Where the money comes from

Greenpeace relies entirely on private individuals for its financial lifeblood. Though each of the organisation's 30 national offices has a large degree of autonomy in its decision-making and its fund-raising methods, all are expected to apply the same principle - "no companies, no governments". By insisting on individual donations, Greenpeace hopes to remain beyond the influence of political parties or commercial organisations. This is intended to render it free to campaign on any issue without outside interference.

Greenpeace International draws in huge sums from its three million supporters. In 1994, its total income was more than pounds 82m, all of which was used to pay for its campaigns, to maintain its fleet of ships, inflatables and aircraft, and to pay its staff and office expenses. Each national office has its own preferred methods of fund-raising, Greenpeace UK relying mainly on subscription and direct-mail donations from its 400,000 supporters. It raised most of the pounds 9m it made last year in this way, supplementing it with door-to-door collections, advertising campaigns, the sale of merchandise and sponsored events such as its recent "Walk For The Whales". Some pounds 2m of this went to Greenpeace International, which co-ordinates the activities of the 30 national groups. The other pounds 7m was spent on national campaigns such as Brent Spar.

Worldwide the pattern is much the same, with membership and regular donations forming the bulk of the organisation's income. National groups are also keen to encourage supporters to leave legacies to Greenpeace in their wills, a relatively new idea which has reaped them significant benefits. Greenpeace Australia recently ran a successful advertising campaign on this issue, with a slogan that has now been adopted by Greenpeace UK: "If you come back as a whale, you'll be glad you put Greenpeace in your will."