Restore Hetch Hetchy
Restore Hetch Hetchy is a Berkeley-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that campaigns to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley within Yosemite National Park, producing technical water-supply research (the Cherry Solution report and TREWSSIM model) and serving individual donors, institutional foundation partners, and coalition allies in the U.S. conservation sector.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Restore Hetch Hetchy does
Restore Hetch Hetchy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental advocacy organization headquartered in Berkeley, California, founded in 2002 by Sierra Club members with the singular mission of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley to its natural splendor within Yosemite National Park. The organization operates as a cause monopolist: it is the only entity dedicated exclusively to this valley's restoration, and the issue itself occupies a unique position in American environmental history as the catalyst for the modern conservation movement. Its core deliverable is technical and policy advocacy rather than a traditional product suite, anchored by "The Cherry Solution" (a 2026 hydrological modeling report produced in collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund's TREWSSIM water-supply simulation framework) demonstrating that San Francisco can meet its water needs without Hetch Hetchy Reservoir given a 19% decline in demand from 273 thousand acre-feet to 220 thousand acre-feet. Supporting outputs include online petition infrastructure, biannual newsletters, an extensive historical media archive, and annual fundraising dinners.
The organization maintains a small operational staff led by Executive Director Spreck Rosekrans under Board Chair Roger Williams, with no parent company, no external investors, and no subsidiaries. Its technology stack is lightweight — a WordPress-based website, Mailchimp email automation, and petition/CRM tooling — reflecting its advocacy-led rather than engineering-led operating model. The proprietary technical differentiator is the Cherry Solution report and TREWSSIM model, which the organization leverages to convert broadly favorable public opinion (reported at a 4:1 supporter-to-opponent margin and over 60% California voter support in 2026 polling) into specific legislative asks before Congress and San Francisco city officials.
Restore Hetch Hetchy generates contributed revenue across four streams: individual donations at tiers from $25 to $1,000 (with a monthly sustainer subscription option), annual dinner event sponsorship ranging from $2,000 to $25,000 plus individual tickets at $225 and tables of eight at $1,800, institutional grants from named partners including Walton Family Foundation, Apple, Patagonia, VMware, Yosemite Conservancy, and Tides Foundation, and planned giving through the RHH Visionaries legacy society. Its go-to-market motion is community-led: building mass public support through digital petitions, social media, an annual dinner, and direct outreach to Congressional members, San Francisco city officials, and National Park Service leadership. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed.
Restore Hetch Hetchy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Restore Hetch Hetchy
- Legal name
- Restore Hetch Hetchy
- Website
- https://hetchhetchy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Restore Hetch Hetchy is a Berkeley-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that campaigns to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley within Yosemite National Park, producing technical water-supply research (the Cherry Solution report and TREWSSIM model) and serving individual donors, institutional foundation partners, and coalition allies in the U.S. conservation sector.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Restore Hetch Hetchy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Advocacy
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)
Keywords
Where Restore Hetch Hetchy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Restore Hetch Hetchy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individual supporters at various levels ($25-$1,000+). Includes monthly sustainer program and one-time gifts.
- Annual Dinner Events: Revenue from annual fundraising dinner event with tickets ($225 individual, $1,800 table) and sponsorship opportunities ranging from $2,000-$25,000
- Institutional Giving: Grants and contributions from corporate foundations and institutional partners including Apple, Patagonia, VMware, Walton Family Foundation, and others
- Planned Giving/Legacy Society: Bequests, wills, and estate planning vehicles through the Legacy Society (RHH Visionaries) for long-term support
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Suggested donation amounts for general support |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Annual Dinner individual and table tickets |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Annual Dinner sponsorship and underwriting opportunities |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Restore Hetch Hetchy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Restore Hetch Hetchy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that campaigns to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park by demonstrating that the reservoir is no longer needed for San Francisco's water supply. The organization publishes technical research (such as the Cherry Solution report), runs petition campaigns, engages policymakers, and coordinates a coalition of environmental partners to advance legislative and regulatory action for valley restoration.
Product overview
Restore Hetch Hetchy is a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on returning Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park to its natural splendor. The organization does not offer a traditional product suite but provides advocacy tools and publications including The Cherry Solution (a technical water supply report), a petition platform for supporter engagement, periodic newsletters, a media archive of photographs and documents, and annual fundraising events. These offerings support the organization's mission of environmental conservation and valley restoration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Cherry Solution Report A groundbreaking technical research publication demonstrating that San Francisco can meet its water supply needs without Hetch Hetchy Reservoir by connecting Cherry Lake to its existing conveyance system, eliminating the need for the reservoir while preserving water service.
- Petition Platform An online petition system allowing supporters to sign and demonstrate public support for Hetch Hetchy Valley restoration, with an option to join the organization's mailing list.
- Newsletter Publications Regular seasonal newsletter publications (Spring and Fall) covering campaign updates, restoration progress, events, and advocacy news distributed to supporters and the general public.
- Photographs and Art Archive A curated collection of photographs and artwork documenting Hetch Hetchy Valley, climbing at Hetch Hetchy, and historical figures involved in the restoration campaign.
- Annual Dinner Event An annual fundraising dinner featuring cultural celebrations, guest speakers, silent auctions, and recognition of supporters with individual tickets at $225 and tables of 8 at $1,800, plus sponsorship tiers ranging from $2,000 to $25,000.
