American Rivers
American Rivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 and headquartered in Washington, DC, that runs the America's Most Endangered Rivers® campaign, a dam removal initiative, and a national river cleanup program to protect and restore U.S. rivers across all 50 states, funded by individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What American Rivers does
American Rivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1973 and headquartered in Washington, DC. Its mission is to ensure every river in the United States is clean and healthy for people and wildlife, operating across all 50 states through an integrated set of programs: the America's Most Endangered Rivers® annual report campaign (published since 1986), the National River Cleanup® volunteer initiative, the Dam Removal Initiative (targeting 30,000 obsolete dams by 2050), the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, the Clean Water Initiative, and the Natural Floodplains Program. The organization combines national advocacy with field work in priority river basins and runs the We Are Rivers podcast and American Rivers Films content platforms.
Core deliverables include the interactive Dam Removal Map (a proprietary tracking tool for dam removals across the U.S.), annual endangered-rivers reporting, scientific white papers such as 'Where Rivers Are Born' (January 2026), and a multi-channel content engine spanning blog, email, SMS action alerts, and social media. Notable technology assets are limited to mapping tools and relational databases — there is no public or partner API. American Rivers also operates a peer-exchange program in which municipal water authorities learn green stormwater infrastructure implementation from peer jurisdictions (e.g., Clayton County, GA → Seattle, WA).
Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic channels: individual donations and recurring memberships, planned/legacy giving, corporate partnerships and employer matching, foundation grants (most notably a record $10M grant from the James M. Cox Foundation in November 2025 and $9.27M from USDA in October 2024), and a modest merchandise channel operated through bonfire.com (T-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs). The customer/beneficiary base spans individual supporters, Tribal Nations (Karuk, Yurok, Klamath, Nez Perce, Yakama, CTUIR, Eastern Band Cherokee), federal/state agencies, local municipalities, and peer conservation NGOs, with the $100M 'Life Depends on Rivers' capital campaign driving current fundraising momentum under President and CEO Tom Kiernan.
American Rivers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Rivers
- Legal name
- American Rivers, Inc.
- Website
- https://americanrivers.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- American Rivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 and headquartered in Washington, DC, that runs the America's Most Endangered Rivers® campaign, a dam removal initiative, and a national river cleanup program to protect and restore U.S. rivers across all 50 states, funded by individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Rivers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- River Conservation and Watershed Restoration Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE), River & Wetland Ecotours (Canoe/Kayak, Mangrove/Swamp Tours) (THAAAEAE)
Keywords
Where American Rivers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
American Rivers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations and Membership: Individual donors contribute through one-time donations, monthly giving programs, membership renewals, and legacy giving arrangements. This forms the core grassroots funding base for river conservation efforts.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and mugs through bonfire.com online store, generating revenue while promoting river conservation awareness.
- Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations such as the $10 million James M. Cox Foundation gift, representing the largest donation in American Rivers' history to support river conservation across all 50 states.
- Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Charitable planned giving through wills or trusts, donor advised funds, and other legacy giving mechanisms that provide long-term financial support for river conservation.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate giving programs including employer matching gifts, corporate sponsorships, and collaborative partnerships with businesses committed to river protection.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Branded merchandise items for supporters |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
American Rivers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
American Rivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that protects and restores rivers across all 50 states. It delivers advocacy, on-the-ground restoration projects, dam removal coordination, wild and scenic river designation support, and public education campaigns aimed at safeguarding freshwater ecosystems.
Product overview
American Rivers is a nonprofit conservation organization with a single integrated mission focused on river protection, restoration, and clean water advocacy. The organization operates several interconnected programs: the flagship America's Most Endangered Rivers® annual report campaign drives policy advocacy; the Dam Removal Initiative targets obsolete infrastructure; the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program pursues federal protections; the Clean Water Program protects drinking water sources; and the Natural Floodplains Program restores floodplain connectivity. Supporting programs include the National River Cleanup® volunteer initiative, the We Are Rivers Podcast, American Rivers Films documentary content, and a merchandise store (via Bonfire platform). Together, these programs form a unified approach to achieving the organization's goals of protecting 1 million river miles, removing 30,000 harmful dams, and ensuring clean water for every community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- America's Most Endangered Rivers®: An annual report published by American Rivers since 1986 that identifies rivers facing critical environmental threats and calls for action to protect them.
- National River Cleanup®
- Life Depends on Rivers®
- American Rivers Action Fund
Products and services
- Dam Removal Initiative
- Wild and Scenic Rivers Program
- Clean Water Program
- Natural Floodplains Program
- America's Most Endangered Rivers
- National River Cleanup
Quantifiable outcome
- Removed 100 dams in 2025 alone, reconnecting 4,893 miles of river
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use American Rivers
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
American Rivers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
American Rivers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Wildlife Federation Action FundcoreAmerican Rivers Action Fund worked alongside National Wildlife Federation Action Fund and Texans for Opportunity to support the Texas ballot initiative for $20 billion water infrastructure investment, a bipartisan victory demonstrating effective coalition building for water policy.
