within 30 days of that date.
TRANSPARENCY
Chocolat-e will disclose our giving commitment and actual donations in our annual B Corp Benefits Report, on our company website, and in relevant marketing materials. We will provide Ukandu with permission to reference our partnership publicly.5. Future Giving Partners
While Ukandu is our primary giving partner, Chocolat-e may designate additional giving partners in future years as our revenue grows. Any future partners will be evaluated against the following criteria:
• 501(c)(3) status or equivalent recognized nonprofit standing
• Mission alignment with Chocolat-e’s values: community, family, education, or environmental stewardship
• Transparency and accountability in financial reporting
• Preference for Oregon-based organizations or organizations with direct ties to our cacao-origin communities
6. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually by Chocolat-e’s founders prior to the start of each fiscal year. Revisions may be made to reflect changes in revenue scale, organizational priorities, or partner relationships. Any reduction in the 1% commitment requires documented justification and approval by both co-founders.
7. Approval & Signatures
This policy has been reviewed and approved by the co-founders of Chocolat-e Inc.