Nature For Justice
Nature For Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers nature-based solutions programs supporting Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and frontline communities across the US, Canada, and Africa, funded by foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and a safeguarding consultancy line.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Nature For Justice does
Nature For Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 and headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. The organization designs and delivers nature-based solutions programs targeting climate justice, operating across three regional pillars: the Africa NbS program (including the LeAP: Leadership for Africa's Parks capacity-building initiative), the First 30x30 Canada program focused on Indigenous-led conservation, and the Growing American Farmer Prosperity Program, which supports smallholder farmers in the United States. Its beneficiaries are Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and frontline communities historically impacted by environmental and economic inequities.
The organization generates financial support through a mix of foundation grants and corporate partnerships, with named funders including the Walmart Foundation, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, Patagonia, Cargill, RBC, TELUS, Domtar, and the IISAAK OLAM Foundation. In parallel, Nature For Justice operates a Social Performance & Safeguarding Consultancy Services line that monetizes its programmatic expertise for external clients. Its intellectual property centers on a proprietary Climate Justice Additionality Framework that distinguishes its approach from generic nature-based solutions providers, and impact measurement is supported through a partnership with EcosystemIQ.
Operationally, Nature For Justice runs with a small team of 11-50 employees, supports 150+ smallholder farmers across approximately 7,000 acres in the US, and engages 5 Indigenous Nations in Canada with 12 additional Nations in active discussion. The organization's go-to-market model relies on direct relationship-building with frontline communities and Indigenous governance structures, and on cultivating long-cycle corporate and foundation relationships aligned with ESG and nature-based solutions strategies. The nonprofit is led by CEO Hank Cauley (transitioning to the Board), with incoming CEO Nicci Mander slated to take over in September 2026.
Nature For Justice firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nature For Justice
- Legal name
- Nature For Justice
- Website
- https://nature4justice.earth
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Nature For Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers nature-based solutions programs supporting Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and frontline communities across the US, Canada, and Africa, funded by foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and a safeguarding consultancy line.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nature For Justice industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Climate Justice and Nature-Based Solutions Nonprofits
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC), Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems (EUABABAD), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK), Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), Environmental Policy, Advocacy & Litigation (BPAGAGAG)
Keywords
Where Nature For Justice is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Nature For Justice business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grants and Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, N4J receives grant funding from foundations and individual donors. Funders include Walmart Foundation, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, and others supporting specific programs.
- Nature Credit Markets: N4J connects communities to global nature credit markets to help secure financing for conservation and restoration efforts. Revenue is generated through carbon credits, biodiversity credits, and water credits where appropriate for Indigenous-led conservation.
- Regenerative Agriculture Value Chains: Smallholder farmers organized into collaborative groups collectively meet volume and quality standards required by commercial buyers. Farmers generate income through climate-resilient agriculture and associated value chains.
- Consulting Services: N4J provides social performance and safeguarding consultancy services to nature-based solutions project developers, investors, funders, and implementers. Services include social impact assessment, FPIC implementation, and capacity development.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Nature For Justice product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nature For Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers nature-based solutions programs connecting frontline rural communities, Indigenous Nations, and smallholder farmers to global nature markets, grant funding, and technical resources. Its core offerings include three regional programs (Africa NbS, First 30x30 Canada, Growing American Farmer Prosperity), social performance and safeguarding consultancy services, and the LeAP conservation leadership program. The organization applies proprietary frameworks such as the Climate Justice Additionality Framework and Beyond Carbon Project Design Approach, structured around blended finance mechanisms.
Product overview
Nature For Justice operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization offering nature-based solutions for climate justice. The core portfolio consists of three regional programs: the Africa Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) Program supporting rural communities with ecosystem restoration and climate-resilient agriculture; the First 30×30 Canada Program advancing Indigenous-led conservation and protected areas; and the Growing American Farmer Prosperity Program helping U.S. smallholder farmers adopt regenerative agriculture practices. These programs are complemented by Social Performance & Safeguarding Consultancy Services that help other NbS project developers ensure community protection and compliance, and the LeAP (Leadership for Africa's Parks) initiative building conservation leadership capacity. The organization connects grassroots initiatives to global nature markets, grant funding, and technical resources, with a focus on empowering Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and frontline rural communities as architects of climate resilience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- First 30x30 Canada: A program supporting Indigenous governments in Canada to develop Indigenous-led nature-based solutions and forest carbon projects that generate long-term revenue for climate, biodiversity, and community benefits.
