Friends of the Mississippi River

What Friends of the Mississippi River does

Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, that engages people to protect, restore, and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region. The organization operates four core program lines: Land Conservation (habitat restoration at 37-40+ sites including prairie, forest, and wetland ecosystems, with over 1,000 acres restored across 20+ years), Water Program (clean water advocacy, drinking water protection, and water quality monitoring), Land Use & Planning (including a 2026 dam removal feasibility study for locks and dams in Minneapolis and St. Paul), and Stewardship & Education (volunteer events, K-12 curriculum, and the Environmental Stewardship Institute youth program). FMR sustains a community-led go-to-market model anchored on 3,700+ annual volunteers, 98+ events per year, and a network of neighborhood associations, tribal nations, municipal partners, and state and federal agencies, with deeper engagement through the River Guardians advocacy program, Mississippi Riverkeepers membership, and the Mississippi River Legacy Society planned giving program.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack rather than a product or service sale: income is generated through individual donations, recurring memberships, corporate and foundation grants (3M Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Cargill Foundation, Xcel Energy, RBC Wealth Management, Marathon Foundation, BNSF Foundation), state Legacy Amendment and trust fund sources (Outdoor Heritage Fund, Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Minnesota Humanities Commission, Conservation Partners Legacy, BWSR Habitat Enhancement Landscape Program), and agency partners (DNR, MPCA, Hennepin County, City of St. Paul, City of Hastings). FMR's technology footprint is non-proprietary: standard nonprofit infrastructure including EveryAction/Bonterra CRM, Google Analytics, Zapier, and Smartsheet for operations, with no public API, no proprietary platform, and no core AI/ML capability beyond tightly restricted use of generative AI tools in non-public workflows. The organization has published an explicit AI content creation policy and self-describes as not creating AI-generated public-facing content.

Operationally, FMR is differentiated less by technology than by three decades of accumulated community trust, site-level physical presence across the metro river corridor, Indigenous co-management relationships (notably the 2024 landmark co-management agreement for Waŋaȟa Ȟčhípi with Wakáŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi and the City of St. Paul), and a hybrid restoration-plus-advocacy model that translates grassroots volunteer engagement into state and federal policy outcomes, including the 2026 Minnesota sustainable aviation fuel tax credit environmental guardrails. Sub-brands include River Guardians, Mississippi Riverkeepers, the Environmental Stewardship Institute, and the Cultural Landscapes Curriculum. The organization is governed by a board, led by a small senior team (Associate Director - Development Director Sara DeKok is the only senior leader disclosed), and reinvests all funds into mission delivery rather than profit distribution.

Name

Friends of the Mississippi River

Legal name

Friends of the Mississippi River

Website

https://fmr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Friends of the Mississippi River is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that engages volunteers, donors, and partners to protect, restore, and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed through habitat restoration at 40+ sites, clean water advocacy, and education programs in the Twin Cities region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation & River Restoration Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• River conservation
• Habitat restoration
• Watershed protection
• Environmental advocacy
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: FMR generates revenue through individual donations, membership fees, and recurring contributions from supporters. The organization offers various giving options including online donations, joining or renewing memberships, legacy giving through the Mississippi River Legacy Society, and Mississippi Riverkeepers memberships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Friends of the Mississippi River is a nonprofit organization that engages people to protect, restore, and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region. Its core offering consists of four programs: Conservation (habitat restoration at 40+ sites), Water (clean water advocacy and monitoring), Land Use & Planning (river-compatible land use advocacy), and Stewardship & Education (volunteer events, youth programs, and curriculum).

Product overview

Friends of the Mississippi River operates as a nonprofit organization offering a suite of interconnected programs centered on Mississippi River protection and restoration. The core programs include Land Conservation (habitat restoration at 40+ sites), Water Program (clean water advocacy), Land Use & Planning, and Stewardship & Education. Add-on programs include the Environmental Stewardship Institute (youth council/fellowships), River Guardians (advocacy activism), Mississippi Riverkeepers (membership), Landscape for the River (residential native planting), 30 Ways to Help the River (educational guide), Cultural Landscapes Curriculum (K-12 educator resources), Legacy Giving (planned donations), and Mississippi Messages (biweekly e-newsletter). The organization also conducts special research initiatives including dam removal feasibility studies and bumble bee habitat research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mississippi Riverkeepers: A membership and advocacy program within FMR that engages people to protect the Mississippi River through grassroots activism and legislative advocacy.
• River Guardians
• Cultural Landscapes Curriculum
• Environmental Stewardship Institute

