NONPROFITS
THAT
HOLD BTC
Most nonprofits accepting Bitcoin immediately convert to fiat. Organizations explicitly holding Bitcoin as treasury reserves are rare but represent a strategic shift toward long-term value preservation.
While 1,500+ nonprofits accept cryptocurrency donations, only a handful explicitly hold Bitcoin as a long-term treasury asset. This directory identifies the vanguard of this movement.
DIRECTORY
CONFIRMED BITCOIN TREASURY HOLDERS
Organizations with publicly stated policies to hold Bitcoin rather than immediately convert to fiat
Rainforest Foundation US
Protecting rainforests and Indigenous peoples' rights in Central and South America
Explicit Bitcoin treasury strategy
- ▸Treasury Initiative: "Treasury for the Trees" launched January 30, 2025
- ▸Goal: Raise and hold 100 Bitcoin
- ▸Strategy: Primary goal is long-term holding; may strategically liquidate portions for urgent operational needs
- ▸History: One of the first nonprofits to accept cryptocurrency donations (2015)
RFUS explicitly frames Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset with appreciation potential, not just a donation method. This represents a fundamental shift in nonprofit financial strategy.
100% of reserves held in Bitcoin
- ▸Reserves: 100% of organizational savings held in Bitcoin (confirmed for 2024)
- ▸Operational Payments: 85%+ of payment volumes sent using Bitcoin or Lightning Network
- ▸Transaction Volume: Over 800 Bitcoin transactions in 2024
- ▸Payment Breakdown: 63% Lightning Network, 23% On-chain Bitcoin, 14% Fiat (decreasing quarterly)
- ▸Banking: Operated entire 2024 without a bank account
- ▸Transparency: Quarterly reports to community and donors
My First Bitcoin demonstrates operational proof that nonprofits can function almost entirely on Bitcoin rails. Their transparency and quarterly reporting set a standard for Bitcoin-only organizations.
STRONG EVIDENCE OF BITCOIN HOLDINGS
Organizations that distribute grants in Bitcoin and track allocations in satoshis
Human Rights Foundation
Supporting individuals and projects that make Bitcoin and related freedom technologies more powerful tools for human rights defenders
Distributes grants in Bitcoin
- ▸Fund History: Accepting Bitcoin donations since 2014
- ▸Total Distributed: $8.5+ million in BTC over 5 years
- ▸Recent Grants: 1.3 billion satoshis in latest round (January 2026)
- ▸Grant Recipients: Software developers, human rights defenders, educators, community builders, translators
- ▸Focus Areas: Privacy, security, decentralization, financial freedom in authoritarian regimes
HRF distributes grants in Bitcoin rather than converting to fiat, indicating they maintain Bitcoin reserves. Their focus on authoritarian regimes demonstrates Bitcoin's role in financial freedom.
OpenSats
Providing sustainable funding for free and open-source contributors working on freedom tech and Bitcoin projects
Tracks allocations in satoshis
- ▸Total Allocated: $32.6 million USD / ~34.6 billion satoshis
- ▸Grantees: 382 grantees in 40+ countries
- ▸Funding Sources: Receives grants from HRF's Bitcoin Development Fund and community donations
- ▸Transparency: Tracks allocations in both USD and satoshis
- ▸Structure: Nine-person board, separate operations budget
OpenSats tracks allocations in satoshis alongside USD, suggesting Bitcoin holdings. They fund Bitcoin Core developers and infrastructure projects critical to the network.
BITCOIN-ONLY NONPROFITS
Organizations with explicit Bitcoin-only policies
Bitcoin District Initiative
Building a grassroots Bitcoin circular economy in Washington, DC
Bitcoin-only nonprofit
- ▸Bitcoin-only nonprofit (explicitly rejects "crypto")
- ▸Focuses on self-custody, open access, digital scarcity, censorship resistance
- ▸Helps DC businesses accept and save in Bitcoin
- ▸Goal: 100 businesses accepting BTC by 2026
Represents local, grassroots Bitcoin adoption focused on circular economy building rather than speculation.
