RipRap Makes Philanthropy an Integral Part of Its Mission
Helping nonprofits become more resilient is baked into our founding— and our name. And giving back is an important part of RipRap’s philosophy, as well as our business model.
As a member of 1% for the Planet, we are dedicated to donating 1% of our revenue to environmental organizations. We are proud to join with other like-minded businesses and collectively make concerted change through our donations.
For transparency and accountability, here's a little bit about the charities we have recently supported.
Keeping a trail open by repairing a bridge through Rails to Trails of Central PA, Inc.
Using only volunteer time and funnelling 100% of donations into trail upkeep, this regional environmental group maintains and protects natural areas, offering free and accessible recreation, as well as an economic boost to local areas just off the path. By turning old railroad track beds into safe trails, bikers, hikers, and walkers from all walks of life can enjoy the outdoors and reap health benefits in their own back yard.
RipRap’s November 2025 donation to Rails to Trails of Central PA, Inc. of $1,365 had a direct impact on an immediate need for the organization. “This donation could not have come at a better time,” the organization shared with us.
Just a few months earlier, Rails to Trails was suddenly faced with a massive fundraising and construction project. A 220-foot bridge, which is at the midpoint of the trail and without a bypass, was found to be structurally unsound and unsafe for recreation. It was closed for the foreseeable future.
Along with private support from community individuals and organizations, RipRap’s donation helped to speed the repairs. The construction project began just a few weeks ago as support and fundraising exceeded expectations.
We chose to donate to Rails to Trails for a few reasons. As an organization focused on digital community safety, we feel aligned with a project that helps create physical community safety. Structurally sound trails are safer trails for those who use them, but also in terms of local crime. Outdoor spaces that are maintained well are more likely to become a source of local pride. We also feel connected to the location: it’s not far from Penn State, where our founders and many of our team members spent their formative years.
From an environmental perspective, which is important to RipRap, helping to repair this bridge utilizes existing infrastructure, supports water quality, and promotes conservation of the local environment and preservation of the bridge as a community asset.
And besides, just like a riprap, bridges also help to prevent erosion.
Dealing with the aftermath of the government shutdown with National Parks Conservation Association
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is a nonprofit that offers support and advocacy for the U.S. National Parks System. Support and advocacy are needed now more than ever for our wildest and most fragile ecosystems, historical places, and cultural treasures.
This year's DOGE cuts and government shutdown left the park system extremely vulnerable. Without enough rangers due to the 9,000-person furlough, visitors had little oversight and were able to easily vandalize, trespass, dump and litter in our delicate habitats and historic sites.
Parks were forced to remain open and without rangers there to keep the parks safe and maintained,
Visitors parked illegally at Great Falls and launched over barriers
Crowds jammed the beaches at Gateway exacerbating safety risks for swimming and recreating
Vandals irreparably damaged prehistoric petroglyphs at Big Bend
Slow growth Joshua trees older than 100 years were brutally chopped down
And the fragile landscapes at Death Valley suffered damage from illegal off-roading vehicles.
It’s not just parks, artifacts, and animals that are put at risk by visitors during a shutdown. People were left without open or clean bathrooms, drinking water, and available rescue crews in the event of an emergency.
While NPCA braced for the immediate impacts of what a government shutdown would mean for wildlife, land, historic artifacts, landscapes, rangers, and visitors, they also know that while headlines fade, the lasting effects would be felt for months.
And that's exactly where RipRap's donation of $2,525 went—to help triage the damage sustained. Parks are already underfunded and understaffed. The least we could do during the government shutdown was direct dollars towards the people who could help preserve our beloved parks – many of which our RipRap team members have visited.
Increasing Access to Public Trails with Trailkeepers of Oregon
Did you know that if you’ve ever been hiking in Oregon, the trail under your feet was most likely built more than 80 years ago?
And according to Trailkeepers of Oregon, almost all of them are currently maintained by volunteers.
The state’s trail system is a source of pride and recreation for Oregonians, and keeping them in tip top shape strengthens Oregon’s history and legacy, promotes outdoor equity, and increases access for us all.
In December, RipRap donated $1,500 to Trailkeepers of Oregon. This organization has responded to the increased trail use in recent years and lack of funding with trail maintenance projects and advocacy to restore funding to Oregon’s trail system, a source of pride and recreation for Oregonians.
