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Rainforest Fund Inc

EIN 13-3710434 · New York, NY

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT & SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES & TRADITIONAL POPULATIONS OF THE RAINFOREST IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PROTECT THEIR ENVIRONMENT & DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES, & TO CHALLENGE GOVERNMENT PRACTICES WHICH HAVE A DAMAGING EFFECT ON THEIR ENVIRONMENT.THE ORGANIZATION (ORG") CARRIES OUT ITS MISSION BY FUNDING PROGRAMS & PROJECTS AIMED AT SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TRADITIONAL POPULATIONS OF THE RAINFOREST TO ASSERT & DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, TO FIGHT AGAINST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS WHICH HAVE DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THEIR ENVIRONMENT, AND TO CARRY OUT VARIOUS PROJECTS PROMOTING THE GOVERNANCE & THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.THE ORG PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS IN THE FIELD UNDERTAKEN BY RELATED NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CALLED RAINFOREST FOUNDATION ("FDN") NORWAY, RAINFOREST FDN UK, & RAINFOREST FDN US; OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN THE FIELDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS & THE ENVIRONMENT CAN SEEK THE ORG'S SUPPORT.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
45.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 55%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 45.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $80,000 spent. WEST PAPUA -"RF NORWAY (WEST PAPUA)" THIS PROJECT AIMS TO PROTECT RAINFORESTS IN SOUTHWEST AND WEST PAPUA THROUGH STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS. IT EMPHASIZES SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS AND THE ROLES OF WOMEN AND YOUTH IN FOREST CONSERVATION. VILLAGE-LEVEL DECISION-MAKING AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' RIGHTS ARE CENTRAL COMPONENTS.
  2. $80,000 spent. PANAMA- "RF US (PANAMA)" THIS PROJECT FOCUSES ON SECURING LAND RIGHTS FOR LOCAL PARTNERS, ENHANCING TERRITORIAL GOVERNANCE, AND BOLSTERING PARTNER CAPACITY FOR FOREST PROTECTION. THE PROJECT SUPPORTS MANAGEMENT OF 2.8 MILLIONHECTARES AND GOVERNANCE OVER 6.9 MILLION HECTARES USING TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING. ITS GOAL IS TO STRENGTHEN FOREST PROTECTION AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS.
  3. $80,000 spent. BRAZIL - "AMAZONI ALERTA (BRAZIL)" THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS TWO INDIGENOUS GUARDIAN TEAMS: THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL AGENTS IN ARARIBIA AND A NEW TEAM IN URU-EU-WAU-WAU. IT COVERS START-UP COSTS SUCH AS EQUIPMENT, UNIFORMS, GPS DEVICES, AND DRONES, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT. THE PROJECT ALSO FUNDS THE SALARY OF KARI GUAJAJARA, A LEADING INDIGENOUS LAWYER, TO OVERSEE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS.
  4. $619,692 spent. THE ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAMS SERVICES ARE PRIMARILY BASED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. SEE SCHEDULES F AND I FOR PROGRAM SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of December 31, 2004. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.