Protect Our Rivers

What Protect Our Rivers does

Protect Our Rivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2021 by Sarah Nelson following a transformative Cataract Canyon river trip with Down River Equipment. The organization operates three core programs: a River Cleanups Program that organizes 30+ on-water and on-land cleanup events annually across multiple U.S. states; a River Access Program that provides free whitewater rafting, fishing, and environmental education experiences to at-risk and underserved youth via partnerships with local outfitters; and a watershed Education Program delivered in elementary and middle schools. The organization operates a brand ambassador volunteer leadership program and runs its own e-commerce storefront on the protectourrivers.org Wix site, with merchandise printed locally in Colorado.

The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit funding structure rather than a commercial revenue model. Recurring revenue comes from a two-tier membership program ($25 Tributary, $100 Signature, billed annually via Donorbox). One-time and discretionary revenue comes from tax-deductible donations (Donorbox), merchandise sales ($5–$50 unit pricing), and corporate partnerships. Strategic partners include Fortune 500 packaging company Ball Corporation, regional craft brewery Odell Brewing Company (5-year cause-marketing partnership with logo on Lagerado cans, credited with 41 cleanups, 4,368 volunteers, and 51,341 lbs of trash), Down River Equipment (founding partner), Bureau of Land Management (5th-year National Public Lands Day host), Trout Unlimited, and an outdoor-industry retailer discount network (Orvis, Kokopelli, Astral, Riversmith, Tune).

The organization's underlying technology is minimal: a Wix-based website, EventCreate for event registration, and Donorbox for donations and memberships, with no mobile app, no API, no proprietary software, and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. The "platform" is fundamentally a volunteer coordination and event-management operation, not a software product. Operating geographies now span Colorado, Arizona, and Florida with stated national-reach ambition. Leadership is founder-led with a small staff (program manager plus brand ambassadors) and a board that includes a Colorado Assistant Attorney General from the Federal and Interstate Water Unit and founders of Good River Beer.

Name

Protect Our Rivers

Legal name

Protect Our Rivers

Website

https://protectourrivers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Protect Our Rivers is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 that organizes community-driven river cleanups across the U.S., provides free river access experiences to underserved youth, and delivers watershed education, funded through donations, memberships, merchandise, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• River conservation services
• Watershed education programs
• Community river cleanups
• Youth outdoor access
• Environmental nonprofit programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Wheat Ridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership Program: Annual membership tiers ($25 Tributary, $100 Signature) offering member stickers, retailer discounts, VIP event access, and exclusive merchandise. Every dollar earned goes back into river initiatives.
2. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce storefront selling branded merchandise including hats ($30), t-shirts ($20-$35), hoodies ($40), flags ($50), stickers ($5), and baby onesies ($25). Products are locally printed in Colorado.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations through Donorbox platform. Donations fund cleanups, trash removal, and youth river programs. Every dollar goes back into river initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Protect Our Rivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes community river cleanup events across the United States, provides free river experiences (white water rafting, fishing, environmental education) to at-risk and underserved youth through local outfitter partnerships, and delivers watershed education to elementary and middle school students. Funding for these programs comes from individual donations processed via Donorbox, two tiers of annual membership, and branded merchandise (apparel, stickers, flags) sold through the organization's own online store.