Products and services

• Land Conservation Program Habitat restoration and land protection across 40+ sites in the Twin Cities metro area, including prairie, forest, and wetland restoration, invasive species removal, native plantings, and natural area management for community members and partners.
• Water Program Advocacy for clean water, drinking water protection, water quality monitoring, and Mississippi River restoration and resilience initiatives, serving Twin Cities residents, policymakers, and partner organizations.
• Land Use & Planning Program Advocacy and planning support for river-compatible land use, including lock and dam disposition studies and urban riverfront development planning in the Twin Cities region.
• Stewardship & Education Program Youth education programs, volunteer events, curriculum development, and community engagement for river stewardship, serving K-12 students, teachers, and community members.
• Mississippi Riverkeepers Membership Recurring membership program supporting river protection with exclusive benefits and community connection for individual supporters.
• River Guardians Advocacy Program Advocacy program enabling supporters to sign up to receive action alerts and contact decision-makers on important river policy issues at the Capitol and local governments.
• Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI) Youth council and fellowship program providing paid internships and fellowships engaging young people in environmental stewardship and river education, including career pathways for BIPOC youth.
• Cultural Landscapes Curriculum K-12 teaching guide and curriculum resource exploring watersheds, cultural heritage, relationships with land and water, and Dakota homeland history for use by Twin Cities educators. The enhanced 2024 version features many community voices and water stories, including a new video with Crystal Norcross, Dakota steward and advocate, plus a teaching guide with lesson plans, additional activities, accompanying materials, resources, and state standards information.
• Legacy Giving Program Planned giving program (Mississippi River Legacy Society) for donors leaving lasting contributions to river protection through estate and legacy gifts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,700 volunteers participated in 98+ events annually, stenciling 3,000+ storm drains and removing invasive species from local parks
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of HastingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025City of Hastings partnered with FMR on restoration at Hastings River Flats Park and other sites including Old Mill Park, Vermillion Falls Park, and Vermillion River Linear Park.
• Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association (Father Hennepin Park Stewards)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Volunteer program of the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association that has long been taking care of Father Hennepin Bluff Park. FMR created a 10-year restoration plan for the group in 2024.
• Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021MWMO awarded planning grants to FMR for natural resource management planning at James I. Rice Park and other sites, including community engagement processes and restoration planning.
• Wakáŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi (formerly Lower Phalen Creek Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNative-led organization and FMR's primary partner on restoration at Waḳaƞ Ṭípi (formerly Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary). FMR collaborated with Wakáŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi on a natural resources management plan and habitat restoration from 2020-2024. In July 2024, they entered into a landmark co-management agreement with the City of St. Paul for the site.
• Owámniyomni OkhódayapicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDakota-led organization focused on the future of locks and dams. FMR is partnering with Owámniyomni Okhódayapi on a robust engagement process with Dakota Tribal nations around the future of locks and dams in the river gorge.
• Water Over Nickel Campaign (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFMR partners with the Water Over Nickel campaign led by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to spread awareness about the negative consequences of nickel mining in Minnesota.
• Minneapolis Park and Recreation BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership on park restoration projects. Park board staff engages FMR ecologists to assist neighborhood associations with restoration efforts at sites including James I. Rice Park, Bassett's Creek Park, and Nicollet Island.
• North Loop Neighborhood AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner engaged in volunteer-centric restoration planning at James I. Rice Park in Minneapolis.
• Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association (Friends of Bassett's Creek)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVolunteer group organized by the Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association leading early restoration efforts at Bassett's Creek Park including invasive species removal and native plantings.
• Bassett Creek Watershed Management CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided support for FMR's community engagement process to develop the Bassett's Creek Park Natural Resources Management Plan.
• Full Circle Indigenous Planning and DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous-led planning firm that provided Dakota community feedback for the Father Hennepin Bluff Park restoration plan in 2024.
• Sheridan Neighborhood OrganizationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner in Minneapolis that initiated a restoration partnership with FMR at Sheridan Memorial Park, including rain garden maintenance and multi-year community restoration.
• Urban RootsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in restoration work at Waḳaƞ Ṭípi and other sites in St. Paul.
• Mississippi Park ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in restoration and stewardship work at Waḳaƞ Ṭípi.
