Friends of the Clearwater

What Friends of the Clearwater does

Friends of the Clearwater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and headquartered in Moscow, Idaho. It focuses on protecting wildlands in the north-central Idaho region, primarily within the Clearwater and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The organization operates with a small staff of approximately four and serves regional conservation stakeholders, the Nez Perce Tribe, partner NGOs, and the broader public who engage in federal forest management processes.

The organization's core products and activities include scientific reporting on forest ecosystems, the Big Wild campaign (comprising three sub-initiatives: Big Wild Campaign, Protecting the Wild, and Climate Forests), public-process advocacy on land management decisions, and litigation services in cases involving the Endangered Species Act and forest management plans. The underlying work product is human-driven research and legal advocacy rather than a technology platform, with no proprietary software, AI systems, or licensed technology products disclosed.

Its business model is funded primarily through individual memberships at $35/year (regular) and $20/year (student), recurring and one-time donations, and active fundraising campaigns including donor matches. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on grassroots volunteer programs, sustained partnerships with Earthjustice, the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, the Nez Perce Tribe, and dozens of additional conservation organizations, and direct engagement in regional public-land decision processes.

Name

Friends of the Clearwater

Legal name

Friends of the Clearwater

Website

https://friendsoftheclearwater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friends of the Clearwater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 in Moscow, Idaho, that protects wildlands in north-central Idaho through scientific reporting, public advocacy, and litigation, funded by individual memberships and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Moscow

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. Membership Dues and Donations: Friends of the Clearwater generates revenue primarily through membership dues ($35 annually for general membership, $20 for students/low-income) and voluntary donations. The organization also runs donation matching campaigns to incentivize contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Friends of the Clearwater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects public wildlands, forests, waterways, and wildlife in north-central Idaho through grassroots organizing, citizen education, advocacy campaigns, scientific reporting, and when necessary environmental litigation. It sells annual memberships and accepts donations to fund programs that have defended more than 1 million acres of roadless areas from logging and road building since 1987.