Product overview

Protect Our Rivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering conservation programs centered around three pillars: Conservation (river cleanups), Access (youth river experiences), and Education (watershed education). The organization also operates a merchandise shop selling branded apparel including hats, t-shirts, hoodies, onesies, stickers, and flags; a two-tier membership program (Tributary at $25/year and Signature at $100/year); and a Brand Ambassador volunteer leadership program. All programs work together to empower individuals and communities to take meaningful action for river health while inspiring lifelong stewardship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• River Cleanups Program Organizes 30+ river cleanup events annually across the U.S., removing hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash from waterways. Includes on-water (kayak, canoe, raft) and on-land cleanup options at various sites. Open free of charge to individual volunteers and community participants.
• River Access Program Provides youth from at-risk and underprivileged backgrounds opportunities for meaningful river experiences including white water rafting, fishing, environmental education, and river stewardship activities, delivered free of charge through partner outfitters.
• Education & Watershed Program Distributes information about river issues, health, and care; offers watershed education programs for elementary and middle schools.
• Tributary Membership Annual supporting membership at $25/year offering a special Protect Our Rivers sticker, discounts from Retailer Partners, discounts on limited release merch, and VIP access at Signature Events.
• Signature Membership Annual $100 membership including a special membership card recognized regionally by leading retailers and a Collective Force for River Good T-Shirt.
• Camo Protect Our Rivers Hat Embroidered Protect Our Rivers Logo on Otto 5-Panel Hat, priced at $30.
• River Gradient Sticker Gradient sticker resembling the colorful beauty of the river from river bottom to orange canyon walls, priced at $5.
• Do Some Good Tee 100% preshrunk soft jersey cotton t-shirt with tear-away removable labels, printed locally in Colorado, priced at $25.
• Protect Our Rivers Flag Protect Our Rivers branded flag, priced at $50.
• Baby Protector Onsie 100% ring-spun combed cotton onesie with envelope neckline and three-snap leg closure, priced at $25.
• Zip up Hoodie Full-zip hoodie, priced at $40.
• Collective Force for Good Tee - Vintage Black Vintage black t-shirt embodying the brand tagline and colorful spirit, priced at $35.
• Collective Force for Good Tee - Indigo 4.3 oz super soft triblend t-shirt in indigo (cotton, polyester, rayon), pre-shrunk with satin neck label, screen printed locally in Colorado, priced at $35.
• Downriver Equipment Collab Tee Collaboration t-shirt celebrating partnership with Down River Equipment (first founding partner), in cool blue pre-shrunk fabric, priced at $25.
• Kids Protect Our Rivers Tee Youth t-shirt made of 100% combed and ring-spun cotton, relaxed unisex fit with side-seamed construction, priced at $20.
• Brand Ambassador Program Volunteer leadership program where ambassadors take on responsibilities at events including setup/breakdown, check-in management, cleanup supply distribution, and representing the organization at fundraisers and celebrations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Removed 310,500+ pounds of trash from rivers over 5 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 20245th year partnership hosting National Public Lands Day river cleanup and celebration on the Upper Colorado River. BLM provides access to public lands for the annual event.
• A Brother's FountainminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Live music performer at National Public Lands Day 2026 celebration. First time live music has been brought to the event.
• Ball CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Leading partner providing exceptional support that helps Protect Our Rivers grow, innovate, and expand impact. Long-term commitment strengthens programs and fuels new initiatives. Partnership has enabled expansion to new states including Arizona and Florida for cleanup events. Ball Corporation is a Fortune 500 sustainability-focused company.
• Odell Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 20215-year partnership celebrated on Lagerado Crispy Lager packaging. Over 41 river cleanups organized, 4,368 volunteers mobilized, and 51,341 pounds of trash removed. Odell features Protect Our Rivers logo on all cans and carriers. Odell is a regional, independent, employee-owned craft brewery based in Fort Collins, CO.
• Denver Trout UnlimitedmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Signature partner collaborating on annual South Platte River Cleanup events. Trout Unlimited is a nonprofit dedicated to conserving coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.
• LavaboxmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Signature partner and event sponsor. Lavabox is a cannabis company that has integrated Protect Our Rivers into its business through fireanytime.com platform.
• The Trade DeskmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Signature partner providing support for Protect Our Rivers' marketing and advertising initiatives.
