American Rivers

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.

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

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

• River conservation
• Clean water advocacy
• Dam removal services
• Watershed protection
• Environmental nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate giving programs including employer matching gifts, corporate sponsorships, and collaborative partnerships with businesses committed to river protection.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Wildlife Federation Action FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican 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 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated 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 RivercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding 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 UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Trout Unlimited's Idaho chapter on Teton River conservation and restoration efforts, combining expertise in fisheries and river management.
• Nez Perce TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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 TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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 TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the historic Klamath River dam removal effort, working to restore salmon habitat and water quality for the tribe's cultural and economic wellbeing.
• NACWAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered 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.
• HRSDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHampton 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 AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican 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 OpportunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AmericanRivers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-rivers
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanrivers
• Facebookfacebook.com/americanrivers
• Xx.com/americanrivers

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Rivers