Frequently Asked Questions
GET INVOLVED WITH GREENPEACE
How can I get a job with Greenpeace?
All employment opportunities in Canada are posted on our website. Click here to see what’s available now.
How can I volunteer with Greenpeace in Canada?
Greenpeace has regular opportunities for volunteers across Canada. If you don’t live in one of the listed cities, you can still sign up for updates as we often take action in different parts of the country and may need your help. Click here to learn more about our volunteer program and opportunities to get involved with a Greenpeace Local Group.
How can I request a presentation about Greenpeace at my school?
We have resources, and in some areas people, available to help educate students about critical topics such as climate change and Canada’s role in it . Our presentations are interactive, thought provoking, and a great supplement to existing programs. And of course, they’re free of charge.
If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, you can request a visit from one of our dedicated group of volunteer Greenspeakers who will come to your school for a presentation. We can deliver an existing presentation or work with you to develop specific content for your program. To request a presentation in Toronto, or to join our group of Greenspeaker volunteers, click here.
ORGANIZATION
How and when was Greenpeace formed?
Greenpeace was formed in Vancouver in 1971, when a group of environmental and anti-war protesters took peaceful, direct action against U.S. nuclear weapons testing on Amchitka, a volcanic island in the Aleutian Islands, west of Alaska. They chartered a fishing vessel, renamed her Greenpeace and sailed off to the prohibited zone to bear witness. Learn more about our history.
How is Greenpeace organized?
Greenpeace is present in more than 55 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Greenpeace consists of Greenpeace International in Amsterdam, and Greenpeace national and regional offices.
Greenpeace International monitors the organizational development, oversees our fleet of ships, coordinates planning and implementation of our global campaigns and monitors compliance with core policies.
Greenpeace is one of the most well-known, effective, and ambitious environmental organizations in the world. Greenpeace has consultative status with the United Nations and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
How many offices does Greenpeace have?
Greenpeace has a presence in over 55 countries. Greenpeace Canada has offices in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
Where does Greenpeace get its funding?
To maintain our independence, Greenpeace does not accept money from corporations or governments. Greenpeace relies on donations from individual supporters, and on grants from foundations. Greenpeace does not accept donations that could compromise our independence, objectives or integrity.
For more information on how donations are raised and used, see our lastest Impact Report and audited financial statements.
Is Greenpeace a charity?
Greenpeace is an independent organization that does not take money from corporations or governments. In order to advocate effectively and maintain our freedom to act on environmental issues, Greenpeace Canada is registered as a non-profit rather than a charity, which means that donations are not eligible for income tax credits. We rely on individual donations from people just like you to do our work.
Is Greenpeace affiliated with any political party?
Greenpeace is a non-partisan organization and has no affiliation with any political party. Greenpeace does not solicit or accept funding from governments or political parties.
What is the Greenpeace Canada Education Fund?
The Greenpeace Canada Education Fund (GCEF) is a registered charity focused on environmental research, investigations and public education. GCEF empowers Canadians with information on climate change and biodiversity to influence public policy and offer solutions to address the climate crisis. Its work complements and supports that of Greenpeace Canada and other environmental partners.
For more information, visit the Greenpeace Education Fund website here.
FUNDRAISING
How many financial supporters does Greenpeace have?
There are more than 3 million Greenpeace financial supporters worldwide, close to 55,000 of whom have supported the Canadian office in the last 18 months. There are also millions of people around the world who take action with us every day as volunteers and non-financial supporters.
Why is monthly giving so important to Greenpeace?
Greenpeace isn’t afraid to speak up for what’s best for our planet and stand up to governments and big corporations when their policies or practices harm our environment. We’re committed to exposing threats to the environment in all forms, no matter how powerful the players involved, and seeking solutions through open and informed debate. We’re able to do this – and to be effective – because unlike other environmental organizations we’re 100% independent. We don’t accept donations from corporations or governments.
This is why Greenpeace monthly donors are so important. They give us the ability to effectively tackle power and make real change happen.
Why does Greenpeace use face-to-face canvassing?
Face-to-face fundraising is an important way for Greenpeace to communicate with the public about our campaigns and to recruit monthly donors to support our work in the long-term. Tens of thousands of current monthly donors give to Greenpeace Canada because of a conversation they’ve had with one of our canvassers on the street or at their door over the years.
