The Vegan Society
The Vegan Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting veganism. It was founded in November 1944 in the United Kingdom and is recognized as one of the oldest vegan organizations in the world. The society's primary goal is to advocate for veganism as a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practical, all forms of exploitation and cruelty to animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose.
As a non-profit organization, The Vegan Society operates with the objective of advancing its mission rather than generating profits. Its focus is on educating and raising awareness about the ethical, environmental, and health benefits of a vegan lifestyle. The society provides resources, information, and support to individuals interested in adopting a vegan lifestyle and helps them navigate various aspects of vegan living, including nutrition, cooking, and product choices.
The Vegan Society is funded through various sources, including membership fees, donations, grants, and merchandise sales. The funds received are used to support the society's programs, initiatives, and campaigns aimed at promoting veganism, conducting research, publishing educational materials, and organizing events and outreach activities.
As a non-profit organization, The Vegan Society operates with transparency and accountability. It is governed by a board of trustees or directors who oversee its activities and ensure adherence to its mission and values. Financial reporting and disclosure are important aspects of its operations, allowing members, supporters, and the public to have visibility into the organization's finances and how funds are utilized to further its objectives.
The non-profit status of The Vegan Society reinforces its commitment to serving the vegan community and advocating for animal rights and welfare. It allows the society to focus on its mission-driven activities and engage in advocacy work without the pressure of maximizing profits or benefiting private individuals or shareholders.
This is a benchmark to help companies understand which standards should be part of a sustainable procurement plan. Further, the benchmark allows standard setting schemes, i.e. "Standard Owners", to benchmark their performance versus industry peers.