Idaho Rivers United

What Idaho Rivers United does

Idaho Rivers United (IRU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1990 and headquartered in Boise, Idaho. It is the only Idaho-based organization focused exclusively on protecting and restoring the state's rivers, fisheries, and clean water resources, operating across six core program areas: Conservation Campaigns (including Wild & Scenic River designations), Wild Fish Protection & Recovery (salmon and steelhead), Mining Reform, Clean Water Access, Hydropower Reform, and River Stewardship & Advocacy. IRU's primary constituents are individual river enthusiasts, paddlers, anglers, and conservation-minded Idaho residents, supplemented by tribal nations (Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock, Salish Kootenai, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Shoshone-Paiute), Idaho breweries participating in the Idaho Brewshed Alliance, and federal/state policymakers engaged through FERC relicensing, mining permit reviews, and water quality certification processes.

IRU delivers its mission through advocacy campaigns, technical and policy documents (e.g., the Boise River Report Card, economic reports on Lower Snake River Dam removal), educational multimedia, and grassroots mobilization. It holds a central role on the steering committee of the Hydropower Reform Coalition, a 160-organization national consortium, and works alongside American Rivers, American Whitewater, Trout Unlimited, and the Alabama Rivers Alliance as a founding/leadership member. The organization produces an annual report, news commentary on active regulatory matters (Stibnite Gold Project, Hells Canyon FERC relicensing, Columbia/Snake River salmon litigation), and curated educational content.

IRU's business model is a nonprofit diversified revenue stack: individual donations and recurring memberships (the largest stream), grants funding specific conservation programs, merchandise sales through the IRU Gear Store, and special events including the Maravia Raffle and Brewshed Alliance festivals. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on email outreach, social media, volunteer programs, events, and storytelling to grow its supporter base. There is no disclosed revenue, no commercial pricing, and the organization is not part of a larger corporate structure.

Name

Idaho Rivers United

Legal name

Idaho Rivers United

Website

https://idahorivers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Idaho Rivers United is a Boise-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that exclusively advocates for the protection and restoration of Idaho's rivers, fisheries, and clean water through policy engagement, education, and grassroots community action.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

River Conservation Advocacy

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
• Wild fish recovery
• Watershed protection
• Environmental advocacy
• Hydropower reform

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: IRU raises funds through individual donations, membership fees, and supporter contributions. The organization encourages recurring support through its 'Join IRU' and 'Donate' programs.
2. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an IRU Gear Store selling branded merchandise, swag, and apparel to supporters.
3. Grants and Funded Programs: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, IRU receives grants to fund specific conservation campaigns, technical documents, and programmatic work.
4. Special Events and Campaigns: IRU generates revenue through special events such as the Maravia Raffle and Brewshed Alliance festival events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Idaho Rivers United is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects and restores Idaho's rivers, fisheries, and clean water through six core conservation programs: Conservation Campaigns (Wild & Scenic River designations and water policy), Wild Fish Protection & Recovery (salmon and steelhead), Mining Reform, Clean Water Access, Hydropower Reform, and grassroots River Stewardship & Advocacy. Its offerings to supporters include memberships and donations, the IRU Gear Store (branded merchandise), the Maravia Raffle fundraiser, the Idaho Brewshed Alliance brewery partnership, the Guide Education Program, educational films and salmon lifecycle resources, and the annual Boise River Report Card.

Product overview

Idaho Rivers United is a conservation non-profit organization (501(c)(3), EIN 82-0439916) offering advocacy programs and initiatives rather than commercial products. The organization provides six core conservation programs: Conservation Campaigns (river protection and Wild & Scenic designations), Wild Fish Protection & Recovery (salmon and steelhead advocacy), Mining Reform, Clean Water Access initiatives, Hydropower Reform (via the Hydropower Reform Coalition), and River Stewardship & Advocacy. Additional offerings include the Idaho Brewshed Alliance (a brewery partnership program), Educational Resources (films, activities, games about salmon), the Boise River Report Card, and Technical Documents/reports. Founded in 1990, the organization focuses exclusively on protecting and restoring Idaho's rivers and fisheries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IRU Membership (Join IRU) Recurring membership program for individual supporters of Idaho Rivers United, providing sustained financial support for the organization's conservation work protecting Idaho's rivers, fisheries, and clean water.
• Donation Program Direct donation program enabling supporters to make one-time or recurring contributions to fund IRU's conservation campaigns, advocacy work, and program operations.
• IRU Gear Store Own e-commerce storefront selling branded IRU merchandise, swag, and apparel directly to supporters as a fundraising channel.
• Maravia Raffle Fundraising raffle event in which supporters purchase tickets for a chance to win prizes, with proceeds supporting IRU's conservation work.
• Idaho Brewshed Alliance Brewery partnership program in which Idaho breweries and cideries pledge to protect the watersheds that supply their brewing water, co-hosting events, happy hours, pub crawls, beer releases, and the annual Brewshed Festival.
• Guide Education Program Educational program for river guides to deepen their understanding of river stewardship, conservation advocacy, and IRU's mission to protect Idaho's rivers.
• Educational Films and Salmon Lifecycle Resources Educational multimedia offerings including the films 'Wrong Mine, Wrong Place', 'Super Salmon', and 'Idaho's Salmon', plus salmon lifecycle FAQs, coloring books, educational games, and activities for children about conservation.
• Boise River Report Card Annual assessment report evaluating the health and conditions of the Boise River, providing a publicly accessible scorecard for water quality and ecosystem indicators.

