What Sustainable Northwest does

Sustainable Northwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that delivers community-led environmental programs across the Pacific Northwest. Its core program portfolio spans five areas: Forest restoration and wildfire resilience (including post-fire recovery for the 2020 Labor Day Fires, with 200,000 climate-adapted trees planned for planting on private forests); Clean Energy development (community microgrids and rural resilience); Water protection (the Drinking Water Source Protection Program, administered under a $5 million OWEB allocation for 2023-2025); Wood Markets (connecting restoration forestry output to green-building supply chains, including a wholly-owned retail lumberyard subsidiary called Sustainable Northwest Wood at 2701 SE 14th Ave in Portland); and Regenerative Ranching (described as the largest program of its kind in the Western United States).

The organization is not a technology company and its "platform" is operational rather than software-based: a coordinated coalition of more than 40 community forests spanning approximately 215,000 acres, the Northwest Community Forest Coalition that SNW convenes, and a dense partnership network that includes tribal nations (Nez Perce, Warm Springs, Yakama, Kalispel, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Siletz), federal agencies (USDA NRCS, U.S. Forest Service), Oregon and Washington state agencies (OWEB, ODF, WA DNR, OPRD), land trusts (North Coast Land Conservancy, Columbia Land Trust, Wild Rivers Land Trust, Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts), universities (Oregon State University Extension, University of Oregon Ecosystem Workforce Program), and private foundations (Alumbra Foundation).

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: tax-deductible donations (online, recurring, stock, estate planning, donor-advised funds), corporate and event sponsorships, government and foundation grants (OWEB, USDA, USFS, Alumbra Foundation, Conservation Fund), and pass-through program-related income such as the lumberyard sales of Sustainable Northwest Wood. Pricing for most programs is non-commercial (programs are grant-funded and freely available to communities); only the wood products line carries market pricing. The organization holds a Charity Navigator 3-Star rating and a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency (both 2026) and reports no parent company, no equity ownership, and no traditional funding rounds.

Name

Sustainable Northwest

Legal name

Sustainable Northwest

Website

https://sustainablenorthwest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sustainable Northwest is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that delivers community-led forest restoration, wildfire recovery, drinking water protection, clean energy, regenerative ranching, and sustainable wood market programs to rural and Tribal communities across Oregon and Washington, convening a coalition of more than 40 community forests spanning roughly 215,000 acres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (11321)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Ecosystem Restoration & Rewilding Services (AFAMAMAE), Forest Ecosystem Services & Carbon/Conservation Programs (AFAMAAAJ), Forestry & Ecosystem Carbon Removal (Afforestation/Reforestation, Improved Forest Management) (EUABAFAH)

Keywords

• Community-led environmental conservation
• Forest restoration and wildfire resilience
• Drinking water source protection
• Regenerative ranching programs
• Sustainable wood markets

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Sustainable Northwest relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations to fund their conservation work. They accept online donations, stock donations, estate planning gifts, recurring gifts, donor advised funds, and other support.
2. Sponsorships: Corporate and organizational sponsorships for events and programs
3. Sustainable Northwest Wood (Lumberyard): A Portland-based lumberyard specializing in local, responsibly sourced wood products. Located at 2701 SE 14th Ave Portland, OR 97202, open M-F 8am-5pm, phone (503) 239-9663

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sustainable Northwest delivers community-led, nature-based solutions across the Pacific Northwest through five core program areas: Forest restoration and wildfire resilience, locally driven Clean Energy solutions (microgrids, rural energy resilience), Water protection (including the Drinking Water Source Protection Program), Regenerative Ranching practices that restore soil and biodiversity, and Wood Markets connecting forest restoration to sustainable local wood supply chains. The organization convenes the Northwest Community Forest Coalition (40+ community forests, ~215,000 acres), provides technical assistance and funding coordination to rural and Tribal communities, and operates a Portland-based lumberyard (Sustainable Northwest Wood) selling responsibly sourced local wood products.

