People Resources and Conservation Foundation

What People Resources and Conservation Foundation does

PRCF is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1995 that implements community-based biodiversity conservation and natural resource management programs across priority landscapes in Indonesia (West Kalimantan/Upper Kapuas and North Sumatra/Batang Toru-Hadabuan Hills), Vietnam (Northern Limestone Mountains and Gia Lai Highlands), Bangladesh and India, with programs under development in Papua New Guinea. The organization serves indigenous and rural forest-dependent communities — including Dayak, Mro, Tripura, Khasi, Karbi, Garo, and Bana peoples — alongside local conservation NGOs (CCA, Conservation Initiatives, Yayasan Alam Liar Sumatera, FPCD) and government forest departments. The core methodology combines participatory natural resource management with the formal establishment of village forests (Hutan Desa) under Indonesia's Social Forestry Scheme, supplemented by species-specific programs for critically endangered wildlife such as the Cao Vit Gibbon, Tapanuli Orangutan, Western Hoolock Gibbon, and François' Langur.

PRCF's technical footprint includes SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) for patrol data management and Kobo Toolbox for socio-economic surveys, with third-party validated conservation outcomes under Verra's CCB Standards and the Plan Vivo sustainable forestry certification. The organization operates as a federation of country programs, with PRCF Indonesia (Yayasan Pelestari Ragamhayati dan Cipta Fondasi Indonesia) having evolved into an independent national NGO with qualified nationals in leadership. PRCF also runs social enterprise and livelihoods programs including Apes for Apes specialty coffee and the Jasa Menunum Mandiri weaving cooperative, alongside its Forest for Future carbon credit program in West Kalimantan validated by Earthood Services Ltd.

The organization's revenue model is grant-funded, with more than 95% of grant monies directed to project activities per its own disclosure. Funding sources include UK Government Darwin Initiative, Arcus Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, USAID, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Rainforest Trust, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, IUCN Save Our Species, Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund, Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming, and the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund. Tax-deductible individual giving is solicited through suggested tiers (USD 10-1,500 for specific activities/equipment), and the organization engages CSR partners through hosted events. PRCF does not offer a software product or commercial technology platform; its operations are delivered through direct implementation via country program offices and local NGO partners across South and Southeast Asia.

Name

People Resources and Conservation Foundation

Legal name

People Resources and Conservation Foundation

Website

https://prcfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PRCF is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1995 implementing community-based biodiversity conservation across Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Papua New Guinea, serving indigenous forest-dwelling communities through village forest legal rights, endangered species protection programs, and results-based financing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), Biodiversity Conservation & Habitat Banking (AFAMAMAC), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK)

Keywords

• Community-based conservation
• Village forest management
• Biodiversity protection
• Species conservation programs
• Sustainable livelihoods

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: PRCF receives predominantly grant funding from private, public, and government donors. More than 95 percent of all grant monies go directly towards implementation of project activities. Funding sources include UK Government Darwin Initiative, Arcus Foundation, and various other conservation donors.
2. Private Donations: Individual private donations from donors worldwide, processed through PayPal and other donation mechanisms.
3. Results-Based Financing: Long-term results-based financing agreements providing sustained funding for conservation management over 25-year periods contingent on measurable conservation outcomes. This includes Plan Vivo standard certification and Verra CCB Standards validation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that facilitates community-based conservation programs enabling indigenous and rural communities to secure legal forest management rights (Hutan Desa / Village Forests) and receive long-term results-based financing for biodiversity outcomes. The organization delivers species-specific conservation initiatives for critically endangered primates (Cao Vit Gibbon, Tapanuli Orangutan, Western Hoolock Gibbon, François' Langur), third-party validated carbon and forestry programs under Plan Vivo and Verra CCB Standards, and sustainable livelihood products including the Apes for Apes specialty coffee enterprise.

