Starbucks and its subsidiary organization, the Ethos Water Fund, are on a mission to raise $360 million for charity.

The problem? Only 2.7% of the money raised will actually benefit charitable causes. The remaining $350 million will be retained as gross revenue for Starbucks.

Here's how this works:

Starbucks sells its own brand of bottled water called "Ethos." The water retails for $1.80 per bottle. On the display, promotional materials, and the product itself, Ethos calls attention to the plight of impoverished Africans who do not have access to clean drinking water. Starbucks asserts that, by purchasing Ethos water, the proceeds from your purchase will go to benefit this cause.

Sounds like a great idea, right? It is, except for one small problem...

The amount of each Ethos purchase that actually goes to charity is only FIVE CENTS.

This isn't fundraising for a charitable cause. It's profiteering disguised as a humanitarian relief effort. It exploits the very real issue of the African drinking water crisis for the express purpose of making money for Starbucks.

Starbucks says that it prides itself on being a globally-conscious company, and many of its actions demonstrate this to be true. But this particular scheme does not fit in at all with Starbucks' stated values and humanitarian objectives. Something needs to change.

The purpose of this movement is to challenge the Starbucks Corporation to improve its model of raising money for the African drinking water crisis by increasing the amount of money donated per bottle of Ethos water.

How to get involved:

1. Sign the PETITION. We are on a quest to collect as many digital signatures as possible to present our case to the Starbucks Corporation, and your signature makes a difference.
   
   
2. Spread the word. Send this site to your email contacts, and join our Facebook Group.
   
   
3. Refuse to buy Ethos. We're not calling for a global boycott of Starbucks, but we are certainly calling for a boycott of the misleading product itself. Point out to fellow customers that only a nickel goes to the charity plastered all over the promotional literature, and encourage them to contribute to a reputable charity instead.
   
   
4. Contribute to a reputable charity. The African drinking water shortage is a very real crisis affecting millions of people. Just $1 can provide clean water to an African for an entire year! We are not affiliated with or sponsored by any charity, nor do we accept donations, but we do recommend some excellent charities who are making a difference in this crisis. View our Links page for a current list.