irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $249KCampaign to STOP GE Trees - Over the past year, the Campaign to STOP GE Trees has made significant advances in the effort to prevent the large-scale and/or commercial release of genetically engineered trees into the environment. We are using the fiasco with the GE chestnut tree known as D54/58, revealed in late 2023, as a concrete example of what can go wrong with genetically tinkering with trees, and it will be a key part of our ongoing work to stop future iterations of GE trees. GJEP has been working with the American Chestnut Cooperators Foundation, to support their work to breed and distribute 100% wild American chestnuts. Members of the Campaign to STOP GE Trees have become active volunteers with ACCF and are helping plant their blight tolerant wild American chestnuts across the eastern forests. This summer these volunteers planted 200 wild American chestnut trees at the New England Botanical Garden in Massachusetts.In May and June of 2023, GJEP organized and led a major 3 week delegation to Brazil to investigate and document the impacts of existing industrial eucalyptus plantations on Quilombola and indigenous communities there, and to explore the likely impacts of GE tree plantations, legalized there but not yet in use.Our delegation to Brazil led to more opportunities to organize against GE trees in Latin America. On July 28th, GJEP joined other experts for a nationwide Colombian TV and Radio broadcast on the social and ecological impacts of GE trees. The event was hosted by Colombia's National Commission for Indigenous Territories.New Moon Mycology Summit, August 9-13: GJEP spoke at the New Moon Mycology Summit in Vermont and organized two workshops: Genetically Engineered Trees Modified to Resist Fungi - What it Means for Forests & Mycorrhizal Fungi and False Solutions to Climate Change - Who Benefits, Who Suffers, & How to Get Involved
- #2 $188KGlobal Justice Media Program - Breaking Green - GJEP created ten Breaking Green Podcasts (breakinggreen.org) that reached thousands of people with information about local, national and international human rights and environmental issues that are often ignored or censored. This year's programs were:1.East Palestine Derailment Disaster Continues to Unfold with Amanda Kiger from May 2023. 2.Green Deserts of Brazil with Anne Petermann from July 2023. 3.Muzzling Dissent with Basav Sen and Gabrielle Colchete from August 2023. 4.The Fight for GE Free New Zealand with Claire Bleakley from September 2023. 5.Radiological Weapons Development and Pruitt Igoe Residents with Ben Phillips and Dr. Lisa Martino-Taylor from October 2023. 6.Prepping Together for Climate Collapse with Dr. Tadzio Mueller from November 2023. 7.Carbon Credits Driving Theft of Indigenous Lands with Fiore Longo of Survival International from December 2023. 8.Suppression in East Palestine Ohio With Scott Smith and Lesley Pacey from January 2024. 9.Failure of the GE American Chestnut with Anne Petermann and Dr. Donald Davis from February 2024. 10.The Battle Against Eucalyptus in Galicia, Spain with Jom Evans Pim from March 2024
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Biofuelwatch
Monitors and challenges bioenergy policies and carbon offset schemes such as BECCS and CORSIA; produces critical reports on false climate solutions and participates in international climate policy review
Campaign to STOP GE Trees
International coalition effort to prevent the release of genetically engineered trees into forests; includes public education, media advocacy, and collaboration with Indigenous and environmental groups
Fiscal Sponsorship Program
Provides administrative and fundraising support to aligned grassroots organizations working on ecological justice, human rights, and forest protection
Global Justice Media Program
Produces Earth Minutes, Earth Watch interviews, and the Breaking Green podcast to amplify underreported environmental and human rights issues on Pacifica Radio and digital platforms
REDD-Monitor
Investigative project tracking the impacts and contradictions of REDD+ and carbon offset programs on Indigenous peoples and forest communities
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advocacy against genetically engineered treesLeads international campaigns to prevent the commercial release of genetically engineered (GE) trees, including organizing protests, mobilizing coalitions, intervening at UN forums, and challenging regulatory approvals. Achievements include contributing to ArborGen's decision not to go public and securing a UN Convention on Biological Diversity warning on GE tree risks.
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Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
- Fiscal sponsorship and capacity building for environmental justice organizationsProvides fiscal sponsorship to groups working on ecological justice, forest protection, and human rights, and organizes trainings, webinars, and strategy meetings—including bilingual events and multi-day conferences—to strengthen movement coordination and leadership.
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Human Rights Advocacy & Accountability 1 activity
- Global advocacy for Indigenous Peoples' rights and forest protectionAdvances Indigenous sovereignty and forest conservation through international campaigns, UN interventions, global petitions, and media outreach. Focus areas include opposing REDD+ projects with harmful logging practices, defending territories in Peru, Chile, and Brazil, and supporting land rights movements for over two decades.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Media production and storytelling for Indigenous Peoples' rights and forest defenseProduces documentaries, podcasts (including Breaking Green), photo essays, videos, and webinars to amplify underreported stories of Indigenous Peoples and forest-dependent communities. Content highlights resistance to industrial forestry, land re-occupations, and ecological threats, distributed through online platforms and media placements.
