Nature For Justice

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.

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

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

• Nature-based solutions
• Regenerative agriculture
• Indigenous-led conservation
• Blended climate finance
• Social performance consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Core 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

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IISAAK Olam FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey 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 DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner in First 30x30 Canada Program, collaborating with N4J and IISAAK Olam Foundation to support Indigenous governments in developing conservation initiatives.
• ACT CommoditiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in nature-based solutions and carbon market activities, supporting climate finance initiatives.
• Planet WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on women's leadership and environmental advocacy, supporting N4J's mission.
• Nature Conservation Research CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Africa providing expertise in nature conservation and community engagement.
• The Corps NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting youth corps and conservation service programs aligned with N4J's environmental mission.
• West Africa BlueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on blue economy and sustainable development in West Africa.
• Alabaster InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in sustainable development and environmental initiatives.
• Apex Conservation ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing conservation and environmental services.
• Asia Carbon InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on carbon markets and climate solutions in Asia.
• BioTrade VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in biodiversity trade and sustainable commerce.
• CultivominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in nature-based solutions and land restoration.
• Gouritz Cluster Biosphere ReserveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in South Africa focused on biosphere reserve conservation and sustainable development.
• Habitat Acquisition TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on habitat conservation and land acquisition for protection.
• AliadosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting alliance building and collaborative initiatives.
• Cornelia's Climate CornerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on climate education and community engagement.
• LeAP (Leadership for Africa's Parks)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership 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

Emerging 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/p/Nature-For-Justice-100064520869527
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nature-for-justice
• Instagraminstagram.com/NatureforJustice
• Xx.com/Nature4Justice

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nature For Justice