The Growing Importance of Socially-Responsible Non-profits in Dealing With Today's Most Pressing Issues

The world of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) is undergoing a series of transformations that is nothing short of revolutionary. The number of groups and organizations is exploding and their agendas are dramatically expanding to deal with troubling issues that would otherwise overwhelm local authorities and even the most well-meaning governmental programs.

No longer are NGOs content to "wait their turn" addressing critical social, national, and global issues. They are now proactively asserting themselves in areas that once have been considered the exclusive sphere of government. This was the case in the Landmines Convention where NGOs led and governments followed.

With the advent of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, a new scope and authority was given in an unprecedented decision that established a set of goals with targets and timetables that world leaders publicly acknowledged. It was further decided that if the Millennium Development Goals were ever to be achieved then NGOs must become effective working partners with governments and the private sector in a common human enterprise.

The RainTrust Foundation sees itself as a new partner in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and, specifically, is driven by a strong sense of environmental urgency as mandated under this agenda for the 21st century. As such, we have assembled a highly experienced network of professionals with the unique skills necessary to fight global warming on the ground in the rainforest, in the halls of government, and in the global marketplace.

We are coupling our talents with a coherent and sustainable working model designed to launch large-scale conservation initiatives in partnership with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

With extensive areas of pristine tropical rainforests under Conservation Agreements and through the enlightened use of market forces, we will actively encourage the responsible stewardship of these vast forest areas, creating economically and ecologically viable solutions that alleviate poverty, help fight global warming, and aggressively protect the environment.

As the "heart, soul, and social-conscience" of this innovative and comprehensive rainforest conservation program, the RainTrust Foundation plans to be involved in the economically sustainable conservation of millions of acres of tropical rainforests and other critical biodiverse forest land, while creating a wide variety of sustainable livelihood options for the local inhabitants.

By increasing the value of standing forest beyond the value obtained from destructive practices, such as cattle-ranching, expansive soy bean monocultures, and clear-cut logging, the RainTrust Foundation's environmentally and socially-conscious, market-based approach will ensure long-term conservation by harnessing local support and participation. The Foundation will help forest inhabitants obtain maximum value for their conservation efforts and local ecological knowledge, while protecting and strengthening the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the region.

The RainTrust Foundation is dedicated to providing the proper balance between the pursuit of economic wealth and ecological health, thereby ensuring the effective functioning of natural systems and a lasting, sustainable future for the human enterprise.