Our Impact

All of our work in partnership with Indigenous peoples is driven by our vision of a world where the rights of Indigenous peoples are respected and rainforests flourish.

Giving Tuesday—the international day of generosity—is December 3.

Thanks to your support, Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) and our Indigenous partners have protected millions of acres of rainforest across the Amazon and Central America this year. 

But rainforests face growing threats. Record-breaking fires, droughts, and deforestation continue to destroy biodiversity and rainforests and harm the communities who live there.

Right now, we have a rare opportunity to double the impact of every gift we receive through Giving Tuesday! A generous donor will match every gift, dollar-for-dollar, up to $30,000. We need your support to hit this goal and continue protecting rainforests and our planet. 

Since our founding, we’ve supported securing over 42.7 million acres of Indigenous peoples’ land through titling and demarcation — an area comparable to the entire state of Florida.

Though impact can be measured in many ways, here are some highlights of the impact we made in protecting rainforests in 2023:

10.9 Million

Acres of land rights advanced through mapping of community boundaries and development of land management plans

19.5 Million

Acres of rainforests monitored through Indigenous-led monitoring programs

228

Indigenous and local communities directly supported throughout Central and South America

$9+ Million

of direct financing to Indigenous-led organizations and communities

Forests protected by Indigenous peoples play a vital role in capturing carbon, as much as or more than national parks. Protecting the rights of those safeguarding these forests is crucial to slowing climate change.

Forests protected by Indigenous peoples play a vital role in capturing carbon, as much as or more than national parks. Protecting the rights of those safeguarding these forests is crucial to slowing climate change.

“Rainforest Foundation US was there at the beginning, when the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC) began to build its governance. They continue alongside us as a key player and our fiscal sponsor.”

Juan Carlos Jintiach

A leader from the Shuar people in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Executive Secretary of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), and shortlisted for a 2023 Nobel Peace Prize

News Releases

The Falling Sky: Davi Kopenawa’s Warning Reaches the United States

Stories

The B’atz Project: Reflecting on Three Years of Impact in Mexico and Central America

Newsletters

Fall 2024 Newsletter

Stories

Protecting Biodiversity Starts with Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Land Rights: A Call to Action at COP16

Stories From the Ground

Receive stories like these directly in your inbox

Sign up for occasional updates, stories, and opportunities to get involved.

Join Our Community

Subscribe to our email list

Get news, updates, and stories from the rainforest—straight to your inbox.

Join Our Community on Social Media

Take Action