Rainforest Trust employs a highly focused conservation model centered on the strategic purchase and permanent protection of the world’s most threatened tropical forests through partnerships with local organizations in biodiversity hotspots. The organization’s funding structure relies entirely on charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners, with a remarkable efficiency model that directs 94 cents of every dollar directly to conservation action. This approach has been recognized by Charity Navigator with their highest ratings for financial health and accountability, demonstrating how targeted philanthropic investment can achieve maximum conservation impact per dollar spent.

The organization’s site selection process uses rigorous scientific criteria to identify areas with the highest concentrations of endangered species and most imminent threats from deforestation, ensuring that each protected acre delivers exceptional conservation value. By working through established local partners, Rainforest Trust ensures that protected areas respect indigenous rights, incorporate traditional knowledge, and build community support for long-term conservation. According to research from the World Wildlife Fund, this community-integrated approach significantly increases the sustainability and effectiveness of conservation outcomes compared to externally imposed protection measures.

Through its SAVES challenge, Rainforest Trust leverages matching funds to double the impact of donations, enabling the rapid protection of critical habitats before they are lost to deforestation or degradation. The organization provides complete transparency through detailed project reports, maps, and regular updates that allow donors to see exactly which species and ecosystems their contributions are protecting. This model has successfully safeguarded over 40 million acres of tropical forest across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, creating vital strongholds for biodiversity while storing massive amounts of carbon in standing forests.