Defenders of Wildlife Partners With Apparel Web Store to Raise Funds, Awareness

DES MOINES, Iowa, March 10, 2009 — Greater Than Goods, an online store for cause-related apparel that makes a difference, has signed its first partner of nationwide stature, Defenders of Wildlife.

Defenders of Wildlife (www.defenders.org) is a leader in science-based, results-oriented wildlife conservation. Founded in 1947, the Washington-based organization was named “America’s Best Wildlife Charity” by Reader’s Digest and numbers among Worth magazine’s Top 100 Charities. It is known especially for its work championing protections for endangered species and its role in reintroducing the gray wolf to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho.

Greater Than Goods uses its combination e-shopping and e-sharing site, www.greaterthangoods.com, to fashion a new revenue stream and communication channel for nonprofits. By creating, promoting and selling cause-related, socially relevant apparel and fashions, the online store both raises money for partners and provides a platform for nonprofits and web visitors to share experiences and insights.

“Greater Than Goods team members are enthused about dedicating their time, talent and energy to understanding and expressing the needs of worthwhile causes nationwide,” said Sigler Companies president Beth Cross. “Defenders of Wildlife is a good fit as our first nationwide partner because of our mutual understanding of how a shared experience positively affects those involved, making them feel a part of an organization or a good cause.”

Greater Than Goods’ original design for Defenders of Wildlife appears on an earthy green, eco-friendly Alternative Apparel shirt. The T-shirt features a montage of endangered wildlife that has been the focus of Defenders’ special projects. Each online purchase will generate a $5 donation to help protect endangered wildlife and plants through action and education.

“By buying and wearing these great T-shirts, wildlife lovers can put their heart on their sleeve and their cause on their chest for everyone to see. This is not simply a T-shirt, but a statement and a commitment that helps wildlife and our planet,” said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife.

Since its founding last summer, Greater Than Goods has become actively involved in its home community in the Heartland, but Defenders of Wildlife is the first high profile organization the venture has signed on to help. Greater Than Goods actively seeks to partner with nonprofits that align with its target audiences and market positioning.

There is no charge to participating nonprofits for partnering with Greater Than Goods. Organizations simply are urged to help promote the web store to their constituency in a mutual pursuit of growing a wider community of giving. Partnerships ranging from reciprocal website links or distribution of customized content can be tailored to fit each organization’s communication channels.

Besides helping Defenders of Wildlife protect endangered species and preserve natural habitats, the partnership will help grow a community of cause-minded individuals.

“We are honored to join the Defenders in its efforts to educate, motivate, promote — and ultimately underwrite — conservation efforts,” said Cross. “Greater Than Goods was launched with a vision to come together to make a difference, and we count this as a milestone.”