Brink
Strengthening Bitcoin protocol and network through fundamental research and development
Accepts Bitcoin donations
- ▸Accepts Bitcoin donations (Lightning and onchain)
- ▸Supports 7 independent Bitcoin Core developers
- ▸100% of donations go to developer grantees
- ▸Funded by Jack Dorsey's Start Small ($5 million), John Pfeffer, Wences Casares
- ▸Legal Status: 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 85-2919136)
Brink funds critical Bitcoin infrastructure development. Their acceptance of Bitcoin donations suggests alignment with Bitcoin treasury principles.
PLATFORM MODELS
Platforms that hold Bitcoin on behalf of multiple charities
100% Bitcoin reserve - holds indefinitely
- ▸Bitcoin Held: 30+ BTC (as of February 2026)
- ▸Total Raised: $2.5+ million
- ▸Donors: 20,000+
- ▸Charities Supported: 50+
- ▸Custody: Multi-sig institutional custody through OnRamp Bitcoin
- ▸Model: Donors contribute to central Bitcoin reserve; charities receive ongoing payouts
EverGive solves the operational complexity problem for traditional charities. Charities receive fiat payouts while donors gain Bitcoin exposure and long-term impact.
The Bitcoin Endowment
Platform connecting nonprofits with Bitcoin donors and providing treasury education
Facilitator and educator
- ▸Helps nonprofits accept Bitcoin donations
- ▸Educates on holding Bitcoin as long-duration treasury asset
- ▸Connects nonprofits with best practice custody solutions
- ▸Markets participating nonprofits to Bitcoin community
Provides infrastructure and education for nonprofits considering Bitcoin treasury strategies.
HOLDING POLICY UNKNOWN
Organizations accepting Bitcoin but holding policy not publicly stated
Accepts donations (policy unknown)
- ▸Legal Status: 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 33-3365966)
- ▸Accepts donations including through donor-advised funds
- ▸Bitcoin holding policy not explicitly stated
Leading voice in cryptocurrency policy advocacy.
First charity to accept Bitcoin
- ▸Distinction: First charity to accept Bitcoin
- ▸Holding policy not publicly detailed
Pioneered Bitcoin acceptance in the charity sector.
Accepts via The Giving Block
- ▸Bitcoin Acceptance: Via The Giving Block platform (BTC, ETH, and other cryptocurrencies)
- ▸Likely converts to fiat immediately
Major international charity accepting cryptocurrency donations.
KEY INSIGHTS
WHY MOST CONVERT
- ▸Volatility Risk: Boards expect stable values
- ▸Tax Complexity: Ongoing valuation requirements
- ▸Operational Constraints: Lack custody infrastructure
- ▸Regulatory Uncertainty: Unclear guidance for 501(c)(3)
- ▸Liquidity Needs: Immediate expenses require fiat
WHY SOME HOLD
- ▸Inflation Hedge: Fixed supply protects value
- ▸Appreciation Potential: Long-term growth exceeds traditional instruments
- ▸Financial Sovereignty: Reduces fundraising dependence
- ▸Mission Alignment: Practice what they advocate
- ▸Donor Alignment: BTC holders prefer holders
EMERGING TREASURY MODEL
- ▸Primary Holding: Long-term with strategic liquidity
- ▸Transparency: Quarterly/annual reports
- ▸Mission-Driven: Tied to organizational values
- ▸Operational Integration: Using BTC for payments
MARKET GAP
- ▸Education Opportunity: Most lack treasury knowledge
- ▸Infrastructure Gap: Custody tools underdeveloped
- ▸First-Mover Advantage: Strategic positioning
- ▸Donor Demand: Holders seek holder nonprofits
DONOR RECOMMENDATIONS
If you want your Bitcoin donation to be held rather than converted:
TIER 1: CONFIRMED HOLDERS
- ▸Rainforest Foundation US (100 BTC goal)
- ▸My First Bitcoin (100% reserves in BTC)
TIER 2: STRONG EVIDENCE
- ▸Human Rights Foundation (distributes in BTC)
- ▸OpenSats (tracks in satoshis)
TIER 3: BITCOIN-ONLY
- ▸Bitcoin District Initiative
- ▸Brink
PLATFORM OPTION
- ▸EverGive (30+ BTC for 50+ charities)
BEFORE DONATING
Contact organizations directly and ask:
- ▸Do you hold Bitcoin donations or convert to fiat?
- ▸What percentage of Bitcoin donations are held vs converted?
- ▸Do you have a public Bitcoin treasury policy?
- ▸How do you custody Bitcoin holdings?