My Nonprofit Reviews
Rainmaker
Review for Rainforest Action Network, San Francisco, CA, USA
RAN works tirelessly to protect the world's forests. They've been at it since 1985 and have saved millions of acres and help amplify the voices of indigneous allies and affected communities - from forests to coal fields. They're work to save forests doesn't stop at the logging companies - RAN focuses on greening the energy grid and getting America off Oil and Coal. They target the world's biggest banks to adopt policies that remove their investments from supporting dirty energy. They have helped build and galvanize coalitions of groups to amplify the effectiveness around the campaigns. They are working to save the Amazon from Soy planted by the biggest agribusinesses in teh world. They are fighting to do the same in Indonesia where Oil Palm is the biggest contributor to deforestation (as well as helping put Indonesia in 3rd place globally when it comes to green house gas emissions.) They are also working to stop the Alberta Tar Sands project - dupped the "Most Destructive Project in the World". And they are working in Japan to undermine the market for rainforest fiber from Tasmania which is turned into copy and toilet paper. There's more - check out their web site: http://ww.ran.org
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
multiple publications and in the media. Last night a coal rights activist, Maria Gunnoo, was being acknowledged at the prestigious Goldman Awards for Environmental Excellence. RAN gave her an award to support her work 2 years ago.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Work harder to get higher profile in the media. These guys are amazing!
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The energy and passion of the people involved.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
committed, excellent, passionate and caring people. They are true believers that we all must do what we can to protect the Earth for future generations, and that corporate profit and plunder is over as business-as-usual.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Effectively stop the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the US and stop agribusiness from destroying the Amazon and the rainforests of Indonesia - and stop the Tar Sands project in Alberta. I suspect that they'd spend the money on grassroots organizing and media.
Ways to make it better...
I had worn better shoes.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
The size of it's targets - but they've never lost a campaign. And also the economic downturn - I worry that they - and other worthy groups - will be financially challenged in the next couple of years.
One thing I'd also say is that...
RAN rocks! Like Greenpeace with their tactics but smaller, more transparent and compassionate in a way that the other eco organizations don't seem to be. Where you would expect anger there seems to be concern and understanding.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