Product overview

Friends of the Clearwater is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization (not a software product company) that operates several interconnected programs: membership and newsletter subscriptions (The Defender), scientific research and reports, grassroots organizing and citizen advocacy tools, environmental litigation services, and the Big Wild campaign for wilderness protection. Founded in 1987, the organization focuses on protecting public wildlands in north-central Idaho through education, advocacy, and when necessary, litigation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Friends of the Clearwater Membership Program Annual membership program offering benefits including subscription to the Defender newsletter, with membership starting at $35/year ($20 for students/low-income), open to individuals who support wildlands protection in north-central Idaho.
• The Defender Newsletter Printed newsletter published twice per year and delivered to all dues-paying members, plus bi-monthly email updates, covering wilderness protection news, forest policy, and Clearwater Country conservation issues.
• Scientific Reports and Publications Comprehensive scientific reports on Clearwater River Basin issues including the Clearcut Kings Report, Roadless Report, Old Growth Report, and Clearwater Carbon Report, used to support advocacy, public education, and litigation efforts.
• Grassroots Organizing and Advocacy Citizen engagement program offering tools and training for contacting the Forest Service, writing letters to editors, submitting public comments, and volunteering on public lands policy campaigns in north-central Idaho.
• Environmental Litigation Services Legal advocacy coordinated with partner law firms to hold government agencies accountable for adhering to environmental laws, including Endangered Species Act enforcement and challenges to road-building and timber sale plans.
• The Big Wild Campaign Initiative campaign to protect the largest intact wildland preserve in the contiguous United States, with three sub-initiatives: Wild Salmon Sanctuary, Carnivore Corridors, and Wild Forests and Climate.
• The Macfarlane Plank Award Recognition program honoring activists who have devoted decades to protecting public wildlands, biodiversity, and natural processes in the Clearwater Basin and northern Rockies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stopped Cove-Mallard timber sales and helped protect remaining roadless wildlands throughout the national forest system
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• EarthjusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarthjustice is a prominent environmental law firm that Friends of the Clearwater works with to pursue litigation defending wildlands, endangered species, and environmental laws.
• Alliance for the Wild RockiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA regional conservation organization that Friends of the Clearwater collaborates with on wildlands protection efforts in the Northern Rockies.
• Nez Perce TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nez Perce Tribe is a key partner in protecting wildlands and salmon habitat. FOC has worked with the Tribe on issues including stopping mega-load transport and advocating for salmon recovery.
• Nimiipuu Protecting the EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA tribal nonprofit led by Julian Matthews, FOC board member, that works on environmental protection. FOC collaborates with this organization on issues affecting Nimiipuu treaty rights and ancestral lands.
• Idaho Conservation LeaguemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIdaho's oldest statewide conservation organization; FOC works with ICL on shared goals including protecting roadless areas and wild rivers.
• Advocates for the WestmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA conservation law firm that provides legal expertise and representation for Friends of the Clearwater in environmental litigation and advocacy.
• Center for Biological DiversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national organization focused on protecting species and habitats; FOC collaborates on issues affecting endangered wildlife in Idaho.
• Defenders of WildlifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national organization dedicated to protecting wild animals and their habitats; FOC works with Defenders on issues affecting wolves, grizzly bears, and other wildlife.
• Idaho Rivers UnitedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on protecting Idaho's rivers and waterways; FOC collaborates on river protection and salmon recovery efforts.
• Save Our Wild SalmonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA coalition working to protect and restore wild salmon populations; FOC participates in efforts to remove lower Snake River dams.
• Western Watersheds ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on protecting western watersheds from overgrazing and harmful land management practices; FOC collaborates on water quality and habitat issues.
• Wilderness WatchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe only nationwide organization dedicated solely to protection and proper stewardship of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
• Clearwater-Snake Trout UnlimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA local chapter of Trout Unlimited focused on protecting coldwater fisheries in the Clearwater and Snake River basins.
• Conservation CongressmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and forests in northern California and beyond; shares expertise and collaborates with FOC.
• Western Environmental Law CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA law firm providing legal expertise on environmental issues affecting the West.
• WildEarth GuardiansmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization working to protect and restore wildlife, wild places, and wild rivers in the American West.
• PatagoniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe outdoor apparel company Patagonia is listed as an ally of Friends of the Clearwater, likely providing support for conservation efforts.
• Blue Mountains Biodiversity ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization working to protect and restore ecosystems of the Blue Mountains and eastern Oregon.
• Friends of the BitterrootminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA regional conservation organization focused on protecting wildlands in the Bitterroot region.
• Friends of the Wild SwanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on protecting the Swan and Flathead regions of Montana.
• Selkirk Conservation AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization dedicated to keeping the Southern Selkirk Mountain ecosystem intact.
• WildWest InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA regional conservation organization that FOC has worked with on Forest Watch activities.
• Swan View CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization working to decommission harmful roads and cease unsustainable logging to benefit native fish and wildlife.
• Kootenai Environmental AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn environmental organization serving northern Idaho and surrounding regions.
• Great Old Broads for WildernessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national organization of women dedicated to protecting wilderness and wildlands.