Products and services
- Africa Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) Program A program that identifies, co-creates, and supports high-integrity nature-based solutions across Africa, protecting rural livelihoods and generating sustainable income through ecosystem restoration and climate-resilient agriculture. Projects safeguard food and water resources, create green jobs, restore natural capital, and conserve biodiversity across priority landscapes. Designed for smallholder farmers and rural communities across African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, and Mali.
- First 30x30 Canada (Indigenous-Led Conservation in Canada) A collaborative initiative with IISAAK OLAM Foundation and Nature Focus Development that supports Indigenous governments in developing Indigenous-led nature-based solutions and forest carbon projects generating long-term revenue for climate, biodiversity, and community benefits. The program aims to complete 25 project pre-feasibility studies and 10 full feasibility studies with Indigenous governments over five years. Designed for Indigenous governments and Nations in Canada.
- Growing American Farmer Prosperity Program A U.S.-based program supporting smallholder farmers in transitioning to regenerative agricultural practices. Provides targeted financial support, expert technical assistance, small farm aggregation, data-driven impact tracking, regional knowledge hubs, peer-led influencer engagement, partnership ecosystem access, and next-generation farmer recruitment to lower entry barriers and make farming more accessible and financially viable. Designed for smallholder and BIPOC farmers in the United States.
- Social Performance & Safeguarding Consultancy Services Consultancy services for nature-based solutions project developers, investors, funders, and implementers. Includes social impact and risk assessment, stakeholder engagement and FPIC strategy and implementation support, and capacity development and training on Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Services ensure projects are fair, inclusive, sustainable, and compliant with international social performance and safeguarding standards.
- LeAP: Leadership for Africa's Parks A leadership development program for conservation in Africa, co-designed with regional wildlife colleges and national universities, supporting new conservation leaders through capacity development initiatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 150 farmers engaged, nearly 7,000 acres under regenerative practices, over $1 million disbursed to farmers in North Carolina
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Nature For Justice
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Nature For Justice technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Nature For Justice partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IISAAK Olam FoundationcoreKey implementation partner for First 30x30 Canada Program, collaborating on Indigenous-led conservation and forest carbon projects. The IISAAK Olam Foundation brings expertise in Indigenous rights and conservation, co-leading the program alongside N4J and Nature Focus Development.
- Nature Focus DevelopmentcoreImplementation partner in First 30x30 Canada Program, collaborating with N4J and IISAAK Olam Foundation to support Indigenous governments in developing conservation initiatives.
- ACT CommoditiescorePartner in nature-based solutions and carbon market activities, supporting climate finance initiatives.
- Planet WomencorePartner focused on women's leadership and environmental advocacy, supporting N4J's mission.
- Nature Conservation Research CentrecoreLocal partner in Africa providing expertise in nature conservation and community engagement.
- The Corps NetworkminorPartner supporting youth corps and conservation service programs aligned with N4J's environmental mission.
- West Africa BlueminorPartner focused on blue economy and sustainable development in West Africa.
- Alabaster InternationalminorPartner in sustainable development and environmental initiatives.
- Apex Conservation ServicesminorPartner providing conservation and environmental services.
- Asia Carbon InstituteminorPartner focused on carbon markets and climate solutions in Asia.
- BioTrade VenturesminorPartner in biodiversity trade and sustainable commerce.
- CultivominorPartner in nature-based solutions and land restoration.
- Gouritz Cluster Biosphere ReserveminorPartner in South Africa focused on biosphere reserve conservation and sustainable development.
- Habitat Acquisition TrustminorPartner focused on habitat conservation and land acquisition for protection.
- AliadosminorPartner supporting alliance building and collaborative initiatives.
- Cornelia's Climate CornerminorPartner focused on climate education and community engagement.