Product overview

PRCF operates as a federation of country programs implementing community-based conservation initiatives across Southeast Asia and South Asia. The core offering is a community-based forest management approach where PRCF facilitates village forest (Hutan Desa) designations, provides technical training, and secures long-term results-based financing for communities. This is complemented by species-specific conservation programs targeting flagship primates (gibbons, orangutans, langurs), social enterprise products (Apes for Apes Coffee), and carbon programs (Forest for Future). PRCF Indonesia operates as an independent national NGO (Yayasan PRCF Indonesia), while programs also exist in Vietnam and South Asia. The organization does not offer a software product or technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community-Based Forest Management Program PRCF's flagship approach enabling local communities to secure legal rights over ancestral forests through village forest (Hutan Desa) designations in West Kalimantan and other priority landscapes, with results-based financing for conservation outcomes over 25-year periods.
• Species Conservation Programs Conservation initiatives targeting globally threatened species including Cao Vit Gibbon, Tapanuli Orangutan, François' Langur, Western Hoolock Gibbon, and Tomistoma Crocodile through habitat protection, community monitoring, and anti-poaching patrols.
• Hutan Desa (Village Forest) Program Facilitates formal establishment and management of village forests through Indonesia's Social Forestry Scheme, enabling communities to receive long-term results-based financing for conservation management contingent on measurable outcomes.
• Batang Toru Ecosystem Conservation Community-based conservation in North Sumatra protecting the Critically Endangered Tapanuli Orangutan and Endangered Siamang and Agile Gibbon through sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, community forestry, and biodiversity-friendly market access.
• Hadabuan Hills Landscape Protection Securing 125,000 hectares of hill and mountain forest through village forest networks under Indonesia's Social Forestry Scheme, protecting habitat for Sumatran Tiger and Helmeted Hornbill with local partner Yayasan Alam Liar Sumatera.
• Northern Limestone Mountains Conservation Community-based conservation in Vietnam's Ba Be/Na Hang Karst Forest Complex and Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Area, focusing on Endangered François' Langur and Critically Endangered Cao Vit Gibbon through habitat restoration and community patrols.
• Gia Lai Highlands Biodiversity Corridors Establishing biodiversity corridors in Vietnam's Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserve to connect Khon Ka King National Park and Khon Chu Ran Nature Reserve, benefiting Critically Endangered Grey-shanked Douc Langur and local Bana communities.
• Bangladesh/India Transboundary Conservation Transboundary conservation program spanning Chittagong Hill Tracts and Northeast India protecting the Endangered Western Hoolock Gibbon through Darwin Initiative-funded projects launched in 2026 with partners Creative Conservation Alliance and Conservation Initiatives.
• Apes for Apes Coffee Specialty coffee brand promoting coexistence between communities and wildlife in the Batang Toru Ecosystem. A village enterprise supporting farmers who adopt sustainable land practices with 100% of profits directed to farmers.
• Forest for Future Carbon Program Rimba Pakai Kemuka Ari project enabling village communities in West Kalimantan to manage forests for climate, community, and biodiversity benefits under Verra's CCB Standards, with third-party validation achieved in 2026 by Earthood Services Ltd.
• Lobugala-Negara Camera Trapping Project Wildlife reconnaissance survey using camera traps to document mammal communities in the previously unstudied Lobugala-Negara Landscape between Batang Toru and Hadabuan Hills, targeting species including Sumatran Tiger, Sunda Clouded Leopard, and Sumatran Striped Rabbit.
• Dayak Cultural Arts Revitalization Traditional weaving arts preservation program working with Dayak Ikat weaving communities in West Kalimantan, including the establishment of weaver's cooperative 'Jasa Menunum Mandiri' and market development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 95% of grant monies go directly to project activities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers20 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

