PG&E, Lexus & Netapp: How the 49ers use Football for Good

Lexus, NetApp and PG&E Corporation Foundation are now supporting the San Francisco 49ers in its movement for collective good. 

Faithful to the Planet was founded in 2023 as a partner coalition dedicated to sustainability and environmental conservation with members from a wide range of industries. 

Since its founding, more than US$100,000 has been committed through the programme to global environmental organisations. 

“What began as an ambitious vision has grown into an impactful movement, fuelled by the shared commitment to environmentalism between our corporate partners and the 49ers,” said Ryan Connors, Senior Director, Global Partnerships Sales & Strategy for the 49ers.

“In addition to the lasting impact being made to these projects, our coalition has evolved to where our FTTP members are joining together to attend sustainability summits and local volunteer efforts, while also collaborating on joint retail promotions and connecting on global impact efforts. 

“We’re proud to have established a model for sustainability in professional sports and look forward to continuing our efforts to benefit the planet alongside our partners.”

The programme supports three organisations: Save the Redwoods League, Plastic Fischer and Trees for the Future.

Save the Redwoods League

Save the Redwoods League is a nonprofit organisation with a mission to protect and restore coast redwood and giant sequoia trees. 

Also known as California redwood, these trees are evergreen and can live more than 2,200 years.

Some of the tallest living trees on Earth are of this species, reaching up to 115.9 metres in height. 

The League looks to preemptively purchase development rights of areas with these forests to protect the trees. 

Founded in 1918, it has protected more than 220,000 acres of land in the redwood range and created 66 parks for people to enjoy. 

The 49ers and its partners have collectively restored 333,538 square feet of redwoods. 

Plastic Fischer

Around 80% of plastic in oceans comes from rivers.

Plastic Fischer looks to remove plastic from rivers before it ever makes it that far.

It has collected more than two million kilograms of river plastic across 43 impact sites, along with creating 76 full time jobs for locals in India and Indonesia where it operates. 

The 49ers and its partners have removed 71,669 pounds of ocean-bound plastic from rivers through Plastic Fischer.

Trees for the Future

This nonprofit organisation trains farmers around the world in agroforestry and sustainable land use. 

It has been recognised as a UN World Restoration Flagship, marking it as one of the best large-scale ecosystem restoration efforts in the world. 

Since its founding in 1989, it has helped to plant around 370 million trees and restore 41,000 acres of land. 

Trees for the Future says it is on track to plant one billion trees by 2030. 

The 49ers and its partners have planted 91,807 trees across Africa through Trees for the Future. 

Organisations involved in Faithful to the Planet

Lexus, NetApp and PG&E Corporation Foundation are in good company in this coalition. 

Dollar Donation Club powers the coalition’s charitable giving, a charity focussed on uniting people to form the world’s first “collective super-philanthropist”. 

Seth Blaustein, Founder & CEO of Dollar Donation Club, said: “We’re proud to partner with Faithful to the Planet because these companies aren’t just talking the talk — they’re taking meaningful action together!”

In 2023, SAP, Toyota, Levi’s, PepsiCo, United Airlines, Anheuser-Busch and Cadence got involved. 

“We are pleased to partner with the 49ers on our shared value of sustainability and climate innovation,” said Nicole Johnson, Global Director of Social Impact & Employee Engagement at Cadence. 

“Our goals of reducing emissions — for ourselves, our customers and our partner organisations — are something we consider every day, and we are thrilled to support the 49ers in their efforts to do so as well.” 

Delta Dental, JDE Peet’s and Avery Dennison got involved in 2024, bringing the 49ers’ partner total up to 12. 

Explore the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE. 

Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.

Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand