Who We Are
Our Founding Belief
In the world today we are facing many complex environmental, social and cultural problems with an unknown number of potential solutions. To address these problems, and start to reduce their impacts in meaningful ways, businesses play a central role when they are driven by, and structured for, purpose, not extracting maximum profit. While many business leaders understand this, their businesses operate in a legal and cultural context that requires profit extraction and maximization, undermining the benefit, impact and resilience, of their business.
Our Purpose
Purpose Trust Partners was founded to steward the conditions for people to create and scale purpose driven organizations that tackle the complex problems of our time, putting equity and climate challenges at the center of that purpose. We see Perpetual Purpose Trusts (PPTs) as a structural solution for business to operate as a force for good.
Our Mission
Help companies operate as a force for good, directing profit and power towards what matters most— environmental stewardship, equity and long-term prosperity — protecting the people we love and the place we call home.
Our Six Guiding Principles
1. Lead with curiosity (opens space for emergence)
2. Practice generative conflict (what we resist, persists)
3. Hold co-creation with, not power over (strong I’s make strong We’s)
4. Cultivate abundance to play & experiment (learn what works, not what is “right”)
5. Embrace paradox (Be open to a middle way)
6. Empower symbiotic relationships (let go of what doesn’t serve the whole
Theory of Change
Our Partners
Arielle Goodman - Partner
Arielle is a proud first-generation woman entrepreneur who is lucky to call the Driftless home. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the George Washington University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. With over a decade of organizing and facilitation experience, she has been trained in cutting edge methodologies such as MIT’s ‘ulab’ as well as Harvard’s ‘Immunity to Change.’ Arielle has facilitated engagements and change processes in a wide range of sectors ranging from aviation to state agencies to international development. She cares deeply about people and our planet and is excited about innovative ways to create meaningful experiences for those she serves, Purpose Trusts being one of those mechanisms.
Aaron Aslin - Partner
Aaron Aslin has 15 years of executive and managerial experience in the consumer packaged goods industry where he was responsible for leading small and large cross-functional teams to deliver P&Ls ranging from $6MM to $180MM. He has successfully launched two startup food ventures and serves as the Board Treasurer for the Viroqua Chamber of Commerce. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from California State University Fullerton.
Legal Partner
Scholz Nonprofit Law serves the needs of nonprofits, businesses and social entrepreneurs by providing practical legal and strategic advice. With Purpose Trust Partners, Scholz attorneys provide legal support for businesses making the transition to Perpetual Purpose Trust ownership structure.
Nonprofit Fiscal Sponsor, Events Partner
Driftless Curiosity (DC) is a nonprofit organization focused on hands-on educational programs, immersive experiences, and community events that encourages individuals to explore and connect with the unique natural landscapes of the Driftless Area. With Purpose Trust Partners, DC acts as fiscal sponsor, supporting non-profit funded Purpose Trust educational workshops, webinars, educational events and subsidized coaching.
Culture Partner
Unlimited Boundaries (UB) is a women owned and women led culture consultancy specializing in helping teams overcome the human barriers that get in the way of acheiving what they say they want to do. With Purpose Trust Partners, UB provides the cultural consulting support for businesses making the transition to the Perpetual Purpose Trust ownership stucture.
Now recruiting partners for Perpetual Purpose Trust transactions.
If you’re interested in supporting businesses transitioning to Perpetual Purpose Trusts we would love to talk.