ECO-Action
ECO-Action is a 1989-founded Atlanta-based nonprofit that helps vulnerable Georgia communities—especially low-income residents and people of color—organize against environmental health threats through community organizing, youth and adult environmental education programs, climate-and-health research, and a 40+ partner coalition network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ECO-Action does
ECO-Action (Environmental Community Action, Inc.) is a Georgia-based nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to assist vulnerable low-income communities and communities of color in organizing against environmental health threats. The organization provides community organizing, technical assistance, and environmental education across more than 140 community groups in 95 of Georgia's 159 counties, with core programs including the Atlanta Watershed Learning Network (AWLN) for both adult and youth cohorts, the Brunswick AWLN Youth Summer Program, the Metro-Atlanta Clean Air Initiative (MACAI) which deploys 7 air quality monitors, the Green Infrastructure Initiative in partnership with Atlanta University Center schools, and newer climate-and-health research centers CHART and REACH-ATL developed in partnership with Emory University. Its service model combines grassroots organizing, youth stipended training programs ($15/hour for youth interns, $700 for AWLN Adult Program completers), and coalition-building across a 40+ partner network spanning federal and state agencies, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.
ECO-Action is funded primarily through a mix of government grants (notably US EPA Region 4), foundation grants (Annie E. Casey, Kresge, Turner), individual donations, and fundraising events; the organization does not charge for most of its services. Its distribution relies on direct field delivery in Georgia communities, supplemented by digital channels including the eco-act.org website, monthly ECO-Action News newsletter, The Equity Lens podcast, and active social media presence. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Frank Bove (CDC senior epidemiologist) and has been led since October 2021 by Executive Director Carla Y. Lewis, who succeeded founder-era leader Dr. Yomi Noibi. ECO-Action has a documented track record of environmental justice policy outcomes dating to its earliest work halting a 3,000-acre hazardous waste incineration facility in Middle Georgia (1989-1993).
Technically, ECO-Action does not operate a commercial product or software platform. Its "core technology" is its community-organizing methodology, environmental health education curriculum, and the data-collection footprint of programs like MACAI's air quality monitoring network. The organization maintains a small core staff (1-10 employees) supplemented by academic and partner-organization personnel, and runs an in-person plus digital go-to-market focused on community engagement, donor cultivation, and funder relations rather than commercial sales.
ECO-Action firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ECO-Action
- Legal name
- Environmental Community Action, Inc.
- Website
- https://eco-act.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ECO-Action is a 1989-founded Atlanta-based nonprofit that helps vulnerable Georgia communities—especially low-income residents and people of color—organize against environmental health threats through community organizing, youth and adult environmental education programs, climate-and-health research, and a 40+ partner coalition network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ECO-Action industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Justice / Community Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)
Keywords
Where ECO-Action is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ECO-Action business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations: ECO-Action accepts online donations through their website, phone donations via text, Cash App, and Zelle, and mailed checks or money orders.
- Grants and Government Funding: The organization receives funding from government agencies including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and foundations such as the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kresge Foundation, and Turner Foundation.
- Youth Program Stipends: Youth program participants receive stipends for completing programs; AWLN Adult Program participants receive $700 upon completion.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | AWLN Adult Program participants receive $700 stipend |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | AWLN Youth Program compensation at $15/hr for interns |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Brunswick Youth Summer Program - Youth Interns $15/hr, Program Coordinators $25/hr |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
ECO-Action product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ECO-Action (Environmental Community Action, Inc.) is a Georgia-based nonprofit that provides community organizing and technical assistance to vulnerable, low-income communities and communities of color confronting environmental health threats. The organization delivers a portfolio of programs including watershed education (AWLN), climate and health research (CHART, REACH-ATL), air quality monitoring (MACAI), green infrastructure planning, youth development, and coalition-building across 95 of 159 Georgia counties.
Product overview
ECO-Action (Environmental Community Action, Inc.) is a non-profit organization that provides community organizing and technical assistance to Georgia communities facing environmental health threats. Rather than a commercial product company, ECO-Action offers a portfolio of community programs and services focused on environmental justice, including watershed education (AWLN), climate and health research (CHART, REACH-ATL), green infrastructure initiatives, air quality monitoring (MACAI), youth development programs, and community organizing services. Their core offerings are community capacity building, leadership development, and advocacy support rather than technology products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Atlanta Watershed Learning Network (AWLN) Adult Program Adult watershed education program for Georgia community members that provides training on local watersheds, environmental health, and community organizing. Adult participants who complete all sessions and homework receive a $700 stipend paid in two installments.
- Atlanta Watershed Learning Network (AWLN) Youth Program Six-week summer environmental education program for youth ages 15-19 that provides watershed and leadership training, with interns compensated at $15/hr and lunch provided daily.
- Brunswick AWLN Youth Summer Program Summer youth environmental program in Brunswick, Georgia with Youth Interns compensated at $15/hr and Program Coordinators at $25/hr; the 2023 program ran from June 12 to July 21.
- Climate & Health Actionable Research and Translation (CHART) Center Research and translation program, in partnership with Emory University, that studies and addresses climate-related disease burdens, heat exposure, and health disparities in under-resourced urban Atlanta communities.
