Rainforest Action Network
Rainforest Action Network is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1985, that runs research-driven corporate and financial-institution campaigns to end deforestation, fossil fuel financing, and human rights abuses, partnering with Indigenous and frontline communities across 60+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Rainforest Action Network does
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1985 and headquartered in San Francisco, with a regional program office in Tokyo (RAN Japan) and a donation-processing mail facility in Roseville, California. The organization campaigns to protect forests, address climate change driven by fossil fuel extraction and financing, and defend the rights of Indigenous and frontline communities. Its work spans over 60 countries and 6 continents, engaging corporate and financial-institution targets through research, direct action, coalition campaigns, and high-level corporate negotiations.
RAN's core "products" are not software but a portfolio of annual research publications, evaluation tools, grant programs, and advocacy platforms. The flagship is the Banking on Climate Chaos annual report (16th edition in 2026), co-authored with Sierra Club, Reclaim Finance, and Urgewald, which tracks fossil fuel financing across 65 of the world's largest banks and has documented $8.7 trillion in cumulative financing since the Paris Agreement. Complementary offerings include the Banking on Biodiversity Collapse report (tracking forest-risk commodity financing), the Keep Forests Standing Scorecard (evaluating brand deforestation policies), the Community Action Grants Program (over $8 million distributed across 1,200+ grants to frontline communities since 1993), The Understory blog, and the Leuser Watch monitoring platform. Underlying technology is a WordPress-based digital presence, Stripe and PayPal-powered donation infrastructure, Engaging Networks for email and petitions, and standard analytics tooling (Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity).
RAN's revenue model is donation-based across three streams: individual contributions (monthly recurring gifts from $25 to $750+ and one-time donations, with more than 77% of donations directed to programs), institutional/foundation grants managed through a dedicated [email protected] channel, and planned giving (bequests, charitable gift annuities, IRA/401(k) beneficiary designations, and donor-advised funds). It holds top-tier nonprofit accountability ratings from Charity Navigator (4-star), Candid (Platinum), CharityWatch (Top-Rated), and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. The organization is governed by a 12-member independent Board of Directors, has no parent company, and is led by Executive Director Ginger Cassady, Deputy Executive Director Njambi Good, and CFO Elisabeth Williams.
Rainforest Action Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rainforest Action Network
- Legal name
- Rainforest Action Network
- Website
- https://ran.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Rainforest Action Network is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1985, that runs research-driven corporate and financial-institution campaigns to end deforestation, fossil fuel financing, and human rights abuses, partnering with Indigenous and frontline communities across 60+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rainforest Action Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Advocacy Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Policy, Advocacy & Litigation (BPAGAGAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
Keywords
Where Rainforest Action Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Rainforest Action Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Direct donations from individual supporters via online platform, monthly recurring gifts, and one-time contributions. More than 77% of donations go directly to programs.
- Institutional/Foundation Funding: Grants from foundations and institutional funders who support RAN's mission. Contact: [email protected]
- Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable gift annuities, beneficiary designations from IRA/401(k), life insurance, and donor-advised funds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Giving Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | One-Time Donation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Rainforest Action Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that runs corporate accountability campaigns, publishes research on environmental and human rights issues affecting forests, climate, and Indigenous communities, and directs financial resources to frontline community organizations. It pressures corporations and financial institutions to change practices tied to deforestation, fossil fuel expansion, and human rights abuses, while supporting grassroots action through grants and coalition-building.
Product overview
Rainforest Action Network is a nonprofit advocacy organization (501(c)(3), EIN 94-3045180) that operates a portfolio of campaigns, research reports, and grant programs rather than a traditional tech product. Core offerings include the annual Banking on Climate Chaos and Banking on Biodiversity Collapse research reports tracking financial sector environmental impacts; the Keep Forests Standing Scorecard evaluating corporate deforestation policies; the Community Action Grants Program providing direct funding to frontline communities; The Understory blog for campaign news; Leuser Watch watchdog platform; and the Forests & Finance Coalition tracking bank financing of deforestation. RAN Japan extends this work regionally. The organization focuses on advocacy, grassroots organizing, corporate campaigning, and research dissemination rather than software products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Banking on Climate Chaos: Annual report tracking global bank fossil fuel financing, published jointly with partner NGOs including Sierra Club, Reclaim Finance, and Urgewald
- Banking on Biodiversity Collapse
- Community Action Grants
- Keep Forests Standing Scorecard
- The Panther
Products and services
- Community Action Grants Program A grantmaking program that provides financial resources to frontline and Indigenous community organizations working to protect forests, climate, and human rights. Supports grassroots campaigns led by impacted communities.
- Banking on Climate Chaos Report An annual research publication that documents fossil fuel financing by major banks, exposing the financial institutions backing fossil fuel expansion and their role in the climate crisis.
- Keep Forests Standing Scorecard An evaluation tool that scores major consumer goods and palm oil companies on their deforestation-free commitments, supply chain transparency, and forest protection performance.
- Leuser Watch An advocacy and monitoring initiative focused on protecting the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia, by tracking threats to the forest and pushing corporations and policymakers to safeguard it.
- Forests & Finance Coalition A coalition platform that brings together NGOs to track and challenge financial institutions and corporations financing deforestation-linked commodities such as palm oil, soy, and beef.
