What Raincoast Conservation Foundation does

Raincoast Conservation Foundation is a science-based nonprofit conservation organization headquartered in Sidney, British Columbia, founded in 1990. It investigates, informs, and inspires action to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal British Columbia, with operational focus on the Great Bear Rainforest, the Salish Sea, and the Lower Fraser River. Its work spans wild salmon recovery, Southern Resident killer whale conservation, wolf and grizzly bear protection, forest conservation, and water quality research, conducted in long-standing partnership with Coastal First Nations including Heiltsuk, Gitga'at, Haida, and Haisla Nations.

The organization's core technical assets include the 68-foot research sailing vessel SV Achiever used for approximately 10,000 nautical miles of annual marine surveys, a Conservation Genetics Lab, a Mobile Lab for field water quality work, and a Whale Sanctuary Listening Station for acoustic cetacean monitoring. A planned Re-Power Achiever hybrid electric propulsion upgrade is intended to reduce carbon footprint and underwater noise during cetacean research. Raincoast's team has produced over 600 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and the organization runs education programs including the Salish Sea Emerging Stewards youth expeditions, Coastal Insights virtual learning for BC schools, and the Raincoast Radio podcast.

Raincoast operates as a registered Canadian charity (#889643565 RR0001) funded through individual donations, research grants from foundations and government agencies, corporate partnerships (notably a Major-tier relationship with Patagonia), and product sales including Grizzly Bars and branded merchandise. It does not charge fees for its scientific or educational outputs. Distribution is primarily through its website, social media, peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, and direct engagement with Indigenous communities, academic institutions, and government policy bodies, with publications and media reaching an international audience.

Name

Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Legal name

Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Website

https://raincoast.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Raincoast Conservation Foundation is a science-based nonprofit that uses research, advocacy, and education to protect coastal British Columbia's lands, waters, and wildlife, serving Indigenous communities, academic and government partners, and individual donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Conservation Programs (924120)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

Keywords

• Conservation research
• Wildlife science
• Marine biology
• Environmental education
• Habitat protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Sidney

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Primary funding source from individual donors supporting conservation efforts. The organization operates as a registered charity in Canada (#889643565 RR0001) and issues tax receipts for donations.
2. Research Grants: Funding from foundations and government agencies to support specific research programs and conservation initiatives.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Support from corporate partners like Patagonia who fund conservation programs and research initiatives.
4. Product Sales: Sales of branded merchandise including Grizzly Bars (chocolate bars) with proceeds supporting conservation campaigns, and Raincoast store items.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Raincoast Conservation Foundation is a science-based nonprofit that conducts applied conservation research on coastal British Columbia's lands, waters, and wildlife. It operates a research sailing vessel (SV Achiever), runs conservation genetics and mobile labs, delivers youth education programs (Salish Sea Emerging Stewards, Coastal Insights), produces peer-reviewed scientific publications, and carries out advocacy and direct conservation interventions such as purchasing commercial hunting tenures to protect wildlife.