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Creative Conservation Alliance (CCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Bangladeshi non-profit leading community-based conservation in Chittagong Hill Tracts. PRCF's key implementing partner for Western Hoolock Gibbon conservation in Bangladesh.
• Conservation InitiativescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Northeast India non-profit implementing conservation programs across Meghalaya, Assam, and Nagaland. Key partner for gibbon conservation under Darwin Capability & Capacity Project.
• Yayasan Alam Liar SumateracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Local partner securing Hadabuan Hills landscape through village forest networks (Hutan Desa) to prevent illegal logging, mining, poaching, and oil palm conversion.
• Foundation for People and Community Development (FPCD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Papua New Guinea national NGO implementing community-led conservation and development project in Soregeran Valley Landscape, Madang Province, holding 2,000+ ha of pristine rainforest.
• Fauna & Flora InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner in Cao Vit Gibbon habitat restoration in Vietnam. Collaborates on gibbon surveys in Myanmar and other conservation initiatives.
• Plan VivocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable forestry certification body partnering with PRCF for village forest certification and monitoring of non-timber forest products collection in Nanga Lauk village.
• VerracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoluntary carbon scheme operator whose CCB Standards validate PRCF Indonesia's Forest for Future project for climate, community, and biodiversity benefits.
• Rimba CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Forest for Future carbon project in West Kalimantan, providing support during CCB validation process.
• Lestari CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Forest for Future project supporting carbon credit development.
• The Landscapes and Livelihoods GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Forest for Future project contributing to project validation and implementation.
• Orangutan Information CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Batang Toru Ecosystem conservation for Tapanuli Orangutan protection with support from Arcus Foundation.
• Sumatran Rainforest InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in North Sumatra conservation programs for forest ecosystem protection.
• Healthy Planet IndonesiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Batang Toru Ecosystem conservation programs.
• The CoffeenaticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedan-based roastery and café purchasing and selling Apes for Apes specialty coffee produced by PRCF partner farmers.
• NoFilterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSingapore-based company committed to purchasing all coffee produced from Apes for Apes program and supporting production scale-up.
• Lisa & Leo OrganicsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical experts providing specialty coffee production training to village enterprise members.
• IUCN Primate Specialist Group Section on Small ApesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific body providing technical expertise and endorsement for Western Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Action Plan.
• Gibbon Conservation AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on gibbon conservation globally.
• PantheraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on wild cat conservation globally.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Largest global conservation NGO, operating in Indonesia, Vietnam and other PRCF geographies with comparable forest conservation, community partnerships, and carbon/climate programs. Much larger scale but overlapping model and outcomes.
• Conservation International: Major global conservation NGO active across Indonesia (Heart of Borneo), Vietnam, and Cambodia on community-based conservation, REDD+ and species protection. Significantly larger and broader in scope, but overlapping geography and methodology.
• Fauna & Flora International: Long-established global conservation NGO operating across 40+ countries. Direct peer on Cao Vit Gibbon work in Vietnam and broader community-based conservation approach, though significantly larger and more diversified in species and geography.

Direct peers

• Rare: Global conservation NGO that partners with local communities and fishing/forestry groups on behavior-change campaigns and locally managed conservation areas. Highly comparable community-led model and tropical forest focus.
• Panthera: Wild cat conservation NGO operating in Sumatra and other PRCF geographies. While species-focused rather than forest-focused, it shares the same community-based conservation model, SMART patrolling approach, and Indonesia country presence as a PRCF partner.
• Rainforest Trust: Conservation NGO focused on protected area creation and community-based forest stewardship in tropical regions, including Indonesia. Directly comparable funding model (grants to NGO partners for forest protection) and species focus (orangutans, primates).
• Rimba Collective: Singapore-based conservation platform supporting tropical forest protection in Southeast Asia via long-term results-based payments. Direct partner on PRCF's Forest for Future project; similar results-based financing methodology.
• Orangutan Information Centre: Indonesian conservation NGO based in North Sumatra focused on orangutan and Sumatran forest conservation. Direct peer and active PRCF partner on Batang Toru work; comparable community-based forest restoration and species protection model.

Peers

• Lestari Capital:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/prcf
• Facebookfacebook.com/PRCFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/people-resources-and-conservation-foundation-prcf-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 People Resources and Conservation Foundation