- RAN Japan Regional program focused on engaging Japanese corporations, financial institutions, and consumers on forest protection, climate, and human rights issues across Asia.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $8 million distributed to 1,200+ frontline community grants since 1993
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Rainforest Action Network
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rainforest Action Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Rainforest Action Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Reclaim FinancecoreCo-authored the Banking on Climate Chaos 2026 report alongside RAN, working together to track and expose global bank financing of fossil fuels.
- UrgewaldcoreGerman-based NGO co-authoring Banking on Climate Chaos reports and filing human rights complaints against financial institutions enabling fossil fuel and LNG projects.
- Sierra ClubcoreCo-author of the Banking on Climate Chaos report (16th edition), working jointly on climate finance research and advocacy.
- Forests and Finance CoalitioncoreCoalition tracking financial sector financing of forest destruction. RAN contributes research and reports including Banking on Biodiversity Collapse.
- Better BrazoriaminorTexas-based community organization partnering with RAN to oppose Freeport LNG and demand Japanese banks defund fossil fuel projects affecting Gulf Coast communities.
- Freeport Haven ProjectminorCommunity organization working with RAN to hold Japanese financial institutions accountable for funding LNG export facilities impacting Texas communities.
- Global Alliance for the Future of FoodminorStrategic alliance of philanthropic foundations collaborating to transform food systems. RAN board member Anna Lappé serves as Executive Director.
- Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (YEL)coreIndonesian partner receiving $20,000 grant in 2023 to support long-term conservation of Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve in the Leuser Ecosystem.
- Conservación Alto AmazonasminorPeruvian organization receiving $12,500 grant in 2023 to support Yurua communities within the Alto Purús Landscape in the upper Amazon.
- 7 Directions of ServiceminorOrganization receiving $8,200 grant in 2023 to support Gulf South Indigenous delegation traveling to Water Walk in North Carolina.
- YasunidosminorEcuadorian organization receiving $10,000 grant in 2023 to support national campaign for referendum to keep oil fields in the ground.
- Pomo Land BackminorOrganization receiving $10,000 grant in 2023 to support oral histories and cultural landscape documentation in Jackson Demonstration State Forest.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rainforest Action Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 350.org: Global grassroots climate movement focused on ending fossil fuel use; shares RAN's anti-fossil-fuel-financing and movement-led pressure on financial institutions.
- Greenpeace: Global environmental advocacy nonprofit using direct action, research, and corporate campaigns — the closest direct peer to RAN's corporate-campaigning model against deforestation and fossil fuel financing.
- Sierra Club: Major U.S. environmental nonprofit and active co-author of Banking on Climate Chaos; shares climate-finance advocacy and grassroots organizing with RAN.
- Amazon Watch: NGO focused specifically on protecting the Amazon rainforest and Indigenous rights — RAN's Leuser and forest campaigns share direct strategic overlap on tropical deforestation and rights.
- Friends of the Earth: International environmental advocacy network focused on corporate accountability for deforestation, climate, and human rights — directly comparable to RAN's campaign portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Global conservation incumbent with corporate-partnership and supply-chain deforestation programs (e.g., forest-risk commodities); competes for the same foundation funding and corporate-accountability space.
- Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): Major U.S. environmental group combining market-based mechanisms and corporate engagement on climate; overlaps with RAN's finance-sector climate work and corporate campaigning.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Larger, broader U.S. environmental nonprofit operating across climate, energy, and conservation with both advocacy and litigation — overlaps RAN's fossil-fuel finance and forest work at scale.
Emerging players
- ClientEarth: Environmental law NGO using strategic litigation against corporations and governments; an emerging complement to RAN's corporate-accountability and human-rights complaint work.
Others
- Forest and Finance Coalition (forestsandfinance.org): Multi-NGO coalition tracking financial flows behind deforestation; RAN contributes research and hosts the Banking on Biodiversity Collapse report — enabling ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Rainforest Action Network social profiles
Digital presenceRainforest Action Network compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Rainforest Action Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rainforest Action Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Rainforest Action Network subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Rainforest Action Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rainforest Action Network 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 Rainforest Action Network
What does Rainforest Action Network do?
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that runs corporate accountability campaigns, publishes research on environmental and human rights issues affecting forests, climate, and Indigenous communities, and directs financial resources to frontline community organizations. It pressures corporations and financial institutions to change practices tied to deforestation, fossil fuel expansion, and human rights abuses, while supporting grassroots action through grants and coalition-building.
Is Rainforest Action Network a public or private company?
Rainforest Action Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Rainforest Action Network founded?
Rainforest Action Network was founded in 1985. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Rainforest Action Network based?
Rainforest Action Network is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rainforest Action Network make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are institutional/Foundation Funding and planned Giving.
Who are Rainforest Action Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 350.org, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Amazon Watch and Friends of the Earth. Broad incumbents are World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). ClientEarth is listed as an emerging player. Forest and Finance Coalition (forestsandfinance.org) is listed as an others.
Does Rainforest Action Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rainforest Action Network.
What industry is Rainforest Action Network in?
Rainforest Action Network's product category is Environmental Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAG, Environmental Policy, Advocacy & Litigation, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAD, Forestry & Reforestation. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.