As You Sow was founded in 1992 and has grown into two programs that strive to increase corporate accountability. The Environmental Enforcement Program seeks to reduce and remove carcinogenic exposures by pursuing compliance with California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. Our Environmental Enforcement Program has reached settlements with hundreds of companies resulting in products being relabeled or reformulated to remove hazardous ingredients. Restitution secured through this work is disbursed through grants to support community-based organizations also fighting toxics contamination and exposures throughout the state.

In 1997, As You Sow launched the Corporate Social Responsibility Program (CSRP) to use shareholder advocacy and the financial markets to catalyze positive change within publicly held companies. We have led or actively participated in shareholder dialogues and resolutions moving companies towards greater environmental sustainability and social equity. This program accepts foundation grants and individual donations.