Our Vision
A world where the rights of Indigenous peoples are respected and rainforests flourish.
Our Purpose
The purpose of Rainforest Foundation US is to support Indigenous peoples and forest communities in their efforts to secure their lands, protect their environment, and uphold their rights.
Rainforest Foundation founder Sting with Raoni Metuktire, Chief of the Megranoti-Kayapo people, Xingu Indigenous Territory, Brazil, in November 1990. • Credit: Sue Cunningham
Our History
In 1988, Chief Raoni of Brazil’s Indigenous Kayapo people asked Sting and Trudie Styler to support the Kayapo—to protect their traditional lands and culture.
Sting and Trudie established Rainforest Foundation shortly after this historic meeting, and spent the organization’s formative years fighting for the Kayapo peoples’ land rights. The collaboration led to a historic success in 1993: the legal recognition and protection of over 12 million acres (4.9 million hectares) of Menkragnoti Territory, the ancestral lands of the Kayapo.
This foundation of collaboration and respect has been at the core of Rainforest Foundation US’s (RFUS) work. From 1994, RFUS continued expanding its land rights, rainforest protection, and institutional strengthening programs, and now works with Indigenous peoples and communities in other regions of Brazil and throughout the Amazon, Central America, and Mexico.
Rainforest Foundation founder Sting with Raoni Metuktire, Chief of the Megranoti-Kayapo people, Xingu Indigenous Territory, Brazil, in November 1990. • Credit: Sue Cunningham
Justice
Our work is grounded in a deep commitment to defending the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. We recognize the historical and ongoing inequities that shape the spaces in which we operate and are committed to supporting Indigenous peoples’ self-determination. Justice is not a fixed goal, but a collective, evolving process and a commitment to building a more just and livable world for all.
Respect
Respect for people is foundational to how we work. We honor the inherent dignity and value of all peoples and cultures, with deep regard for Indigenous peoples and local communities, recognizing their unique connections to land and their right to self-determination. We build relationships rooted in collaboration, mutual trust, and shared purpose, striving to incorporate diverse forms of knowledge and cosmovisions. Respect means listening first, showing up with humility, and supporting our partners’ autonomy and their long-term goals.
Integrity
Integrity means consistently, transparently, and honestly aligning our actions with our values. We act with authenticity and courage, even when it is difficult or goes unseen, and we hold ourselves accountable to our partners. This includes being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us and making decisions rooted in fairness and trust. We are committed to embodying our purpose in every relationship and action.
Learning
We embrace learning as a continuous, collaborative process rooted in humility, curiosity, and a deep respect for diverse knowledge systems. Guided by our Indigenous and local community partners, we listen first, remain open to change, and co-create solutions grounded in their priorities and realities. After decades of experience, we recognize that growth requires critical self-reflection and the flexibility to adapt in a rapidly evolving world. Our commitment to learning drives innovation and sharpens our impact across everything we do.
Connection
We believe in the power of connection to people, to nature, and to a shared future grounded in justice and wellbeing. We foster solidarity, compassion, and community among our team and through deep relationships with Indigenous and local partners and allies, based on respect and collective purpose. We believe in a better future and in the power of people to shape it. Love for people and planet fuels our work and reminds us that lasting change is only possible through shared effort and unity.
The Rainforest Foundation Family
There are three national sister organizations, based in the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
All three share the same purpose and vision, and each specializes in different geographies: Rainforest Foundation US works in Central and South America, Rainforest Foundation UK works mostly in the Congo Basin, and Rainforest Foundation Norway operates in across the tropical belt. Today, the three organizations combined comprise the biggest NGO working on rights-based forest protection worldwide.
