Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
RAINFOREST ALLIANCE INC
Employer identification number
13-3377893
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
A family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
19,855,976
21,490,519
23,991,780
24,000,774
25,798,799
115,137,848
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
0
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
0
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3
19,855,976
21,490,519
23,991,780
24,000,774
25,798,799
115,137,848
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
4,990,933
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
110,146,915
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
19,855,976
21,490,519
23,991,780
24,000,774
25,798,799
115,137,848
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
71,907
39,253
15,744
50,478
38,996
216,378
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
0
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
428,395
345,387
253,522
195,461
317,400
1,540,165
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
116,894,391
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
81,705,518
13
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here........................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public support percentage for 2012 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
94.228 %
15
Public support percentage for 2011 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
95.410 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2012.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
.....................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
................................................
18
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
.....................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
..
13
Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..
14
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public support percentage for 2012 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2011 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2012 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2011 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2012.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....
20
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Complete this part to provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
RAINFOREST ALLIANCE INC
Employer identification number
13-3377893
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
Conflict of Interest Policy
Page 6, Section B, Item 12c., Conflict of interest policy
A copy of our conflict of interest policy, along with a conflict of interest disclosure statement, is furnished to each director, officer and staff member of the Rainforest Alliance upon undertaking the duties of such office, and annually thereafter for the term of such person's service to the organization. Any disclosures are reviewed by an internal committee made up of the President, Vice President of Finance and Administration/CFO and the General Counsel, and are reported on a quarterly basis to the Audit and Risk Committee. The Audit and Risk Committee has among its responsibilities the duty of reviewing the organization's performance in maintaining full independence. In addition, a detailed Form 990 Disclosure Statement is distributed annually to members of the committee that awards Kleinhans fellowships and the rainforest alliance's directors, officers and key employees. It requests disclosures that are required to be reported on Form 990 about any transactions between the organization and those who serve it in various volunteer and paid capacities, and about any transactions among those persons. and key employees.
Organization's Documents
990, Page 6, Part VI, Section C, Line 19, Public Availability of Documents
The Organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available to the public upon written request to management. In addition, the Organization's audited financial statements, conflict of interest and whistleblower policies, and summaries of all of its policies and procedures to ensure independence, are available on its Website.
Compensation Policy
990, Page 6, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a & 15b, Compensation Policy
THE ORGANIZATION HAS DEVELOPED SALARY ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES (THE "GUIDELINES") THAT APPLY IN SETTING THE COMPENSATION OF ALL OF ITS EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING ITS PRESIDENT, OFFICERS, AND KEY EMPLOYEES. UNDER THE GUIDELINES, THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL SALARY REVIEW FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATES IN SEVERAL SALARY SURVEYS WITH SIMILARLY SIZED, INTERNATIONAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THAT ITS SALARIES ARE WITHIN THE RANGE OF THOSE OF COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. GENERALLY, THE MIDPOINT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S SALARY RANGES FALLS WITHIN THE SALARY RANGE AVERAGES OF COMPARABLE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. PERFORMANCE REVIEWS ARE THEN USED TO ESTABLISH AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE'S COMPENSATION WITHIN THE RANGE SET BY COMPARABILITY DATA. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES MODIFICATION OF COMPENSATION THAT EXTENDS TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL EMPLOYEES. THE GUIDELINES ALSO REQUIRE THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND APPROVE SEPARATELY THE COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT AND Vice President of Finance and Administration/CFO, UNLESS SUCH INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE A MODIFICATION OF COMPENSATION THAT EXTENDS TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL EMPLOYEES. THE TREASURER OF THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION, AND IS THEREFORE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY REVIEW. IN 2011, WE ENGAGED THE MERCER GROUP, EXPERTS IN COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS ANALYSIS, TO CONDUCT A GLOBAL REVIEW OF OUR PAY PRACTICES AND TO DEVELOP COMPETITIVE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL SALARY RANGES FOR POSTIONS WITHIN OUR AFFILIATES AND BRANCHES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. WE USED MERCER CONSULTING'S DATA ANALYSES TO IDENTIFY WHERE PAY ADJUSTMENTS MIGHT BE WARRANTED TO ENSURE THE APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF GLOBAL MARKET COMPETITIVENESS. USING THESE RESULTS, WE DETERMINED SPECIFIC ACTION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. THE PROJECT RESULTED IN MARKET-RELATED ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SALARIES OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS, VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE and ADMINISTRATION/CFO, AND GENERAL COUNSEL.
Form 990 Review Process
990, Page 6, Section B, Line 11b, Review and approval of Form 990
The Vice President of Finance and Administration/CFO initially reviews the organization's draft Form 990. The Office of General Counsel, including the General Counsel in her capacity as attorney and as Secretary of the organization, reviews the draft 990 with respect to any questions involving legal matters. The draft Form 990 is distributed to each of the organization's officers and directors in advance of the filing. Each officer and director is asked to review the draft Form 990, and raise any questions or comments. The Vice President of Finance and Aministration/CFO oversees any revisions before the final Form 990 is filed.
Foreign Payroll Taxes and Fringe Benefits
990, Page 10, Part IX, Line 9, Foreign payroll taxes and benefits
Given the fact that in certain countries in which Rainforest Alliance operates pension plan contributions are mandatory, we combine Pension Contributions, Payroll Taxes and Other Employee Benefits in line 9 - Other Employee Benefits.