- Surfrider FoundationcoreCollaborated with Surfrider Foundation and Un Mar de Colores on the Tijuana River toxic pollution campaign, which helped catalyze federal action and a landmark U.S.-Mexico agreement to address border water quality issues.
- Friends of the Teton RivercoreLongstanding partnership in Teton Valley working with conservationists, farmers, and communities on practical water solutions that support agriculture while protecting and restoring Teton River health.
- Trout UnlimitedcorePartnership with Trout Unlimited's Idaho chapter on Teton River conservation and restoration efforts, combining expertise in fisheries and river management.
- Nez Perce TribecoreThe Nez Perce Tribe is a central leader in restoring Snake River basin salmon runs, working with American Rivers on the effort to remove four federal dams on the lower Snake River for what would be the biggest river and salmon restoration effort in history.
- Karuk TribecoreThe Karuk Tribe has led efforts alongside American Rivers and other tribes to remove four dams on the Klamath River to restore salmon runs and improve water quality, with dam demolition beginning in 2023.
- Yurok TribecorePartner in the historic Klamath River dam removal effort, working to restore salmon habitat and water quality for the tribe's cultural and economic wellbeing.
- NACWAminorPartnered with National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) on joint briefing about U.S. water infrastructure challenges, presenting policy and financing solutions alongside American Rivers.
- HRSDminorHampton Roads Sanitation District collaborated with American Rivers and other organizations on water infrastructure modernization briefing, presenting case studies of successful water infrastructure efforts.
- Clayton County Water AuthorityminorAmerican Rivers co-sponsored peer exchange from Clayton County, Georgia to Seattle, Washington to learn about green stormwater infrastructure implementation, supporting the county's effort to improve water quality and reduce flooding.
- Texans for OpportunityminorCoalition partner in Texas water infrastructure ballot initiative campaign, working together to secure the $20 billion state investment in water resources.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
American Rivers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Trout Unlimited: National nonprofit focused on coldwater fisheries and river conservation, with active dam removal and river restoration work. Direct partner of American Rivers on the Teton River and overlapping on angler-driven river protection across the U.S.
- Surfrider Foundation: Water-focused nonprofit protecting oceans, waves, and beaches — including rivers and coastal watersheds. Active collaborator with American Rivers on the Tijuana River toxic pollution campaign, sharing a community-led advocacy model.
- Waterkeeper Alliance: Global network of clean water advocates focused on protecting waterways via grassroots organizing and litigation. Closely comparable mission to American Rivers' clean water and river protection work, with overlapping grassroots advocacy model.
- River Network: National nonprofit that supports local river and watershed groups across the U.S. Highly comparable mission to American Rivers in empowering community-led water protection and connecting grassroots water organizations.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy: Largest global environmental nonprofit with major freshwater and river programs, including dam removal and watershed protection. Operates more broadly than American Rivers and at significantly larger scale, competing for major donor and foundation dollars.
- Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest U.S. environmental organizations, with active river and water advocacy programs. Competes with American Rivers for grassroots members, donor support, and policy influence at the federal level.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Major environmental advocacy organization with significant clean water and river protection work, including legal action and federal policy engagement. Competes for foundation grants and policy influence in overlapping water-quality domains.
- National Wildlife Federation: Large U.S. conservation nonprofit with active freshwater, fish habitat, and dam removal work. Direct coalition partner with American Rivers on the Texas water infrastructure ballot initiative and broader advocacy campaigns.
Emerging players
- Earthjustice: Leading environmental law organization that litigates on Clean Water Act, dam removal, and river protection issues. Adjacent rather than direct — uses legal advocacy rather than community organizing, but competes for donor attention in the same impact areas.
Regional players
- Izaak Walton League of America: Historic conservation nonprofit focused on waterways, fisheries, and outdoor ethics. Overlaps with American Rivers on river conservation, dam removal, and water-quality monitoring, with a more club-based grassroots footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American Rivers social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Rivers compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
American Rivers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Rivers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
American Rivers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Rivers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Rivers
What does American Rivers do?
American Rivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that protects and restores rivers across all 50 states. It delivers advocacy, on-the-ground restoration projects, dam removal coordination, wild and scenic river designation support, and public education campaigns aimed at safeguarding freshwater ecosystems.
Is American Rivers a public or private company?
American Rivers is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Rivers founded?
American Rivers was founded in 1973. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is American Rivers based?
American Rivers is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Rivers make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations and Membership is the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, foundation Grants, planned Giving and Estate Gifts and corporate Partnerships.
Who are American Rivers's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Trout Unlimited, Surfrider Foundation, Waterkeeper Alliance and River Network. Broad incumbents are The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Wildlife Federation. Earthjustice is listed as an emerging player. Izaak Walton League of America is listed as a regional player.
Does American Rivers have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Rivers.
What industry is American Rivers in?
American Rivers's product category is River Conservation and Watershed Restoration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAK, Water Resources & Watershed Protection, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAE, Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater). Its NAICS code is 92412 and its SIC code is 4941.