Product overview

Sustainable Northwest is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of environmental programs rather than a unified software product. Its core programs include Clean Energy (community microgrids), Forests (wildfire resilience, post-fire recovery, prescribed fire), Wood Markets (sustainable sourcing for green building), Regenerative Ranching, Water protection, and community forest coalition work. The Post-Fire Recovery Program helps private landowners replant after megafires. The Northwest Community Forest Coalition networks over 40 community forests. The E-Farms program loans electric farm equipment. These programs operate independently while sharing the organization's mission of supporting rural and Tribal communities throughout the Northwest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clean Energy Program Develops and supports locally driven clean energy solutions, including community microgrids for rural Oregon communities to achieve energy resilience and disaster preparedness. Targeted at rural communities, farms, ranches, and organizations needing energy independence and grid resilience.
• Forest Program Provides community-led solutions for healthy, resilient forests including wildfire resilience, post-fire recovery, prescribed fire, and forest thinning restoration. Targeted at rural and Tribal communities, landowners, and government agencies managing forest landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.
• Wood Markets Program Connects sustainable wood sourcing from restoration forestry projects to markets, supporting transparent supply chains for green building projects including mass timber construction. Targeted at green builders, developers, and partners seeking responsibly sourced local wood.
• Regenerative Ranching Program The largest regenerative ranching program in the western United States, helping ranchers implement practices that restore soil health, improve water quality, boost biodiversity, and sequester carbon. Targeted at family farms and ranching operations in the Pacific Northwest.
• Water Program Balances water use from headwaters to the ocean, including the Drinking Water Source Protection Program helping communities acquire and protect forests serving as drinking water sources. Targeted at Oregon municipalities and water districts.
• Post-Fire Recovery Program Helps private forest landowners recover from wildfires through reforestation assistance, funding coordination, technical support, and seedling procurement. Specifically assists landowners affected by the 2020 Labor Day Fires in western Oregon.
• Northwest Community Forest Coalition Network of over 40 active community forests spanning approximately 215,000 acres across Oregon and Washington, providing networking, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for community forest practitioners.
• Drinking Water Source Protection Program Oregon state program funded at $5 million for the 2023-2025 biennium that helps communities acquire and protect forests that serve as their drinking water sources. Helps Oregon municipalities like City of Reedsport, City of Rockaway Beach, Neskowin Regional Water District, City of The Dalles, City of Port Orford, and Rhododendron Water Association secure forested drinking water source lands.
• Sustainable Northwest Wood (Lumberyard) Portland-based lumberyard at 2701 SE 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97202, open M-F 8am-5pm, phone (503) 239-9663, specializing in local, responsibly sourced wood products from the Pacific Northwest.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000 climate-adapted trees to be planted on private forests in Labor Day Fire footprints
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in post-fire reforestation program for private landowners affected by 2020 Labor Day Fires. Helps private forest landowners restore burned properties through the reforestation program.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritical funder of post-fire recovery work for forests burned in the 2020 Labor Day megafires. Supports reforestation programs for non-federal forest and non-industrial landowners.
• U.S. Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner supporting forest restoration and wildfire resilience work. Critical funder of post-fire recovery programs.
• American ForestscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in launching Pacific Northwest Reforestation Network to connect everyone involved in the reforestation pipeline. Also a critical funder of post-fire restoration efforts.
• Clackamas River Basin CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in post-fire recovery program working with private landowners in the Clackamas River watershed area affected by 2020 wildfires.
• Marion Soil & Water Conservation DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in post-fire recovery efforts helping private forest landowners in Marion County recover from Labor Day Fires.
• North Santiam Watershed CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Western Oregon Cascades Recovery Effort (WOCRE) working with landowners in the North Santiam watershed.
• Oregon Department of ForestrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in post-fire recovery and forest restoration programs throughout Oregon.
• Jackson Soil & Water Conservation DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in post-fire recovery work in Jackson County, helping private landowners recover from regional wildfires.
• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOWEB funds the Drinking Water Source Protection Program at $5 million for 2023-2025 biennium. Partner in vetting and approving drinking water protection projects for Oregon communities.
• North Coast Land ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in multiple drinking water protection projects including Rockaway Beach Jetty Creek watershed acquisition and Neskowin Hawk Creek watershed protection.
• Coalition of Oregon Land TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner advancing drinking water source protection legislation and helping secure more funding to meet demand from communities.
• The Conservation FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate Lupine Forest LLC sold 3,600 acres to City of The Dalles for municipal watershed protection. Previously held property until city could arrange financing.
• Wild Rivers Land TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in City of Reedsport Clear Lake watershed acquisition and City of Port Orford North Fork Hubbard Creek watershed protection.
• Rural Community Assistance CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing support for Reedsport and Neskowin drinking water protection projects.
• Columbia Land TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in City of The Dalles municipal watershed acquisition project.
• Confederated Tribes of Grand RondemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Neskowin Regional Water District Hawk Creek watershed protection project.
• Confederated Tribes of Siletz IndiansmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Neskowin Regional Water District Hawk Creek watershed protection project.
• Port Orford Watershed CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in City of Port Orford drinking water protection project for North Fork Hubbard Creek watershed.
• Curry Soil & Water Conservation DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in City of Port Orford drinking water protection project.
• Nestucca, Neskowin, & Sand Lake Watersheds CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Neskowin Regional Water District Hawk Creek watershed protection project.
• Springboard ForestryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Port Orford watershed protection project.
• E-FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership of Sustainable Northwest, Forth, Wy'East RC&D, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Program lends electric farm equipment to farmers and ranchers at no cost to encourage adoption of electric equipment.
• ForthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean transportation nonprofit and partner in E-Farms equipment lending program providing electric farm equipment to agricultural producers.
• Wy'East RC&DcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource Conservation and Development organization and partner in E-Farms equipment lending program.
• Bonneville Environmental FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental foundation and partner in E-Farms equipment lending program for electric farm equipment.
• Blue Mountain Forest PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest collaborative in eastern Oregon that played significant role in implementing forest restoration projects. Partner in connecting restoration work with sustainable wood markets.
• Lomakatsi Restoration ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots nonprofit developing and implementing forest and water restoration projects in Oregon and Northern California. Involved in West Bear All-Lands Restoration project through stewardship agreement.
• Oregon Prescribed Fire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil working to enhance fire-adapted natural ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest by expanding responsible use of prescribed fire. SNW is a key partner in this council.
• Northwest Fire Science ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Oregon Prescribed Fire Council working with Federal Forest Collaboratives and building new models for restoring fire-adapted forests.
• Nez Perce TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation partner in East Moraine Community Forest management and forest stewardship. Contributed to 2022 multi-use management plan development.
• Warm Springs TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Middle Fork John Day stream restoration and forest thinning projects. Oversaw stream restoration project for salmon and steelhead habitat improvement.
• Kalispel TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partner managing Indian Creek Community Forest as educational space for Tribal members and area residents. Part of Northwest Community Forest Coalition.
• Wallowa CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government that acquired and manages East Moraine Community Forest since 2020. Manages the forest through the East Moraine Community Forest Management Committee.
• Wallowa ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization and member of East Moraine Community Forest Management Committee.
• Wallowa Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal land trust and member of East Moraine Community Forest Management Committee.
• Oregon State University ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner and member of East Moraine Community Forest Management Committee. OSU Rangeland Research lab uses the forest as field laboratory since 2023.
• Oregon Parks and Recreation DepartmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner and member of East Moraine Community Forest Management Committee.
• Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner and member of East Moraine Community Forest Management Committee.
• Nuveen (Natural Capital)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent owner of Jetty Creek watershed land being purchased by City of Rockaway Beach for drinking water protection. Managed the forest property since 2017 acquisition.
• EcotrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated interactive mapping tool for drinking water data for coastal communities in Oregon.
• Yakama NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation with forests on reservation lands where they practice ecological forest management. Process wood at Yakama Forest Products and sell to green builders. Wood from their restoration projects used in PDX airport renovation.
• Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition (NEWFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative bringing together diverse stakeholders to build trust and provide community-supported guidance to Forest Service on Colville National Forest restoration projects.
• Country Natural BeefmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRanching cooperative that brings like-minded ranchers together. Partner in regenerative ranching program. Barbecue brisket provider for Live Edge 2026 event.
• WA Department of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in launching Pacific Northwest Reforestation Network with American Forests and Sustainable Northwest.
• University of Oregon Ecosystem Workforce ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity program providing funding for post-fire restoration guidebooks and reforestation efforts.
• WoodgrainmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSawmill in Pilot Rock, Oregon, providing wood products from restoration thinning projects. Partner in showcasing connection between public land forest restoration and rural mills.
• Malheur LumbermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLumber company in John Day, Oregon. Almost 90% of their inputs come from national forest restoration projects. Partner in sustainable wood markets and restoration wood sourcing.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Forests: National nonprofit focused on forest restoration and reforestation. Co-founded the Pacific Northwest Reforestation Network with SNW and WA Department of Natural Resources, making it a direct programmatic peer in reforestation work.
• Ecotrust: Portland-based nonprofit working on natural resource conservation, sustainable forestry, and indigenous-led economic development in the Pacific Northwest. Ecotrust is SNW's closest regional peer and even a partner on the interactive drinking water mapping tool.
• Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts: Statewide coalition representing Oregon's land trusts. SNW is a coalition partner advancing drinking water source protection legislation; both organizations operate at the intersection of conservation funding, land acquisition, and rural community support.

