New York Sun Works

What New York Sun Works does

New York Sun Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 (co-founded by Manuela Zamora) that builds state-of-the-art Hydroponic Classrooms inside K-12 schools in New York City, and increasingly in New Jersey, to teach sustainability science and climate education through hands-on urban farming. Each classroom combines commercial-grade integrated hydroponic growing systems with a year-round, NGSS-aligned K-12 curriculum (the Discovering Sustainability Science series plus grade-specific Extension Units), comprehensive teacher training and mentoring, farming technical training, a Harvest Program for family/community engagement, and year-round maintenance support through a Grow Support Team of 12+ area managers. Complementary offerings include a first-of-its-kind NYC Urban Agriculture Workforce Development Program (Controlled Environment Agriculture certification for 11th-12th graders, launched 2022 with USDA support), lunchbox-sized STEM Hydroponic Kits sold at $25/kit to schools and individuals, an online Learning Center, an annual Youth Conference at the Javits Center, and ASPPDP-accredited professional development for educators.

The business model blends nonprofit and commercial revenue streams: the core Hydroponic Classroom is funded through school budgets, Capital Grants from elected officials, PTA/fundraising, and corporate partnerships (NY Sun Works is an approved DOE Vendor); supplemental revenue comes from donations and grants (including employer matching, Leadership Circle, wire transfers, and Donor Advised Funds), STEM Kit hardware sales at $25 per kit including shipping, and modest professional development fees of $125 per ASPDP course. Distribution is sales-led via direct school partnerships, information sessions, and district relationships across the five boroughs, supplemented by an e-commerce storefront for STEM Kits and ASPDP channels for teacher training.

By 2025-2026 the organization reports 370+ labs built, 350+ partner schools, 1,700+ teachers trained, 140,000+ K-12 students reached annually, and a 98% teacher satisfaction rate; it holds Candid Platinum Transparency (2023), Charity Navigator, 1% for the Planet, and Great Nonprofits recognition, and maintains alliances with USDA, NYPA, NYC DOE (ASPDP), the NYC Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture, Javits Center, and Gotham Greens.

Name

New York Sun Works

Legal name

New York Sun Works, Inc.

Website

https://nysunworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 STEM and Sustainability Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Curriculum, Lesson Planning & Instructional Content Platforms (EDAJAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning Management Systems (LMS) & Digital Classrooms (EDAJAMAA), STEM Teacher Tools, Curriculum & Lesson Planning Platforms (EDAFANAK), Hydroponic & Aeroponic Growing Systems (NFT, DWC, Ebb/Flow, Misting) (AFAAAHAD)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• Hydroponic classroom systems
• Sustainability curriculum
• Urban agriculture education
• K-12 science labs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: NY Sun Works operates as a non-profit organization primarily funded through donations, corporate partnerships, and institutional grants. The organization accepts employer matching gifts, Leadership Circle donations, wire transfers, and Donor Advised Fund contributions.
2. STEM Kit Sales: Sale of STEM Hydroponic Kits to schools and individuals at $25 per kit, including shipping. Available in multiples of 35 for classroom use.
3. Professional Development Services: ASPDP course fees of $125 for educators seeking continuing education credits. NY Sun Works provides the course and materials at no cost; only the ASPDP credit fee is charged.
4. Hydroponic Classroom Partnership Fees: Schools fund Hydroponic Classroom implementation through various sources including Capital Grants from elected officials, school budgets, small grants, PTA/fundraising, or corporate partnerships. NY Sun Works serves as a DOE Vendor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

New York Sun Works builds turnkey Hydroponic Classrooms in K-12 schools, combining commercial-grade indoor hydroponic growing systems with a year-round standards-aligned Discovering Sustainability Science curriculum, comprehensive teacher training, year-round maintenance support, and a Harvest Program that supplies fresh produce to students and families. The organization also sells portable STEM Hydroponic Kits, delivers an ASPDP-accredited professional development course for educators, and operates an Urban Agriculture Workforce Development Program offering Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) certification for high school students.