Quantifiable outcome
- Water demand decreased 19% (from 273 TAF to 220 TAF average annual consumption)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Restore Hetch Hetchy
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Restore Hetch Hetchy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Restore Hetch Hetchy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Environmental DefensecoreEnvironmental organization formally endorsing Hetch Hetchy restoration as long as a fair and cost-effective plan is developed to replace water and power benefits.
- Sierra ClubcoreHistoric environmental organization - Restore Hetch Hetchy was founded by Sierra Club members.
- National Wildlife FederationmajorNational conservation organization supporting restoration efforts.
- American RiversmajorRiver conservation organization supporting restoration.
- Trout UnlimitedmajorAngling conservation organization working to improve fishing access at Hetch Hetchy and support restoration.
- Friends of the RivermajorCalifornia river conservation organization advocating for Tuolumne River and Hetch Hetchy restoration.
- Mono Lake CommitteemajorOrganization that successfully restored Mono Lake, providing precedent and shared expertise for Hetch Hetchy restoration.
- Tuolumne River TrustmajorLocal watershed organization working on Tuolumne River protection and restoration.
- Planning and Conservation LeaguemajorCalifornia conservation advocacy organization.
- Sierra Nevada AlliancemajorRegional Sierra Nevada conservation coalition.
- Natural Heritage InstituteminorConservation organization supporting restoration efforts.
- South Yuba River Citizens' LeagueminorRiver advocacy organization.
- Yosemite OutfittersminorLocal outdoor gear retailer providing support for fishing access improvements at Hetch Hetchy.
- Evergreen LodgeminorNearby lodge accommodation partner hosting Hetch Hetchy visitor trips and events.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Restore Hetch Hetchy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Wildlife Federation: Large national wildlife conservation and advocacy organization. Broader in mission and geographic scope but a formal coalition partner supporting Hetch Hetchy restoration and operating in the same environmental advocacy space.
- Sierra Club: One of the largest and oldest U.S. environmental organizations. Broader in scope (national, multi-issue) but is the founding organization of Restore Hetch Hetchy and an active partner; relevant as a large incumbent in the same advocacy ecosystem.
- Environmental Defense Fund: Major national environmental advocacy organization that co-developed the TREWSSIM water-supply simulation with Restore Hetch Hetchy. Broader in scope but directly comparable as a science-driven environmental policy advocacy organization and a formal partner.
- Trout Unlimited: National coldwater fisheries and river conservation nonprofit. Comparable as an advocacy organization focused on fishing access and river health, and a formal Restore Hetch Hetchy partner specifically engaged on Hetch Hetchy fishing-access issues.
Direct peers
- American Rivers: National nonprofit focused on river conservation and dam removal/removal advocacy. Most directly comparable peer — operates the same advocacy model, addresses overlapping dam-removal policy issues, and is a formal Restore Hetch Hetchy partner.
- Friends of the River: California-based river conservation organization that advocates for free-flowing rivers, including Tuolumne River protection. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and advocacy approach, and a formal Restore Hetch Hetchy partner.
- Mono Lake Committee: California nonprofit that successfully advocated for the restoration of Mono Lake, a comparable precedent-setting water-resource restoration campaign. The most direct functional analog — provides a proven playbook for Restore Hetch Hetchy.
- Natural Heritage Institute: Conservation nonprofit working on river and watershed restoration, including dam-removal and water-resource policy. Comparable in mission, scale, and advocacy approach, and a formal Restore Hetch Hetchy partner.
- Tuolumne River Trust: Local Tuolumne River watershed protection nonprofit. Operates in the same watershed as Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and shares overlapping advocacy on Tuolumne flows and ecological restoration.
Others
- Yosemite Conservancy: The official nonprofit partner of Yosemite National Park, funding restoration, education, and preservation programs. Comparable as a Yosemite-focused funding and advocacy organization, and a formal financial partner of Restore Hetch Hetchy.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Restore Hetch Hetchy social profiles
Digital presenceRestore Hetch Hetchy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Restore Hetch Hetchy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Restore Hetch Hetchy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Restore Hetch Hetchy 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 Restore Hetch Hetchy
What does Restore Hetch Hetchy do?
Restore Hetch Hetchy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that campaigns to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park by demonstrating that the reservoir is no longer needed for San Francisco's water supply. The organization publishes technical research (such as the Cherry Solution report), runs petition campaigns, engages policymakers, and coordinates a coalition of environmental partners to advance legislative and regulatory action for valley restoration.
Is Restore Hetch Hetchy a public or private company?
Restore Hetch Hetchy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Restore Hetch Hetchy founded?
Restore Hetch Hetchy was founded in 2002. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Restore Hetch Hetchy based?
Restore Hetch Hetchy is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does Restore Hetch Hetchy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are annual Dinner Events, institutional Giving and planned Giving/Legacy Society.
Who are Restore Hetch Hetchy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund and Trout Unlimited. Direct peers are American Rivers, Friends of the River, Mono Lake Committee, Natural Heritage Institute and Tuolumne River Trust. Yosemite Conservancy is listed as an others.
Does Restore Hetch Hetchy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Restore Hetch Hetchy.
What industry is Restore Hetch Hetchy in?
Restore Hetch Hetchy's product category is Environmental Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation. Its NAICS code is 813312.