Greenpeace currently works with Public Outreach – our face-to-face agency partner – to recruit monthly donors. Canvassers receive extensive training and regular briefings from Greenpeace campaigners and follow Imagine Canada’s ethical fundraising code and adhere to all relevant local health protocols.
If you’ve had an exceptional experience with a Greenpeace fundraising representative, or even one that wasn’t so great, we’d like to hear about it. Please call our Supporter Care team at +1(800) 320-7183 or by email at [email protected].
How can I tell if a face-to-face canvasser is legitimate?
You can identify our representatives on the street, at the mall, or going door-to-door, by their branded Greenpeace items (this typically includes a vest, photo ID badge, and lanyard). They will often also have a laminated brochure or a binder containing our logo and additional information. For security reasons, our canvassers are unable to accept cash donations. They will collect donation information on electronic tablets they carry.
- Canvassers work with digital tablets to securely process donor details and payment information on the spot. This allows them to reduce gift processing time, administrative costs, and eliminate the use of paper forms.
- All new donors should expect to receive a confirmation email and call within 24 hours of getting involved as a supporter of Greenpeace.
- All gift processing procedures are PCI compliant.
- If you have decided to get involved with a door-to-door, street, or mall fundraiser from Public Outreach, your donor and payment details will be requested and input securely on their digital tablet. Your fundraiser will then complete the sign-up process by requesting your signature on their tablet.
- Within 48 hours expect a welcome call from Public Outreach from one of the following numbers: (647) 417-6699, (778) 330-2883, or (514) 312-7015
Why is Greenpeace emailing, calling or mailing me?
It’s also vital that we continue to seek and grow that support to build a winning movement for the future of our planet. That means that if you’ve taken action with Greenpeace, by signing an online petition, donating or becoming a volunteer, you’ll likely hear from us by email, phone or mail. We’ll do our best to honour any preferences you may have in terms of the frequency and method of those communications.
Some supporters take multiple actions with Greenpeace, and as a result, duplicate records may be created, unintentionally leading to over-communication. We’re sorry if you feel this has happened to you, and we invite you to get in touch to help us correct errors and to ensure your communication preferences are recorded and respected.
To do so, please contact our Supporter Care Team by phone at +1(800)320-7183 or by email at [email protected].
If you have received a phone call from a Greenpeace representative recently, the number displayed should be one of the following:
647-258-0120
514-908-0039
672-887-4980
437-837-6836
438-238-1499
Again, Greenpeace supporters are at the heart of everything we do and we’ll make every effort to communicate with you in the ways you wish.
Read our privacy policy here.
CAMPAIGNS
What are Greenpeace’s main campaign areas?
- Transforming energy. Working with the public, lobbying governments and putting pressure on corporations to shift from oil and nuclear to renewable energy.
- Protecting Nature. We work to protect biodiversity in all its forms, from great global forests and oceans, to mighty rivers and lands. We aim to safeguard and restore the essential ecosystems for a healthy planet and all who call it home.
- Living Sustainably. Overproduction and overconsumption are unsustainable. We advocate for sustainable production and agriculture and the reduction the number of chemicals in today’s products and manufacturing processes.
How do Greenpeace campaigns work?
Greenpeace is the most effective environmental campaigning organization on the planet because we are people-powered, science-based and action-oriented. We’re well known for our peaceful direct action, whether it’s facing down massive oil tankers in kayaks, or unfurling a banner in an unexpected place when the world is watching to bring attention to a critical issue. But there’s a lot more that goes into a campaign.
We use a strategic framework called IDEAL. We use our ability to INVESTIGATE and DOCUMENT environmental threats to EXPOSE wrongdoings. We follow them up with ACTS that disrupt business as usual and inspire people to use their voices. This then gives us the power to LOBBY key decision-makers to make change.
Learn more about the ways we campaign:
What has Greenpeace accomplished?
Greenpeace has contributed to hundreds of positive environmental changes in Canada and around the world. You can view an interactive timeline here of Greenpeace’s history, victories and successes.
SHIPS
How many ships does Greenpeace have and what do they do?
Learn about our fleet of ships here.
How can I help out on one of Greenpeace’s ships?
To apply for a position as a crewmember on one of our ships, send a detailed cover letter and a CV to:
Greenpeace Marine Services
Ottho Heldringstraat 5
1066 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Or apply online here.
POLICIES
Greenpeace Canada Policy on Indigenous Rights
Greenpeace Canada Privacy Policy