We at Rainforest Action Network are committed to transparency and accountability, earning recognition from the most trusted charity evaluators. We know that it is important to fully trust where your support goes, and we strive to make this effort as transparent and easy-to-access as possible. This is why we are committed to sharing our financial statements, our annual report, and our nonprofit ratings.
While RAN is proud to have achieved the highest ratings across a number of charity transparency sites, we also recognize that these ratings are often measured by the ratios of administrative and fundraising costs to program costs, and don’t provide a full picture of an organizations’ effectiveness and impact. In fact, investments in these areas – such as paying staff a living wage, providing necessary technology, and supporting operational infrastructure – are vital for our ability to sustainably achieve and scale our missions.
Our Accreditations
Charity Navigator – 4 Star Rating
Charity Navigator is America’s largest independent charity evaluator. Ratings are updated every year based on several factors, including Financial Health, Leadership, and Culture. This rating is on a scale of 1 to 100, which translates into stars with four stars being the highest awarded rating.
Rainforest Action Network has achieved a 4-star rating with a score of 98%.
Candid – Platinum Seal of Transparency
Candid, formerly known as Guidestar, is an all-encompassing transparency evaluator that measures a nonprofit’s mission, financial health, impact, reputation, programs, transparency, and more. This rating is updated annually and is based on information provided by the nonprofit, and a seal is awarded from Bronze to Platinum based on Candid’s transparency criteria.
Rainforest Action Network has earned the highest Platinum Seal of Transparency for the year 2026.
CharityWatch – A Rating
CharityWatch is one of the most respected charity transparency evaluators. As the only independent charity watchdog in the United States, CharityWatch evaluates and rates in-depth over 600 major U.S. nonprofits. These ratings are done frequently and are given on a Grading scale.
Rainforest Action Network is considered a Top-Rated Charity by CharityWatch, with a grade rating of A.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance – All Standards Met
The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, also known as Give.org, rigorously evaluates charities through a series of 20 Standards, including Governance, Effectiveness, Finances, and Fundraising. These “Standards for Charity Accountability” are revisited every two years.
Rainforest Action Network has met all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Great Nonprofits – Top Rated Charity
Great Nonprofits allows organizations to display transparent and important information to supporters, and in turn supporters are allowed to review and rate a non-profit on a scale of 1-5 stars. To earn a Top-Rated Seal, an organization must earn 10 reviews with 3.5+ stars in a specific time period.
Rainforest Action Network displays our information on their website and has earned a Top-Rated Seal.
Our Annual Report
Nonprofit Ratings: Frequently Asked Questions
How is Rainforest Action Network rated among Charity Transparency Evaluators?
RAN has received the highest charity ratings available from charity review and watchdog sites such as Candid (formerly GuideStar), Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and more.
How much of Rainforest Action Network’s spending goes towards programs?
In Fiscal Year 2025, 80% of our expenses went to our program services, including the climate program and the forests program. You can find more in-depth information on our financial spending here or in our annual report. RAN strives to keep administrative costs as low as possible so we can direct more money to our programmatic work, and it is worth noting that, as a human rights organization, we are committed to providing a fair wage to our employees.
What helps make Rainforest Action Network an effective nonprofit?
Rainforest Action Network preserves forests, protects the climate and upholds human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline partnerships and strategic campaigns. This is only made possible thanks to the generous support from supporters like you.