Welcome!
You’ve stumbled across an experiment: an effort to see what a newsletter might look like that covers all the ways owners commit their businesses to a purpose, from nonbinding public statements all the way to irrevocable purpose lock-in.
Each week we’ll share news on all the things we’ve spotted. For more, subscribe here:
One Big Thing
Matt Pardieck of The 21 Hats Morning Report examines Grady-White’s transition to purpose trust ownership and asks: Have You Considered Giving Away Your Business?
Upcoming Events
Aug 25: Institute for Family Governance’s lunch presentation with Newman’s Own Foundation in Miami
Aug 26: NCEO’s 2026 NCEO Forum starts in Phoenix; day one features an intensive workshop on employee ownership trusts
News this week
Southern Shade Tree (NC) raised equity from Mosaic Capital Partners, acquired Atlantic Coast Landscaping (NC), and established an employee ownership trust
John Abrams reflects on Yvon Chouinard’s biography and his reasons for giving his company to a purpose trust
Ari Weinzweig reflects on how perpetual purpose trusts force long-term thinking at Zingerman’s
A new Harvard report reveals that 79% of Gen Z seek jobs that positively influence others’ lives, yet many are concerned about their low pay (ht Daphne Berry)
Nina de Korte analyzes a new report from EY, a consultancy, on extractivism
The Impact Track analyzes the governance conflict at Indian conglomerate Tata Sons, highlighting the tensions between mission-driven trust ownership and market oversight (ht Daniela G.)
The steward-owned collective CO_ recently structured a loan for açaí harvesters in Colombia around harvest cycles rather than quarterly cycles
🎙️ Journey to Regeneration talks with We are Stewards cofounder Esther Welles about steward ownership: