Rainforest Trust
Rainforest Trust consistently directs funds to programs with zero reported officer compensation and strong asset growth.
EIN: 133500609 · Warrenton, VA · NTEE: Q300 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Rainforest Trust Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Rainforest Trust directs 88% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Rainforest Trust
Rainforest Trust (EIN: 133500609) is a nonprofit organization based in Warrenton, VA, classified under NTEE code Q300. The organization reported total revenue of $20.7M and total assets of $122.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Rainforest Trust's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Rainforest Trust is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 37 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 25.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $45.5M |
| Total Expenses | $34.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$11.3M |
| Total Assets | $121.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $298K |
| Net Assets | $121.6M |
| Operating Margin | 24.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 42.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Rainforest Trust reported a surplus of $11.3M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 42.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Rainforest Trust's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +10.7% | +7.7% | +11.3% |
| 2022 | -41.8% | +7.2% | +7.5% |
| 2021 | +156.2% | -3.0% | +67.9% |
| 2020 | +15.2% | +48.5% | -4.5% |
| 2019 | -51.2% | +41.5% | +6.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1989 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Rainforest Trust with a Mission Score of 95 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 7%
- programs: 88%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Rainforest Trust allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 88%, fundraising: 5%. With 88% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $11.3M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Rainforest Trust consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no portion of its expenses is allocated to executive salaries, which is highly unusual and suggests a strong commitment to directing all funds to its mission.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Rainforest Trust:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings.
- Strong and consistent growth in assets, reaching over $121 million in 2023.
- High percentage of expenses allocated to program services.
- Significant revenue growth over the past decade, demonstrating strong donor support.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating sound financial management.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rainforest Trust
Is Rainforest Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rainforest Trust (EIN: 133500609) appears legitimate. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Rainforest Trust spend its money?
Rainforest Trust directs 88% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Rainforest Trust tax-deductible?
Rainforest Trust is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133500609). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Rainforest Trust a good charity?
Based on its IRS 990 data, Rainforest Trust appears to be a very good charity. It consistently allocates a high percentage of its expenses to program services, reports zero officer compensation, and has a strong and growing asset base.
How has Rainforest Trust's revenue changed over time?
Rainforest Trust has experienced significant revenue fluctuations and overall growth, from $5,815,590 in 2014 to $45,453,506 in 2023, with a peak of $70,481,732 in 2021.
What is Rainforest Trust's financial stability like?
Rainforest Trust demonstrates strong financial stability, with assets growing from $3,028,884 in 2014 to $121,913,145 in 2023, and consistently low liabilities relative to its assets.
Does Rainforest Trust pay its officers?
According to all available IRS 990 filings, Rainforest Trust reports 0% officer compensation, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Rainforest Trust showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Rainforest Trust's revenue has grown by 1412%, moving from $3.0M to $45.5M. Total assets increased by 13188.2% over the same period, from $917K to $121.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 1131.7%, from $2.8M to $34.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Rainforest Trust reported a surplus of $11.3M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $298K in liabilities against $121.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.2%), resulting in net assets of $121.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $45.5M | $34.2M | $121.9M | $298K | — | — |
| 2022 | $41.0M | $31.7M | $109.6M | $396K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $70.5M | $29.6M | $101.9M | $549K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $27.5M | $30.5M | $60.7M | $311K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $23.9M | $20.5M | $63.5M | $575K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $49.0M | $14.5M | $59.6M | $165K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $21.2M | $13.2M | $25.1M | $30K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $15.7M | $16.2M | $16.9M | $9.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $12.9M | $8.1M | $7.8M | $79K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $5.8M | $4.7M | $3.0M | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $4.6M | $4.3M | $1.9M | $44K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.0M | $1.4M | $1.6M | $22K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $3.0M | $2.8M | $917K | $8K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $45.5M, expenses of $34.2M, and assets of $121.9M (revenue +10.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $41.0M, expenses of $31.7M, and assets of $109.6M (revenue -41.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $70.5M, expenses of $29.6M, and assets of $101.9M (revenue +156.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $27.5M, expenses of $30.5M, and assets of $60.7M (revenue +15.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $23.9M, expenses of $20.5M, and assets of $63.5M (revenue -51.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $49.0M, expenses of $14.5M, and assets of $59.6M (revenue +130.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $21.2M, expenses of $13.2M, and assets of $25.1M (revenue +35.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $15.7M, expenses of $16.2M, and assets of $16.9M (revenue +22.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $12.9M, expenses of $8.1M, and assets of $7.8M (revenue +121.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +26.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue +131.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -33.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $917K.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Rainforest Trust is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.