Product overview

Raincoast Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit conservation organization that operates as a single unified offering centered on applied conservation science. The organization combines research vessel operations (SV Achiever), education programs (Salish Sea Emerging Stewards, Coastal Insights, Teacher Resources), scientific publications, and advocacy. Key products include the 68-foot research sailing vessel SV Achiever used for marine mammal and bird surveys; the Salish Sea Emerging Stewards youth education program; the Coastal Insights online learning series; Raincoast Radio podcast; and various conservation programs covering salmon, wolves, cetaceans, forests, and coastal carnivores. The organization also produces peer-reviewed publications, reports, and educational video content including 360° immersive videos.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Salish Sea Emerging Stewards Program Environmental leadership program delivering free immersive five-day land-to-sea learning journeys aboard the SV Achiever through marine and terrestrial environments of coastal British Columbia, targeted at Indigenous, BPOC, and 2SLGBQT+ youth aged 19-29.
• Coastal Insights Online Learning Monthly live and interactive online learning series combining Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to help BC students in grades 4-12 understand the coast and conservation challenges.
• Raincoast Radio Podcast Seasonal podcast featuring stories about wildlife, conservation, and the Salish Sea, including the 'Of Wolves and Women' series.
• Grizzly Bars (Branded Conservation Merchandise) Branded chocolate bars produced in partnership with Denman Island Chocolate; proceeds support Raincoast's campaign to purchase commercial trophy hunting tenures in the Great Bear Rainforest.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ peer-reviewed scientific publications contributing to conservation policy
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• National GeographicmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021National Geographic sponsored the Fraser River Estuary 360° video educational series and has featured Raincoast's work in media content about the Great Bear Rainforest.
• Killer CreameryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Ice cream company partnered with Raincoast to raise funds for research and protection of Southern Resident killer whales through product sales.
• Gitga'at First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaincoast works closely with the Gitga'at Nation on marine conservation and research initiatives, including drift bottle studies to understand ocean currents and potential oil spill movement in their territory.
• Heiltsuk NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaincoast has partnered with the Heiltsuk Nation for over 15 years, supporting youth education and conducting research in Heiltsuk territory in the Great Bear Rainforest.
• Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal research institution that partnered with Raincoast and Indigenous communities to conduct drift bottle studies understanding ocean currents and oil spill risk on the BC coast.
• Coastal First Nations (Multiple)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaincoast maintains central relationships with multiple Indigenous communities including Gitga'at, Haida, Haisla, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai'xais, Metlakata, Old Masset Village, and Skidegate Band Councils for collaborative conservation.
• University of British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with UBC for conservation research, including Chris Darimont as Research Chair in Applied Conservation Science and collaborative studies on coastal ecosystems.
• University of VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with UVic's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, including Dr. Andrea Jane Reid as Assistant Professor of Indigenous Fisheries Science.
• Lighthouse Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVictoria-based brewery donated glass bottles for drift bottle research study conducted by Raincoast and partners to track ocean currents.
• Denman Island ChocolateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChocolate manufacturer partnered to create the Grizzly Bar, with proceeds supporting Raincoast's campaign to purchase commercial trophy hunting tenures.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• David Suzuki Foundation: Canadian science-based nonprofit focused on environmental conservation, climate action, and biodiversity protection. Comparable to Raincoast as a research-driven advocacy organization working in Canada, though with a national rather than BC-coastal geographic focus.
• Pacific Wild: BC-based conservation nonprofit focused on the Great Bear Rainforest and coastal wildlife protection. Directly comparable operating geography, Indigenous partnership model, and advocacy-driven science approach to Raincoast.
• The Nature Trust of British Columbia: BC-focused land conservation charity that acquires and manages natural areas for biodiversity. Comparable in mandate to protect BC ecosystems and in operating model as a registered charity dependent on donations and grants.
• Wilderness Committee: Western Canada-based environmental nonprofit working on wilderness protection, climate, and species conservation. Comparable as a BC/Canadian conservation advocacy and education organization with policy impact focus.
• Sierra Club BC: BC chapter of the Sierra Club focused on old-growth forests, biodiversity, and climate action. Directly comparable as a BC provincial conservation nonprofit combining research, advocacy, and education.
• Georgia Strait Alliance: BC-based nonprofit focused on the Salish Sea, nearshore ecosystem protection, and marine wildlife (including Southern Resident killer whales). Operates in the same waters and shares advocacy priorities with Raincoast.
• Hakai Institute: BC-based marine science and conservation research organization operating on the central and north Pacific coast. Highly comparable as a coastal BC marine/freshwater research institution publishing peer-reviewed science with field stations and Indigenous community engagement.

Broad incumbents

• WWF-Canada (World Wildlife Fund Canada): Canada's largest conservation organization, with major programs in Pacific marine ecosystems and salmon recovery that overlap directly with Raincoast's coastal BC work. Larger portfolio but overlapping peer-reviewed research and donor-base strategy.
• Ocean Wise Conservation Association: Larger Canadian marine conservation organization operating research, education, and aquarium programs across Canada. Overlap with Raincoast on cetacean research, marine protected areas, and ocean literacy initiatives.

Others

• Tides Canada Foundation: Canadian public foundation that provides fiscal sponsorship, grantmaking, and capacity support to environmental and social justice projects. Comparable as a Canadian environmental sector infrastructure organization that often supports or houses related conservation initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Raincoast
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfn2NtZEiT_VaBmYHmL2zyg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Raincoast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/raincoast-conservation-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/raincoastconservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Raincoast Conservation Foundation