Product overview

NY Sun Works offers a comprehensive suite of educational products and programs centered on hydroponic farming in K-12 schools. The core offering is the Hydroponic Classroom—a complete turnkey solution combining integrated hydroponic growing systems with year-round standards-aligned K-12 curriculum, teacher training, and ongoing maintenance support. This core product is augmented by the STEM Hydroponic Kits (portable learning systems for individual students), the Urban Agriculture Workforce Development Program (a CEA certification for high school students), and the Learning Center online platform hosting curriculum and teacher resources. Additional programs include the annual Youth Conference for student presentations, the Harvest Program for family engagement, and ASPDP professional development courses for educators. Together, these offerings provide a complete ecosystem for sustainability science education from elementary through high school.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hydroponic Classrooms Flagship turnkey offering that transforms existing K-12 school classrooms into hydroponic growing facilities. Each classroom includes integrated hydroponic growing systems, a year-long K-12 science curriculum aligned to Next Generation Science Standards, comprehensive teacher training and mentoring, farming technical training, a Harvest Program for community engagement, and year-round maintenance support.
• STEM Hydroponic Kits Lunchbox-sized passive hydroponic kits that enable individual students to build and learn from a hydroponic system using the kit contents and an upcycled plastic bottle. Each kit includes 5 seed varieties, growing medium, nutrients, an instruction manual, and supplies for scientific experiments, supported by grade band-specific curriculum of 10-13 lesson plans. Sold at $25 per kit including shipping, available in multiples of 35 for classroom use.
• Urban Agriculture Workforce Development Program Certification program providing 11th and 12th grade high school students with a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) certification, the first of its kind in NYC. Available as a summer intensive or semester/year-long in-school elective, equipping students with technical skills, environmental science knowledge, and workforce readiness training for the green economy.
• Learning Center Online hub hosting the comprehensive K-12 Discovering Sustainability Science and Farming Foundations curriculum, training videos, FAQs, field trip guides, farming FAQs, and other community resources. Includes an online Teacher Community forum where partner school teachers can collaborate, share learnings, and deepen their sustainability and climate science expertise.
• ASPDP Professional Development Course Credit-bearing professional development course titled 'Energy, Water, and Waste: Integrating Themes of Sustainability into Your Classroom' offered through the DOE After School Professional Development Program. The hybrid course provides PreK-8th grade teachers with 3 P/A+ Credits and 45 CTLE hours while exploring sustainability education topics. NY Sun Works provides the course and materials at no cost; participants pay a $125 ASPDP credit fee.
• Discovering Sustainability Science Curriculum Comprehensive K-12 science curriculum designed by in-house science educators for use in Hydroponic Classrooms. The year-round curriculum is tailored to each grade level, aligned to Next Generation Science Standards, and begins with the Farming Foundations series taking students through hydroponic farming from seed-to-harvest. Grade-specific Extension Units complement NYC DOE Science Scope and Sequence and K-8 Amplify Science Units.
• Harvest Program Community engagement program where students bring home nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables grown in their Hydroponic Classroom. Families receive Harvest Program Cards to learn about the science behind urban farming and are invited to share recipes and culinary traditions with the produce.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of teachers report satisfaction with the program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New York Power AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYPA has developed an in-depth multi-year relationship with NY Sun Works and has embraced the sustainable response to food justice through Hydroponic Classrooms programming. NYPA leaders regularly speak at Youth Conferences and support environmental justice initiatives.
• Gotham GreensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder Viraj Puri has spoken at Youth Conferences. Gotham Greens is a leading indoor farming company that shares NY Sun Works' mission of advancing urban agriculture.
• NYC Mayor's Office of Urban AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Director Qiana Mickie (first in this role) leads the city's urban agriculture efforts and has participated in Youth Conferences, supporting NY Sun Works' mission to advance climate education.
• Javits CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for annual Youth Conference. The Javits Center, led by CEO Alan Steel, has embraced sustainability initiatives including a rooftop farm and partners with NY Sun Works to showcase student work.
• NYC Department of Education (ASPDP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNY Sun Works is an approved ASPDP course provider, offering Energy, Water, and Waste course for DOE educators. The DOE approves and credits the professional development offerings.
• Guest Speakers and CollaboratorsminorOthersOrganizations that have participated in programs include: Solar One, +POOL, NYC H20, The Zero Waste Schools Initiative, Sustainable Forestry Initiative. These organizations contribute guest speakers and collaborative content.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Green Bronx Machine: NYC-based nonprofit that builds indoor gardens and sustainability curriculum in K-12 schools, directly comparable to NY Sun Works' Hydroponic Classroom model with similar urban school focus and workforce pathways.
• Big Green: National nonprofit building Learning Gardens in low-income K-12 schools with curriculum and teacher training — same school-garden-plus-curriculum model aimed at food and sustainability education.
• LifeLab: Nonprofit providing garden-based K-12 curriculum, professional development, and school garden programs; comparable as a peer providing standards-aligned sustainability curriculum and teacher training.
• Edible Schoolyard Project: Alice Waters-founded nonprofit integrating garden and kitchen classrooms into K-12 curriculum; overlaps directly with NY Sun Works on hands-on sustainability education for urban schools.
• GreenOurPlanet: Operates school gardens and hydroponic programs across U.S. schools, with curriculum and teacher training comparable to NY Sun Works' integrated offering.
• Teens for Food Justice: NYC-based nonprofit building hydroponic farms in Title I schools and training students in urban agriculture — directly comparable site model and student workforce development focus.

Broad incumbents

• Captain Planet Foundation: Long-standing environmental education funder and program operator supporting K-12 sustainability projects; broader scope but overlapping mission of funding school-based environmental education.
• Discovery Education: Large K-12 digital content platform increasingly offering sustainability and climate curriculum; competes for the same standards-aligned instructional content budget as NY Sun Works.

Emerging players

• Freight Farms: Sells container-based hydroponic farms that some schools deploy for STEM and CEA education; adjacent peer as a hydroponic hardware provider intersecting with the same curriculum use cases.

Regional players

• Cornell University CEA Program: Cornell offers the nation's leading MPS in Controlled Environment Agriculture, which trains talent feeding into NY Sun Works' CEA program and represents an upstream credentialing peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Newyorksunwork/videos
• Xx.com/nysunworks
• Facebookfacebook.com/112221498797765
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-york-sun-works

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New York Sun Works