• Saint Paul Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorked for years with FMR and Wakáŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi to improve habitat at Waḳaƞ Ṭípi. In 2024, entered into co-management agreement with Wakáŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi for the site.
• Hastings Environmental ProtectorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal partner that teamed up with FMR to create pollinator patches at Vermillion and Mississippi river watersheds.
• National Park Service Mississippi National River & Recreation AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with FMR on the 'State of the River Report' and restoration projects including Hastings River Flats.
• Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDNR partnered with FMR on restoration at Vermillion River, Spring Lake Park Reserve, and other sites. Also partner on Metro Greenways Program funding for Hastings River Flats.
• Hmong American Farmers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with FMR and Twin Cities Trout Unlimited on restoration along the Vermillion River, turning former croplands and degraded woodlands into diverse native habitat.
• Twin Cities Trout UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with FMR and Hmong American Farmers Association on Vermillion River restoration. Trout populations have responded positively to habitat improvements.
• Minnesota Pollution Control AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on nitrate pollution studies and water quality monitoring. FMR works with MPCA on nutrient reduction strategies and policy advocacy.
• University of MinnesotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner on water quality research including nitrate studies, and collaborated with FMR mammologists on small mammal surveys at restoration sites.
• U.S. Geological SurveyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and University of Minnesota on nitrogen study using 35 years of monitoring data and 700 stream sites.
• Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNeighborhood partner providing funding and community support for Nicollet Island restoration.
• Friends of the RiverfrontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Nicollet Island restoration.
• Laura Jeffery AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school that helped reshape FMR's Cultural Landscapes curriculum to include more cultural perspectives and community knowledge.
• Dowling Elementary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school that provided feedback to enhance FMR's Cultural Landscapes curriculum.
• Mississippi River mayors (downriver communities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFMR collaborates with Mississippi River mayors banded together to prevent water diversion. FMR Water Program Director participates in interviews on river protection issues.
• Healthy GulfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGulf Coast environmental organization. FMR published a conversation with Healthy Gulf's Matt Rota about drinking water crisis downriver.
• Forever Green PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on continuous living cover and clean water crops. FMR ensures BIPOC participation in leadership for this policy-based coalition work.
• Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to urge Congress to enact the MRRRI Act. FMR ensures BIPOC participation in leadership for this federal policy effort.
• National Park Service Cultural Resources Program ManagerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngaging with NPS to ensure all restoration projects respect historical and cultural significance of sites and work with tribal nation partners.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Freshwater Society: Minnesota-based nonprofit focused on clean water, water quality, and water policy; highly comparable given shared geographic focus and freshwater protection mission.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Largest global environmental nonprofit; comparable through its land and freshwater habitat protection work, though operating at far greater scale and across geographies beyond the Mississippi River basin.
• Sierra Club: One of the largest U.S. environmental advocacy organizations; overlaps with FMR on clean water advocacy, land use policy, and conservation campaigns, though at much greater scale and broader scope.

Direct peers

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land protection and creating parks for communities; overlaps with FMR's land conservation, habitat restoration, and park-based community engagement programs.
• American Rivers: National nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers and clean water, directly comparable to FMR's Mississippi River restoration, water quality advocacy, and watershed protection mission.
• Ducks Unlimited: Major wetland and waterfowl habitat conservation nonprofit with comparable wetland restoration, prairie planting, and habitat protection work, though operating at national scale.
• Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy: Minnesota-based environmental legal and policy advocacy nonprofit; comparable through its work on water quality, habitat protection, and state/federal environmental policy in the same region.
• Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative: Coalition of Mississippi River mayors working on river protection and water quality, with which FMR actively collaborates on downriver issues and policy advocacy.
• Izaak Walton League of America: National conservation nonprofit with chapters focused on water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, and grassroots conservation advocacy; comparable mission and volunteer-driven model.
• River Network: National nonprofit supporting local river and water protection groups; directly comparable through its focus on river advocacy, water quality, and capacity-building for watershed organizations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/friendsmissriv
• Facebookfacebook.com/FriendsMissRiv

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Friends of the Mississippi River