River Alliance of Wisconsin

What River Alliance of Wisconsin does

River Alliance of Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered at 612 W Main St. STE 200 in Madison, Wisconsin. The organization operates with a small staff (1-10 employees) under the leadership of Executive Director Allison Werner and is governed by an independent Board of Directors. Over 30 years, it has built a role as the state's primary river and clean water advocacy organization, working through three pillars: direct support to local watershed groups, lobbying and policy advocacy for clean water protection laws, and long-term strategic vision-setting via policy documents such as the Wisconsin Water Agenda and Wisconsin Agricultural Agenda.

The organization does not develop proprietary technology products; its work is delivered through a portfolio of programs, publications, and events. Core programs include the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program, Dam Removal and Hydropower Reform, the Clean Water Now county-level resolution initiative, and ongoing partnerships with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership, Trout Unlimited chapters, and dozens of local watershed groups (e.g., Friends of Starkweather Creek, Friends of CamRock Park, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway). Public-facing outputs include the bi-monthly Word on the Stream e-newsletter, a triennial WaterWays print newsletter, the annual Fools' Flotilla paddling parade in Madison, and the Manoomin Rice Camp.

Revenue is generated exclusively through philanthropic channels: individual donations that confer membership, corporate gifts and event sponsorships, public and private foundation grants, the Leadership Circle of major donors ($1,000+ annually), planned/legacy gifts via the Water Legacy Circle, and event-based fundraising such as kayak raffles. Geographic focus is Wisconsin, with secondary reach into the Upper Great Lakes region. The fiscal year runs October 1 to September 30.

Name

River Alliance of Wisconsin

Legal name

The River Alliance of Wisconsin, Inc.

Website

https://wisconsinrivers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

River Alliance of Wisconsin is a 30-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Madison that empowers Wisconsin residents to protect and restore the state's rivers, lakes, and groundwater through local watershed group support, clean water policy advocacy, and strategic agenda-setting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental advocacy and water protection services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• River conservation advocacy
• Watershed protection services
• Clean water policy lobbying
• Environmental nonprofit advocacy
• Water resource protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison, WI

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to the organization through one-time or recurring gifts. Donations make individuals members and support all organizational activities including advocacy, local group support, and events.
2. Corporate Gifts and Sponsorships: Local businesses sponsor events such as Fools' Flotilla and provide annual sponsorships. Corporate gifts are part of the organization's diversified funding base.
3. Foundation Grants: Public and private foundation grants provide significant funding support. The organization's support comes from individual and corporate gifts along with public and private foundation grants.
4. Leadership Circle: Annual gifts of $1,000 or more from the Leadership Circle provide sustained major donor support for long-term water protection efforts.
5. Legacy Giving: Planned and estate gifts through the Water Legacy Circle allow donors to include River Alliance in their wills, retirement plans, life insurance, or charitable gift annuities.
6. Raffles and Special Events: The organization conducts kayak raffles and other special events where proceeds benefit water protection work. Tickets sold at $15 each or 5 for $50.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

River Alliance of Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers Wisconsin communities to protect and restore the state's waters through three core activities: grassroots support and capacity building for local watershed groups, lobbying and policy advocacy for clean water protection laws, and strategic vision-setting via the Wisconsin Water Agenda and Wisconsin Agricultural Agenda. It delivers this mission through membership donations, foundation grants, sponsorships, advocacy campaigns, volunteer monitoring programs, educational events, and community gatherings.

