Six months ago, I took on the job of leading this amazing and unbelievably committed organization—Rainforest Action Network.

Since then, not a day has gone by that I haven’t felt the weight of what my job means. We are on the front line of a fight that will determine what kind of world we live in, and what kind of world we leave behind. Every single day I am challenged. Excited. Honored.

Every day, my purpose is absolutely clear to me: to stand in solidarity with communities around the globe and do everything I can to protect the earth’s forests and climate.

I know I’m not the only one. I know you care very deeply about the same things. This is the time of year to make good on our commitments, and one way you can do this is by supporting Rainforest Action Network with a tax-deductible year-end contribution.

RAN is no ordinary organization–but you probably know that. We take on the biggest, most well-funded polluters and exploiters in the world–oil, coal, agribusiness and timber corporations–and we win. It sometimes takes years, but we persist, we fight, we organize, and we absolutely refuse to give up.

It took two years, but we finally forced eight major banks to acknowledge their role in destroying Appalachian communities and agree to severely limit funding of mountaintop removal. It took thousands of RAN activists speaking out, but this summer General Mills agreed to stop harming Indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems by sourcing only responsibly produced palm oil.

That’s what it takes to create change. It takes time, it takes courage, it takes passion–it takes RAN, and it takes you.

These victories are exactly what you support when you contribute to RAN. Unlike many organizations, we never take money from big business. We have no government money. This independence is what allows us to speak the truth no matter the consequences. It is the right thing to do, and it’s why RAN is here.

With victories though, comes increased opposition, and our opposition has deep, deep pockets. RAN’s annual budget is pocket change compared to the multi-national corporations who’d like to see us fail. That’s why your support matters so very much to RAN. We can’t keep this up without you.

So thank you in advance for your support. And thank you for being a part of Rainforest Action Network, for sharing our vision and our passion, and for fighting every single day for a just and thriving earth.

		In friendship,
		Rebecca Tarbotton Executive Director Rainforest Action Network Twitter: @BeckyTarbotton