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Indigenous-Led Ecosystem Stewardship 1 activity
- On-the-ground forest defense and community support in Brazil and ChileConducts investigative delegations and documentation efforts in Brazil to assess impacts of eucalyptus and GE tree plantations on Quilombola and Indigenous communities; supports forest defense in Chile through field reporting, media coverage, and solidarity with Mapuche land struggles.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Research and analysis on false climate solutions and bioenergyConducts research on the impacts of biofuels, BECCS, carbon capture, and industrial plantations, publishing reports such as “Dead End Road” and “Carbon Capture or Captured Futures?” and contributing expert review to IPCC assessments on land use and climate mitigation pathways.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.49M
Contributions & grants$1.43M95%
Program service revenue$68K5%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.38M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$350K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$934K
Cash$184K
Investments$0
Liabilities$69K
Net assets$864K
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -22.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANNE PETERMANN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 0 | $71K |
board members · 6
- ALEJANDRA PARRA — Director
- ANN LIPSITT — Treasurer
- KAREN PICKETT — Director
- LINDSEY GILLIES — President
- NNIMMO BASSEY — Director
- ZAHRA MOLOO — Director
relationships · 52
Who they work with
- Abenaki Partner — Collaborated on land and forest protection campaigns in Vermont
- American Chestnut Cooperators Foundation Partner — Collaborates to support breeding and distribution of wild American chestnuts and organizing tree plantings.
- ArborGen Partner — Challenged the company's USDA approval of GE eucalyptus trees, impacting its public listing and executive leadership
- CONAIE Partner — Aligns with CONAIE leadership in advocating for the rights of nature and Indigenous Peoples in opposition to commodification of jaguars and forests.
- Canadian Biotechnology Action Network Coalition — Coalition partner in the Campaign to STOP GE Trees, coordinating cross-border advocacy and public engagement.
- Canadian Biotechnology Action Network Partner — Co-sponsored the online premiere of the short film on the return of the wild American chestnut.
- Canadian Biotechnology Action Network Partner — Fiscally sponsored by GJEP to support work on food sovereignty and democratic decision-making on science and technology.
- Center for Grassroots Organizing Partner — Fiscally sponsored by GJEP to support grassroots movement building, radical youth leadership development, and racial and climate justice organizing.
- Climate Land Ambition Rights Alliance (CLARA) Partner — Coordinates input into IPCC reviews focusing on bioenergy, BECCS, and forest protection issues.
- Colombia's National Commission for Indigenous Territories Partner — Co-hosted a nationwide TV and radio broadcast on the impacts of genetically engineered trees in Colombia.
- Convention on Biological Diversity Government — Engaged with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to advocate for the moratorium on genetically engineered trees.
- Cree Partner — Collaborated on land and forest protection campaigns in James Bay, Quebec
- Dogwood Alliance Coalition — Coalition partner in the Campaign to STOP GE Trees, participating in joint press conferences and advocacy efforts.
- Dogwood Alliance Partner — Co-sponsored the online premiere of the short film on the return of the wild American chestnut.
- Dr. David Suzuki Partner — Collaborated on the documentary “A Silent Forest” as narrator and scientific authority
- Ecology Ottawa Partner — Partner organization whose organizer participates in the New Voices Speakers Bureau
- Environmental Paper Network Partner — International network partner in efforts to resist large-scale wood bioenergy globally.
- FECONAFROPU Partner — Collaborates with Indigenous leaders from FECONAFROPU in denouncing carbon market projects affecting sacred animals and territories.
- Friends of the Earth Coalition — Coalition partner in the Campaign to STOP GE Trees, contributing to public education and media campaigns.
- Friends of the Earth US Partner — Co-sponsored the online premiere of the short film on the return of the wild American chestnut.
- GM Watch Partner — Co-sponsored the online premiere of the short film on the return of the wild American chestnut.
- Gainesville-Area Action for Environmental Justice Partner — Fiscally sponsored by GJEP to support work on environmental racism, climate justice, and community development in Gainesville, Florida.
- Heartwood Partner — Co-sponsored the online premiere of the short film on the return of the wild American chestnut.
- Honduras Now Partner — Fiscally sponsored by GJEP to support human rights advocacy in Honduras and education on North American policy impacts.
- Hoodwinked in the Hothouse Partner — Fiscally sponsored by GJEP to support publication and dissemination of analysis on climate false solutions and corporate greenwashing.
- Indigenous Environmental Network Coalition — Coalition partner in the Campaign to STOP GE Trees, with joint representation in public actions and media outreach.
- Indigenous Environmental Network Partner — Partner organization whose campaign coordinator participates in the New Voices Speakers Bureau
- Inuit Partner — Collaborated on land and forest protection campaigns in James Bay, Quebec
- Itinerant University of Resistance (UNIR) Partner — Fiscally sponsored by GJEP to support community organizing, reflection, and strategy-building among Haitian and Abya Yala social organizations for territorial defense.
- Linking Lands Alliance Partner — Fiscally sponsored by GJEP to support cross-jurisdictional grassroots collaboration on natural resource issues in Vermont.
+ 22 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Amplifying Frontline and Indigenous Voicesmethodology: amplifying_frontline_voicesBy positioning Indigenous Peoples and impacted communities as experts in media, policy, and public discourse, we increase the legitimacy and impact of their resistance to ecological destruction, because centering marginalized knowledge challenges dominant power structures and produces more just and effective environmental outcomes.
- Exposing False Solutions through Evidence-Based Campaignsmethodology: exposing_false_solutionsBy investigating and publicizing the failures of technological and market-based fixes—such as genetically engineered trees and carbon offsetting—we shift policy and public opinion toward genuine solutions, because documented contradictions undermine corporate greenwashing and strengthen frontline resistance.
- Indigenous-Led, Knowledge-Centered Resistancemethodology: indigenous_knowledge_centered_advocacyBy centering Indigenous knowledge and self-determination in conservation and advocacy, we generate more ecologically sound and culturally legitimate outcomes, because traditional knowledge offers proven, place-based alternatives to techno-industrial interventions like genetically engineered trees or carbon markets.
- Integrated Advocacy for Interconnected Justicemethodology: intersectional_alliancesBy treating environmental protection, labor rights, government transparency, and economic justice as fundamentally linked, we produce stronger systemic change, because addressing root causes across movements prevents siloed solutions and builds broader, more resilient coalitions.