Quantifiable outcome

• IRU has safekept imperiled wild steelhead and salmon for over three decades through sustained advocacy and policy engagement.

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

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hydropower Reform CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIdaho Rivers United plays a central role on the steering committee of the Hydropower Reform Coalition, an organization that protects, enhances, and restores America's rivers, watersheds, and communities affected by hydropower operations. The Coalition is comprised of 160 conservation organizations throughout the United States and engages in policy, standards, licensing, and projects surrounding hydropower issues.
• Nimiipuu (Nez Perce)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) tribe has been an active participant in IRU's campaigns and programming, particularly around salmon recovery and river protection in Idaho.
• Shoshone-BannockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Shoshone-Bannock tribe has been an active participant in IRU's campaigns and programming, particularly around salmon recovery and river protection.
• Salish KootenaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salish Kootenai tribe has been an active participant in IRU's campaigns and programming around river protection and conservation.
• Kootenai Tribe of IdahocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kootenai Tribe of Idaho has been an active participant in IRU's campaigns and programming around river protection and conservation.
• Shoshone-PaiutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Shoshone-Paiute tribe has been an active participant in IRU's campaigns and programming around river protection and conservation.
• Payette Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPayette Brewing Company is a partner in the Idaho Brewshed Alliance, taking a pledge to help protect the watersheds that make their beer. The alliance organizes events including happy hours, pub crawls, beer releases, and festivals.
• 10 Barrel BrewingminorGTM or Marketing Partner10 Barrel Brewing is a partner in the Idaho Brewshed Alliance, taking a pledge to help protect the watersheds that make their beer.
• Sockeye BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSockeye Brewing is a partner in the Idaho Brewshed Alliance, taking a pledge to help protect the watersheds that make their beer.
• Sawtooth BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSawtooth Brewery is a partner in the Idaho Brewshed Alliance, taking a pledge to help protect the watersheds that make their beer.
• Meriwether CiderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeriwether Cider is a partner in the Idaho Brewshed Alliance, taking a pledge to help protect the watersheds that make their cider.
• American RiverscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Rivers is a key partner within the Hydropower Reform Coalition. IRU works closely with American Rivers alongside American Whitewater, Trout Unlimited, and the Alabama Rivers Alliance as founding and leadership team members of the Coalition.
• American WhitewatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Whitewater is a key partner within the Hydropower Reform Coalition, working alongside IRU, American Rivers, Trout Unlimited, and the Alabama Rivers Alliance.
• Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrout Unlimited is a key partner within the Hydropower Reform Coalition, working alongside IRU, American Rivers, American Whitewater, and the Alabama Rivers Alliance.
• Alabama Rivers AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlabama Rivers Alliance is a key partner within the Hydropower Reform Coalition, working alongside IRU, American Rivers, American Whitewater, and Trout Unlimited.
• Idaho Brewers AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Idaho Brewers Association is referenced as a partner resource for information about the state of Idaho's breweries and their role in the Brewshed Alliance ecosystem.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Whitewater: National nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring whitewater rivers and the paddling experience. Direct peer: co-leadership within the Hydropower Reform Coalition and shared focus on hydropower relicensing, river flows, and paddler-driven conservation advocacy.
• Idaho Conservation League: Idaho's statewide environmental advocacy organization working on conservation policy, public lands, and clean water. Direct peer: operates in the same geography with overlapping advocacy on mining, water quality, and river protection but covers broader environmental issues beyond rivers alone.
• American Rivers: National river conservation nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring rivers across the United States. Direct peer: IRU works alongside American Rivers within the Hydropower Reform Coalition and addresses overlapping issues in hydropower reform, wild & scenic designations, and dam removal advocacy.
• Alabama Rivers Alliance: State-level river advocacy coalition in Alabama that brings together conservation organizations around river protection. Direct peer: founded co-leader of the Hydropower Reform Coalition alongside IRU, American Rivers, American Whitewater, and Trout Unlimited; structurally analogous state-based river coalition.
• Save Our Wild Salmon: Regional coalition advocating for the restoration of wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake River basins. Direct peer: IRU is referenced in IRU's own materials as an active campaign partner on the Columbia/Snake River salmon campaign and shared litigation wins.
• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater fisheries conservation organization with active programs across Idaho on salmon and steelhead recovery. Direct peer: shares IRU's core mission of wild fish protection, hydropower reform advocacy, and watershed restoration; co-leads the Hydropower Reform Coalition.
• Pacific Rivers Council: Pacific Northwest nonprofit working to protect and restore rivers, watersheds, and native fish populations. Direct peer: shares IRU's geographic and topical focus on hydropower reform, native salmonids, and watershed integrity in the greater Pacific Northwest.

Regional players

• WaterWatch of Oregon: Oregon-based nonprofit advocating for river flows, water rights reform, and instream water allocation. Comparable in scope and advocacy model but operates in a neighboring Pacific Northwest state rather than directly within Idaho.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/idahoriversunited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idaho-rivers-united

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Idaho Rivers United