Other Program Services Description and Highlights -Communication/education
990, Page 2, Part III, Line 4d (1 of 2)
Communications/Education The Rainforest Alliance's Communications/ Education Program works to promote the work of the Rainforest Alliance worldwide, and to develop and expand our distinctive and innovative learning materials and implement our environmental education curricula at elementary schools. Highlights in 2013 include: - The Rainforest Alliance engaged 1,200 teachers and 16,800 students in New York, New Jersey and Florida, and an addition 112 teachers and 2,200 students in Guatemala, Ghana and Mexico. - The Rainforest Alliance's Learning Site gathered 2.67 million page views in 2013, bringing our lifetime total to 17.3 million views. - Our Climate Educator Guide was adapted for use with communities in Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico, where we trained community leaders, teachers and students about the important role their community and local forests play in climate change. - In schools throughout the US, the Rainforest Alliance empowered students to protect their local environment through action projects such as river clean-ups, rain barrels and recycling initiatives. - Internationally, the Rainforest Alliance helped students and teachers build school vegetable gardens, lead forest fire prevention walks, and recognize the important role their communities play in protecting critical ecosystems.
Other Program Services Description and Highlights - Sustainable Tourism
990, Page 2, Part III, Line 4d (2 of 2)
Sustainable Tourism The Rainforest Alliance's Sustainable Tourism Program is working to help tourism entrepreneurs conserve their environments and contribute to local livelihoods. The Rainforest Alliance is leading a global effort to help define, standardize and scale up sustainable tourism. Partnering with industry associations, nonprofits, and government agencies, we promote higher environmental and social standards for the tourism industry and government tourism policy. We have been working with small and medium-sized businesses, as well as indigenous and community groups in Latin America, to educate them on the opportunities that exist to incorporate on-site conservation measures into their operations, thereby minimizing their impact on local wildlife and landscapes. Highlights in 2013 include: -During 2013, the Rainforest Alliance expanded its training and technical assistance work with community-based tourism operations in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. - The cross-divisional work among Tourism, Markets and Communications translated into better exposure for verified tourism operations actively involved in our program. - During 2013, 156 companies in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Argentina benefitted from our sustainable tourism expertise. This includes 9 new companies in Jamaica, where our tourism team began work.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
FORM 990, PART VI, QUESTION 1A
The Rainforest Alliance has an executive committee consisting of seven directors of the Board of Directors (the "Board"). Pursuant to the Bylaws, the Chairman of the Board serves as the Chairman of the executive committee. During the time between Board meetings, the executive committee can exercise all powers of the Board that may be delegated in connection with the management of the business affairs and property of Rainforest Alliance,except as restricted by law or the Certificate of Incorporation. The Executive Committee meets at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board and reports all actions to the Board.
Other program services description - Climate initiative
Form 990, Part III, Line 4D - Other program services
Climate Initiative - The Rainforest Alliance works to address climate change by auditing forest carbon projects that sequester carbon dioxide and reduce GHG emissions. As of June 2013, we have validated and/or verified 46 different carbon projects, spanning across 23 countries and encompassing 5.4 million acres (2.2 million hectares). This has resulted in validated carbon emissions reductions of 237,070,281 tco2e and verified emission reductions of 9,312,450 tCO2e-the annual equivalent of the emissions of 1.8 million cars. The Rainforest Alliance completed its first Climate Action Reserve (CAR) verification, which is also the first Improved Forest Management (IFM) project registered with CAR outside of California. - The validation of the Paiter Surui indigenous community-led REDD+ (reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) project in Brazil was the first of its kind to achieve both Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Gold level validation. - In Madagascar, the Makira REDD project was validated-a project that is expected to reduce over 38 million tons of GHGs over the course of its lifetime. - On December 5, 2012 the Rainforest Alliance was approved by Executive Order (H2-12-004) as an Accredited Offset Verification Body under the State of California Air Resources Board (ARB). The CA ARB Cap & Trade program, including compliance offsets, went into effect in January 2013 - As of June 30, 2013, 16 farms across Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil and Guatemala, constituting 600 farming operations, have been verified against the SAN Climate Module. This represents over 40,000 acres (16,500) hectares of climate-smart agriculture.
Other Program Services Description - Special Projects ICCA 2
Form 990, Part III, Line 4D - Other Program Services
ICAA 2 (part of "Special Projects") The Rainforest Alliance's ICAA 2 Project works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by supporting sustainable land management practices. The ICAA2 Project is cross-cutting, involving the sustainable forestry, agriculture and tourism programs of the Rainforest Alliance. The project seeks to support the three broader objectives of the ICAA 2 program including: a) reduce rates of deforestation and biodiversity loss; b) enhance effective performance in key aspects of natural resource governance; and c) increased livelihood quality and sustainability. The Rainforest Alliance works in two distinct landscapes: Sucumbos, Ecuador and Cusco/Madre de Dios, Peru.
New Initatives
Part III, Page 2, 2 - New Initiatives in current year
M-REDD The governments of Mexico and the United States -- through its Agency for International Development (USAID) -- signed a memorandum of understanding on January 19, 2012, to establish the Climate Change Cooperation Mechanism that is the framework for the Mexico REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) preparation program -- a five-year initiative aimed at setting solid climate change mitigation policies and strengthening those already in place. The Rainforest Alliance is a participant in the initiative. Follow the Frog In September 2011, we launched the first Rainforest Alliance Week, a social media campaign that educates consumers on environmental sustainability and encourages them to make environmentally responsible purchasing decisions by "following the frog".
New Program - Sustainable Finance
Form 990, Part III, Question 2
Sustainable Finance The Rainforest Alliance's Sustainable Finance program was established in order to support access to financing by small- and medium-scale farms and forestry enterprises working toward Rainforest Alliance certification, as well as those already certified. Producers typically need loans in order to make renovations or improvements required to meet the standard of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and help their businesses grow and become economically sustainable. The Rainforest Alliance helps these producers identify their financial needs by drafting borrower profiles and supporting them with technical assistance in business and financial management. We also work to educate financial institutions about the investment needs of sustainable producers.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.