• Down River EquipmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Founding partner of Protect Our Rivers. Started the annual South Platte River Cleanup tradition in 2007 with Confluence Kayaks. Produces whitewater rafts and equipment. Created special collaboration t-shirt to celebrate partnership.
• RMA (River Mountain Access)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Program sponsor donating money and resources to support the River Access Program. Passionate about getting kids out on rivers to become future river protectors.
• Astral DesignsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Program sponsor for youth river access program. Outdoor gear company with environmental mission aligned with river protection.
• Raft Colorado WhitewatermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2021Local outfitter partner providing river experiences for youth access program. Donates equipment and expertise for at-risk youth river days.
• OrvisminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Community partner offering discounts to Protect Our Rivers members. Outdoor recreation brand focused on fishing and hunting.
• KokopelliminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Community partner and event sponsor. Paddlesports company that aligns with river conservation values.
• Tune OutdoorminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Community partner supporting events and offering member discounts. Outdoor industry brand.
• RiversmithminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Community partner and event sponsor. River gear company supporting cleanup events.
• OutdoorProLinkminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Community partner supporting conservation work through cleanup sponsorships and roundup programs.
• Pivot EnergyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Community partner with sustainability focus supporting river conservation efforts.
• DeloitteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021Community partner supporting conservation initiatives. Professional services firm with corporate sustainability commitments.
• Confluence KayaksmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Co-founded the annual South Platte River Cleanup with Down River Equipment in 2007. One of Colorado's oldest river cleanups.
• Good River BeermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021River-themed craft beer company founded by Preston Hartman. Co-founder Sarah Nelson previously served as Marketing Director. Award-winning Fu Fighter Belgian Style Ale named after Futaleufú River in Chile.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Riverkeeper: Waterway-protection nonprofit focused on the Hudson River and New York waterways, expanded nationally. Directly comparable mission of freshwater conservation, clean water advocacy, and community-based river stewardship.
• Surfrider Foundation: Grassroots nonprofit organizing beach and coastal cleanups with a chapter-based volunteer model. Highly comparable operating playbook (volunteer cleanups, brand-driven chapters, cause-marketing partnerships), though focused on coasts rather than rivers.
• American Rivers: National 501(c)(3) dedicated to protecting and restoring America's rivers. Closest direct peer to Protect Our Rivers in mission, geography (U.S. rivers), and operating model (advocacy + on-the-ground conservation), though larger in scale and policy-oriented.
• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater-fisheries and watershed conservation nonprofit that already partners with Protect Our Rivers on South Platte cleanups. Directly comparable river/watershed mission and grassroots volunteer chapter model.
• Ocean Conservancy: Organizer of the International Coastal Cleanup, the largest volunteer cleanup event in the world. Direct peer in mobilizing volunteers to remove trash from waterways and reporting impact metrics (pounds removed, volunteers engaged).
• Keep America Beautiful: National nonprofit organizing the Great American Cleanup and affiliate community cleanup programs. Comparable in mobilizing millions of volunteers to remove litter/debris and running cause-marketing partnerships with consumer brands.
• Leave No Trace: Outdoor ethics and conservation nonprofit focused on protecting natural areas through education and volunteer stewardship. Comparable in mission (waterway/outdoor protection), audience (outdoor enthusiasts), and education-driven engagement model.

Emerging players

• WildEarth Guardians: Activist nonprofit using legal advocacy and on-the-ground campaigns to protect rivers, wildlife, and wild places. Comparable in advocacy + direct-action mix for freshwater ecosystems, though more litigation-driven than volunteer-cleanup-driven.

Broad incumbents

• National Wildlife Federation: Large national conservation nonprofit with watershed and wildlife habitat programs. Overlapping audience (outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, families) and education-driven programming, though broader and more established than Protect Our Rivers.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest environmental nonprofits globally, with significant freshwater and river conservation programs. Comparable mission area but vastly larger scale, broader portfolio (land, ocean, climate), and more land-acquisition focused rather than volunteer cleanups.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/protectourrivers.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/protectourrivers
• Instagraminstagram.com/protectourrivers_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 Protect Our Rivers