Innovative Partnerships for the Movement

As Development Director here at International Rivers, it’s my goal to continually create opportunities for our community to support us. Development, often a code word for fundraising, means so much more to me as a professional than just raising money. It means developing partnerships and relationships with donors, advocates and supporters – including relationships with socially conscious businesses and endeavors that can lead to financial support of International Rivers. All with the goal of not over-taxing anyone financially.

Our team is proud to showcase three partnerships we’ve developed with Artists Project Earth (APE), Nerdwallet and Sungevity. Each partnership is designed to increase the reach of International Rivers – sharing the message of our movement to audiences who haven't yet heard the call to protect our earth's precious resources – our rivers.

I’m certain that as you read on, you’ll see exactly why International Rivers has chosen to work with these partners – for funding, for their active community, and for stronger bonds with like-minded organizations that are doing great work in our rapidly changing world.

Artists Project Earth (APE)
Prior to my coming on board at International Rivers, we received a grant from APE – often referred to as a “Fairy God-Funder” in the climate change movement – that has enabled us to continue our critical work across the globe to address the threats to rivers and the rights of the communities that depend on them. APE’s granting program is entirely funded by album sales – like their most recent one, Rhythms Del Mundo: Africa. If you value our work addressing climate change and environmental justice, consider making a donation and pledging for a copy of APE’s new album. Unlike most donations, you’ll not only get some great music (including several of my favorite artists like Bruno Mars, R.E.M. and Mumford & Sons) – but also knowledge that your purchase is actively supporting well respected organizations like International Rivers. Check out the trailer and see if it's up your alley:

Nerdwallet
Our friends at NerdWallet – a consumer finance startup – recently featured us as their environmental NGO pick to share with their readers. Nerdwallet’s focus on partnerships has been with organizations like International Rivers that have a particular focus on transparency – as their goal is to bring transparency to crediting companies.
 
In short, Nerdwallet compares information from thousands of checking accounts, credit cards and interest rates from the largest multinational banks to the smallest neighborhood credit unions and compiles articles on finance and investing in order to provide you, the consumer, the best resource on credit card offers, rewards programs, and rebuilding bad credit.

Sungevity
As part of our summer’s “featured” partnership, I’ve shared over email a bit about Sungevity’s non-profit partnership program. If you go solar with Sungevity, they'll give you $750 in cash rewards and, for every new solar partner, Sungevity donates $750 to International Rivers. It's a win-win for you as an energy consumer and for us as an orgnaization. If you've considered installing your own solar power in the past, I hope you’ll take the next step and help International Rivers secure funding for our future.

Development and partnership building is part of movement building – a process I’m proud to be a part of at International Rivers. Being a member of this great movement means many things to me – from taking online actions to being a contributing member.

As a fellow advocate and supporter, I appreciate each and every action you take – from signing petitions and attending demonstrations to voting and going solar. Each and every action adds to the strength and vitality of our movement.