Product overview

River Alliance of Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has operated for over 30 years to protect and restore Wisconsin's waters. Rather than offering a unified software product, the organization delivers a portfolio of advocacy, education, recreation, and fundraising programs. Core programs include local watershed group support, lobbying for clean water protection laws, and a long-term strategic vision for Wisconsin's water protection system. The organization's programs are delivered through publications (WaterWays newsletter, Word on the Stream e-newsletter), events (Fools' Flotilla paddling parade, Manoomin Rice Camp), membership and volunteer programs, giving programs (Leadership Circle, Legacy Giving, annual sponsorships), and policy documents (Wisconsin Water Agenda, Wisconsin Agricultural Agenda). The organization also runs specific programmatic initiatives including an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program and a Dam Removal and Hydropower Reform program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Local Watershed Group Support Grassroots organizing and technical support provided to local water protection organizations across Wisconsin, strengthening their capacity to advocate for clean water at the community level. Aimed at local watershed groups such as Friends of Starkweather Creek and Friends of CamRock Park.
• Lobbying and Policy Advocacy Lobbying and policy advocacy for clean water protection laws, holding public agencies accountable for enforcing pollution laws, and providing expertise in pollution and agriculture law. Targets Wisconsin legislators, regulators, and local government bodies.
• Wisconsin Water Agenda
• Wisconsin Agricultural Agenda Policy goals document for sustainable farming and food systems, addressing the intersection of agriculture and water quality in Wisconsin. Aimed at policymakers, farmers, and water advocates.
• Dam Removal and Hydropower Reform Program Program addressing dam removal, hydropower relicensing reform, and fish passage improvements, including negotiation of settlement agreements and advocacy for river restoration. Aimed at Wisconsin policymakers, dam owners, and river advocates.
• Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program Program focused on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species through education, signage, wader wash stations, Clean Boats Clean Waters watercraft inspections, and volunteer training. Aimed at anglers, boaters, and watershed groups in Wisconsin.
• Clean Water Now Resolutions County-level advocacy initiative working with local leaders to pass resolutions affirming the right to clean water for all Wisconsin residents. Aimed at county boards and local government officials.
• WaterWays Newsletter and Word on the Stream e-Newsletter Periodic newsletter publications providing news about clean water protection, water issues, action alerts, and stories about people working to defend Wisconsin's water resources. WaterWays is a triennial print newsletter and Word on the Stream is the semimonthly digital edition. Aimed at River Alliance members and Wisconsin water advocates.
• Fools' Flotilla Annual free community paddling event on the Yahara River in Madison, part of the Marquette Neighborhood Association's Waterfront Festival, featuring a floating parade of canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards with costumes and live music. Open to Madison-area community members and paddlers.
• Manoomin Rice Camp Annual three-day hands-on educational camp offering experience learning about manoomin (wild rice), including reseeding rice beds, processing, and respectful harvesting techniques at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters. Family-friendly event open to the Wisconsin public.
• Membership Program Annual membership program offering action alerts, WaterWays newsletter, event invitations, and training opportunities in exchange for donations, supporting citizen advocacy and water protection efforts. Aimed at Wisconsin residents who support clean water protection.
• Leadership Circle Donor recognition program for supporters contributing $1,000 or more annually, ensuring long-term protection of Wisconsin's water resources. Aimed at high-net-worth individuals and major donors.
• Water Legacy Circle (Legacy Giving) Planned and legacy gift program enabling donors to include River Alliance in estate plans, including bequests, retirement plan beneficiaries, life insurance beneficiaries, and charitable gift annuities. Aimed at donors planning estate or planned gifts.
• Annual Sponsorships Annual sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations to support River Alliance of Wisconsin's mission, including public recognition and partner benefits. Aimed at local Wisconsin businesses and corporate partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• $50 supports training for 10 citizen advocates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trout Unlimited (Gary Borger and Lee Wulff Chapters)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrout Unlimited chapters partner with River Alliance on aquatic invasive species prevention efforts. Gary Borger and Lee Wulff Chapters sponsor AIS awareness signs on stiles near southwest Wisconsin trout streams. TU members also help protect streams from invasive species spread.
• Friends of the Lower Wisconsin RiverwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFLOW (Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway) collaborates with River Alliance on river protection, citizen advocacy, and native mussel rescue efforts. The group created a mussel rescue notification system and works on Lower Wisconsin Riverway protection.
• Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide partnership since the early 1970s that joins science, education, and citizens to empower people to work together to care for Wisconsin's waters. Recognized as a national model of collaboration. River Alliance participates in annual Lakes and Rivers Convention.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWDNR partners with River Alliance on dam removal, hydropower reform, aquatic invasive species prevention, native mussel research, and water quality monitoring. River Alliance staff serve as experts on dams and waterway issues.
• Rutabaga PaddlesportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRutabaga Paddlesports partners with River Alliance for events including Canoecopia presentations and kayak raffles. The paddle sports retailer hosts mussel rescue presentations and donates kayaks for fundraising raffles.
• EddylineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEddyline donated a Caribbean 14' kayak for a fundraising raffle benefiting River Alliance of Wisconsin.
• Friends of CamRock ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal watershed group that conducts water monitoring, prairie restoration, and park maintenance. Partners with River Alliance for organizing support and has raised approximately $50,000 for conservation work.
• Friends of Starkweather CreekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal 501(c)(3) nonprofit organized in 2002 that advocates for creek health through habitat improvement, trash removal, water testing, and PFAS pollution monitoring. Partners with River Alliance for organizing and resources.
• Eau Pleine Partnership for Integrated Conservation (EPPIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarathon County community partnership group focused on soil and water quality issues. Collaborates with River Alliance on watershed protection and conservation education.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Prairie Rivers Network: Prairie Rivers Network is an Illinois-based nonprofit that protects rivers, streams, and wetlands through advocacy, education, and grassroots organizing — a state-level freshwater advocacy peer with a near-identical mission structure to River Alliance.
• Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Partnership: A statewide Wisconsin collaboration that unites science, education, and citizens to care for Wisconsin's waters — directly comparable in scope to River Alliance's local watershed group support and the annual Lakes and Rivers Convention.
• Clean Wisconsin: Clean Wisconsin is a statewide environmental advocacy nonprofit that litigates and lobbies on clean water, clean air, and clean energy issues in Wisconsin — directly paralleling River Alliance's advocacy and lobbying role for Wisconsin's waters.
• Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters: Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is a state-level environmental advocacy organization that engages voters, lobbies legislators, and holds officials accountable on conservation votes — a comparable Wisconsin-focused policy advocacy peer.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Wisconsin): The Nature Conservancy operates a Wisconsin chapter focused on land and water conservation at a much larger scale — a broad incumbent in the same freshwater protection space with overlapping programs on rivers, watersheds, and aquatic habitat.
• Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited is a national coldwater conservation organization with Wisconsin chapters that already partner with River Alliance on aquatic invasive species prevention — a broader but partially overlapping incumbent in river and stream conservation.
• Sierra Club (Wisconsin Chapter): Sierra Club's Wisconsin chapter pursues environmental advocacy across air, water, and land issues — a broad national-incumbent peer that competes with River Alliance for Wisconsin environmental donors and volunteers.
• Izaak Walton League of America: The Izaak Walton League is a national conservation organization with state divisions that engages members in watershed monitoring, habitat restoration, and water policy — overlapping with River Alliance's volunteer water monitoring and policy work.
• American Rivers: American Rivers is a national river advocacy nonprofit focused on protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and dam removal — the closest national-scale analog to River Alliance's mission and dam-removal advocacy work.

Regional players

• Minnesota Waters: Minnesota Waters is a statewide nonprofit lake and river advocacy organization that convenes lake and river associations — closely paralleling River Alliance's structure and programs but focused on the neighboring state of Minnesota.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/riveralliancewi
• Facebookfacebook.com/riveralliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/riveralliancewi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/river-alliance-of-wisconsin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about River Alliance of Wisconsin