Within the coffee sector, progress rarely comes from one organization alone. Instead, it’s driven by a patchwork of nonprofits, cooperatives, and initiatives — each with its own priorities, funding structures, and areas of impact. From farmer training programs to sustainability projects to community health efforts, these groups collectively shape the future of coffee.
One funding model that’s been gaining traction is the checkoff model. Think of it like setting up an automatic savings deposit: a small, predictable contribution that adds up over time. In coffee, this means roasters can choose to contribute a few cents per pound of green coffee they purchase. It’s a simple, low-barrier way to support meaningful work in coffee-growing communities — without having to navigate the complexities of international aid or direct project funding.
At Atlas, we see ourselves not just as importers but as facilitators of collective impact. When a roaster chooses to participate in a checkoff program, we handle the execution:
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Adding contributions to your invoice, based on the amount purchased per pound.
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Collecting and transferring funds to the designated organization.
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Often matching contributions with Atlas funds, multiplying the effect.
This streamlined approach ensures that small contributions from many roasters turn into big change for communities at origin.
Grounds for Health cervical cancer screening in Sidama, Ethiopia, in 2023.
One of our longest and most meaningful partnerships is with Grounds for Health. Since 1996, this nonprofit has delivered women’s health programs in coffee-growing regions around the world. Their focus is on preventing cervical cancer — a disease that is almost entirely preventable, yet tragically projected to claim 4.5 million women’s lives in the next 15 years, disproportionately in low-income countries.
Grounds for Health tackles this challenge through:
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Innovative HPV screenings that are affordable and accessible in rural areas.
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Life-saving treatments that stop cervical cancer before it starts.
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Community-based programs that keep women healthy so they can thrive — as mothers, farmers, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Grounds for Health team training in Ethiopia, June, 2023.
Their impact has already reached communities across Central and South America, and today their programs are active in Ethiopia and Kenya, where they’re continuing to break down barriers to care.
Learn more about Grounds for Health here and email your Atlas Representative to enroll in their checkoff program. Together, small contributions can create a ripple effect of healthier communities and a stronger coffee sector.
You can also make an exceptional impact and receive exceptional coffee and other items by bidding in the upcoming #GFHAuction starting on September 18. As they share, "This unique event offers the chance to bid on some of the world’s most delicious and rare coffees—and know that your purchase will offer healthcare to coffee farmers in Ethiopia and Kenya." Atlas has donated a $750 Education credit--mark your calendars and make a bid to support this outstanding organization!