- LeAP (Leadership for Africa's Parks)coreLeadership for Africa's Parks (LeAP) is a program focused on protected area management and conservation training in Africa, co-designed with regional wildlife colleges and national universities, supporting new conservation leaders.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Nature For Justice competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Pachama: Tech-enabled nature-based carbon credit marketplace that uses satellite monitoring and ML to verify forest carbon projects and sell credits to corporate buyers. Adjacent comparable to N4J's nature credit market access work, though more focused on forestry and tech infrastructure than community-led delivery.
Direct peers
- Rare: Global conservation NGO using behavior change, protected area management, and sustainable livelihoods approaches; N4J board member Annie Schouw is Rare's CDO. Comparable methodology (community-led, behavioral, outcomes-tracked) and donor base for nature and climate programs.
- IISAAK Olam Foundation: Indigenous-led conservation foundation focused on Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) across Canada. Co-lead implementation partner on N4J's First 30x30 Canada Program — same geography, same IPCA delivery model, same target partners (Indigenous Nations).
- South Pole Group: Climate solutions provider and carbon credit developer that helps corporates buy high-integrity nature-based credits and develops NbS projects globally. Comparable to N4J's nature credit market access work and Social Performance & Safeguarding Consultancy (N4J acts as ACT Commodities' partner).
- Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI): Global coalition advancing land, territorial, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities — with N4J board member Bryson Ogden as Director of its Rights and Livelihoods Program. Directly comparable to N4J's First 30x30 Canada program and justice-centered NbS framing.
Broad incumbents
- World Resources Institute: Global research and policy organization operating in food, forests, water, and climate, with active work on regenerative agriculture, nature-based solutions, and Indigenous land rights. Comparable thought-leadership position, climate-finance focus, and corporate sustainability partnerships.
- Wildlife Conservation Society: Global conservation organization running field programs, including in Africa, with growing focus on community-led conservation and NbS. Overlaps with N4J's Africa program geography and partner universe but with substantially larger scale and longer track record.
- The Nature Conservancy: Largest US-based environmental nonprofit with global programs in conservation, regenerative agriculture, and nature-based solutions, including forest carbon and corporate supply chain programs (e.g., Cargill partnership). Overlaps with N4J's three program geographies (US, Africa, Canada).
- Conservation International: Global conservation NGO with programs across Africa, the Americas, and Asia that funds, develops, and validates high-integrity nature-based solutions and forest carbon projects. Board member Michael O'Brien-Onyeka is N4J's former Chief of Global Partnerships; comparable mission, geography, and corporate partner profile.
Others
- Verra: Operator of the leading voluntary carbon market standards (VCS, CCB) used to issue credits from NbS projects. Ecosystem-level comparable to N4J: N4J's Climate Justice Additionality Framework positions it to influence or align with Verra's evolving social safeguards and integrity rules.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nature For Justice social profiles
Digital presenceNature For Justice financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nature For Justice leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
Nature For Justice funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nature For Justice 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 Nature For Justice
What does Nature For Justice do?
Nature For Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers nature-based solutions programs connecting frontline rural communities, Indigenous Nations, and smallholder farmers to global nature markets, grant funding, and technical resources. Its core offerings include three regional programs (Africa NbS, First 30x30 Canada, Growing American Farmer Prosperity), social performance and safeguarding consultancy services, and the LeAP conservation leadership program. The organization applies proprietary frameworks such as the Climate Justice Additionality Framework and Beyond Carbon Project Design Approach, structured around blended finance mechanisms.
Is Nature For Justice a public or private company?
Nature For Justice is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Nature For Justice founded?
Nature For Justice was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Nature For Justice based?
Nature For Justice is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Nature For Justice make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Grants and Donations are the primary driver. The others are nature Credit Markets, regenerative Agriculture Value Chains and consulting Services.
Who are Nature For Justice's main competitors?
Pachama is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Rare, IISAAK Olam Foundation, South Pole Group and Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). Broad incumbents are World Resources Institute, Wildlife Conservation Society, The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International. Verra is listed as an others.
Does Nature For Justice have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nature For Justice.
What industry is Nature For Justice in?
Nature For Justice's product category is Climate Justice and Nature-Based Solutions Nonprofits. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAL, Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health, with a secondary code of EUABABAC, Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation). Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8600.