Conservation International
Protecting nature at scale through science, partnerships, and Indigenous-led conservation
Our editorial assessment
Conservation International works at the largest scales of environmental protection — safeguarding forests, oceans, and other ecosystems that regulate the climate and sustain livelihoods. It leans on peer-reviewed science and partnerships with governments, companies, and Indigenous communities rather than owning land directly. Both major watchdogs rate it highly: a four-star Charity Navigator rating and CharityWatch "Top-Rated" status, the latter of which requires that at least 75% of spending reach programmes. For donors who want globally scaled, science-driven conservation, it is a well-governed choice.
The problem they're solving
Nature underpins the food, water, and climate stability that societies depend on, yet ecosystems are being lost at an accelerating rate. Conservation International targets the highest-leverage places — carbon-rich forests, critical watersheds, and productive oceans — to protect the natural systems that are hardest to replace.
About Conservation International
Conservation International uses science, policy, and partnerships to protect the ecosystems people depend on for food, water, and climate stability, working in dozens of countries often alongside Indigenous and local communities.
Where your dollar goes
How this score was produced
The GiveWise score is our own editorial assessment, produced with a weighted rubric covering program spending, transparency and governance, evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and leadership. It draws on publicly available reports from independent evaluators such as GiveWell, Charity Navigator, and CharityWatch, but it is not a rating issued or endorsed by any of those organisations. Read the full methodology →