• Grizzly TimesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on grizzly bear conservation that awarded FOC's Gary Macfarlane the first Hero Award.
• Endangered Species CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national coalition working to protect endangered species and their habitats.
• Idaho Sierra ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Idaho chapter of the Sierra Club, working on conservation issues statewide.
• Gallatin Wildlife AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA wildlife conservation organization in the Gallatin region of Montana.
• Greater Hells Canyon CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization dedicated to protecting Hells Canyon and surrounding wildlands.
• The Wilderness Society - IdahominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Idaho chapter of The Wilderness Society, working to protect wilderness and wildlands.
• Anthropocene AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization working on environmental justice and conservation issues.
• Buffalo Field CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization dedicated to protecting wild buffalo and their habitat.
• Predator DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on protecting native carnivores.
• The John Muir ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization working to protect old-growth forests.
• The Conservation AnglerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on protecting fish habitat and aquatic ecosystems.
• Native Forests CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization dedicated to protecting native forests on public lands.
• Great Bear FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on protecting grizzly bears and their habitat.
• Gallatin Yellowstone Wilderness AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization working to protect wilderness in the Gallatin and Yellowstone areas.
• LighthawkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization providing aerial perspective for conservation efforts.
• Forest Service Employees Environmental EthicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization of Forest Service employees focused on environmental ethics.
• Public Employees Environmental ResponsibilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization for public employees concerned about environmental issues.
• Save America's ForestsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national organization working to protect America's forests.
• Seeds of PeaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on dialogue and conflict resolution.
• Yellowstone to Uintas ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization connecting conservation efforts across the Yellowstone to Uintas region.
• Western Slope No-Fee CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization opposing fees on public lands.
• WildLands DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization dedicated to protecting wildlands from development.
• Idaho Native Plant Society - White Pine ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA local chapter focused on protecting native plants in the White Pine region.
• Spokane Falls - Trout UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA local chapter of Trout Unlimited in the Spokane area.
• Center Environmental Law & PolicyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA center focused on environmental law and policy issues.
• HeartwoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on protecting forests in the Central Hardwoods region.
• Indigenous Environmental NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA network of Indigenous peoples focused on environmental justice issues.
• Kentucky HeartwoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization focused on protecting Kentucky's forests and natural areas.
• Center for Sustainable EconomyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn economic research organization that prepared the Clearwater Carbon Report analyzing climate impacts of the Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest Plan.
• EarthjusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarthjustice provided press release coverage for FOC's victory in the Bitterroot Road Building Plan lawsuit, which ruled in favor of conservation groups.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alliance for the Wild Rockies: A Northern Rockies regional conservation nonprofit that litigates and advocates for roadless area and wilderness protection in Idaho and Montana. Direct peer: shares overlapping geography in the Nez Perce-Clearwater region and is an explicit partner of Friends of the Clearwater.
• Wilderness Watch: The only nationwide organization dedicated solely to stewardship of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Direct peer: explicitly listed as a major partner of FOC and shares the same advocacy and litigation posture on wilderness degradation.
• WildEarth Guardians: Western-focused nonprofit that protects wildlife, wild places, and wild rivers through litigation and grassroots advocacy. Direct peer: a named FOC partner pursuing overlapping carnivore, river, and forest campaigns.
• Save Our Wild Salmon: Coalition working to protect and restore wild salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia-Snake river system, including lower Snake River dam removal advocacy. Direct peer: a major FOC partner sharing salmon-recovery and river-protection priorities in the same Clearwater basin.
• Idaho Conservation League: Idaho's oldest statewide conservation organization, working on forest, roadless, and river protection across the state. Direct peer: FOC lists ICL as a major partner and they jointly advocate on roadless areas and wild rivers policy.
• Greater Hells Canyon Council: Regional conservation nonprofit dedicated to protecting Hells Canyon and adjacent wildlands in Oregon and Idaho. Direct peer: a minor partner of FOC and shares the same grassroots-plus-litigation model on adjacent Northern Rockies ecosystems.
• Idaho Rivers United: Idaho nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring the state's free-flowing rivers and fish habitat. Direct peer: a major FOC partner collaborating on river protection and salmon recovery in the Clearwater watershed.
• Center for Biological Diversity: National nonprofit that uses science-based legal advocacy to protect endangered species and wild places. Direct peer: a major partner of FOC and frequently co-litigates ESA cases on the same Idaho landscapes FOC defends.

Broad incumbents

• Earthjustice: National environmental law firm that litigates high-impact cases across federal lands, endangered species, and climate. Broad incumbent: a core legal partner of FOC that provides litigation capacity and press reach well beyond any single regional nonprofit.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife advocacy organization protecting imperiled species and habitats through policy, legal action, and education. Broad incumbent: a major partner of FOC and operates at a larger national scale with overlapping grizzly, wolf, and habitat campaigns.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/focidaho
• Instagraminstagram.com/clearwaterwild
• Xx.com/wildclearwater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Friends of the Clearwater