Regional players

• Oregon Natural Desert Association: Oregon-based nonprofit focused on conservation of high desert, forests, and watersheds. Comparable in mission (community-led conservation, policy advocacy, and on-the-ground restoration) though with a different primary biome focus.
• Lomakatsi Restoration Project: Southern Oregon / Northern California nonprofit implementing forest and watershed restoration. A core partner with SNW on the West Bear All-Lands Restoration project and stewardship agreement work — directly comparable on the ground.
• Wallowa Resources: Wallowa County-based nonprofit working on forest stewardship, community forestry, and rural economic development. A direct member of the East Moraine Community Forest Management Committee alongside SNW, making it a tightly overlapping rural community-forestry peer.
• Blue Mountain Forest Partners: Eastern Oregon forest collaborative partnering with SNW on restoration projects and sustainable wood markets. Directly comparable in implementing on-the-ground thinning, prescribed fire, and restoration contracting work in the Blue Mountains.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest global environmental nonprofits with significant PNW forest and watershed programs. Operates at much greater scale but overlaps substantially with SNW on forest restoration, water protection, and conservation finance.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit specializing in land conservation and community forests. Comparable in the community-forest acquisition and watershed protection space SNW operates in (e.g., transactions like the Rockaway Beach Jetty Creek acquisition).

Emerging players

• Forth: PNW clean transportation nonprofit and co-partner with SNW in the E-Farms electric farm equipment lending program. Comparable in deploying targeted clean-energy/clean-equipment programs to rural agricultural communities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sustainablenw
• Facebookfacebook.com/sustainablenw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-northwest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Sustainable Northwest