- Resilience, Equity and Adaptation for Climate and Health (REACH-ATL) Community-oriented climate resilience program that builds resilience, equity, and adaptation for climate change and health impacts among vulnerable individuals and communities of color in Atlanta.
- Metro-Atlanta Clean Air Initiative (MACAI) Community air quality program that deploys 7 air quality monitors across five underserved Metro-Atlanta African-American communities and provides 8-10 training sessions to a minimum of 75 people.
- Green Infrastructure Initiative Green infrastructure planning and education program partnering with Atlanta University Center schools, Atlanta Housing Authority, Engineers without Borders, and Earth Economics to develop conceptual plans for green spaces in AUC and Castleberry Village communities.
- Georgia Grassroots Environmental Network (GGEN) Statewide coalition of community-based environmental groups in Georgia organized by ECO-Action to advocate for regulations requiring community notification on Consent Orders and other environmental protections.
- Moving from Surviving to Thriving in the Face of Climate Change EPA-funded climate resilience project that engages Intrenchment Creek and Proctor Creek Watershed residents in education and community resiliency planning.
- Community Organizing and Technical Assistance Core ECO-Action service providing community organizing and technical assistance to vulnerable, low-income communities and communities of color in Georgia, including Community Assistance Request intake and Community Rapid Response Kit resources.
Quantifiable outcome
- 140+ community-based organizations organized across 95 Georgia counties
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ECO-Action
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ECO-Action technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ECO-Action partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Emory University (Dept. of Environmental Studies, School of Public Health)coreAcademic partnership for climate and health research through the CHART Center and REACH-ATL programs; Emory faculty serve on core research teams alongside ECO-Action staff; joint research on heat exposure, climate-related disease burdens, and health disparities in under-resourced urban communities.
- United States EPA (Region 4)corePrimary government funder for multiple programs including Green Infrastructure at AUC (Urban Waters Program), Moving from Surviving to Thriving climate resilience project, and Metro-Atlanta Clean Air Initiative; provides regulatory oversight and technical support.
- West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA)coreLongstanding environmental justice partner working on Proctor Creek and watershed issues; joint advocacy for green infrastructure and environmental health in Atlanta's Westside communities.
- Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morris Brown College, ITCcoreGreen Infrastructure at Atlanta University Center (AUC) partnership with AUC schools and Atlanta Housing Authority; student involvement in conceptual planning for green spaces; service learning and coursework integration.
- Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)coreState environmental agency partner for regulatory compliance, community assistance referrals, and environmental protection initiatives across Georgia.
- Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ)coreNational partner for environmental health and justice; BE SAFE campaign collaboration; provides organizing and technical assistance resources.
- Atlanta Housing AuthoritycorePartner in Green Infrastructure at AUC Initiative; collaborative work on green spaces on housing authority properties.
- Metro Atlanta Urban Watershed Institute (MAUWI)corePartner in Proctor Creek stewardship and green infrastructure initiatives; joint conferences and community forums.
- Engineers without BordersminorTechnical partner collaborating to advance green infrastructure project implementation at AUC schools and Castleberry Village Communities.
- Earth EconomicsminorTechnical partner for monetizing the value of stormwater resources and green infrastructure services at AUC.
- HEALing Community CentercoreHealthcare partner for mobile clinic outreach providing health screenings (diabetes, hypertension, depression, asthma, mammograms) in underserved Atlanta communities.
- Chattahoochee RiverkeepercoreEnvironmental organization partner focused on watershed protection and water quality in the Chattahoochee River basin.
- Glynn Environmental CoalitioncoreEnvironmental justice partner in Brunswick, GA working on air and water quality issues related to industrial pollution.
- Sierra Club, Georgia ChapterminorState chapter partner for environmental advocacy and clean energy initiatives.
- Southern Alliance for Clean EnergyminorRegional partner for clean energy advocacy and climate action.
- Project South: Institution for the Elimination of Poverty and GenocidecoreSocial justice partner for economic and environmental equity initiatives.
- Fulton County Department of Health and WellnesscoreCounty health partner for community health initiatives and mobile clinic collaborations.
- Georgia State University (Georgia Health Policy Center, Center of Excellence on Health Disparities)coreAcademic partner for health disparities research and policy analysis.
- Conservation FundminorConservation organization partner for environmental protection initiatives.
- Georgia Water CoalitioncoreStatewide coalition partner for water protection and quality initiatives.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ECO-Action competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- WE ACT for Environmental Justice: National environmental justice organization that pioneered community-based organizing for low-income communities and communities of color; closely comparable in mission and EJ-community focus.
- Deep South Center for Environmental Justice: New Orleans-based EJ organization with research, training, and community organizing arms; comparable in Gulf/Southeast environmental justice focus and workforce development pipeline approach.
- Glynn Environmental Coalition: Brunswick, GA environmental justice partner working on industrial pollution and air/water quality — directly comparable in mission, geographic focus, and community-based approach.
- Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ): National environmental health nonprofit that collaborates with ECO-Action on the BE SAFE campaign; comparable in community-organizing approach and grassroots capacity-building focus.
- Chattahoochee Riverkeeper: Georgia-based watershed protection organization partnered with ECO-Action; comparable in water-quality advocacy and Georgia geographic focus, though more focused on river stewardship than environmental justice.
- Georgia Conservation Voters: Georgia-based environmental advocacy organization with overlapping board connections to ECO-Action; comparable in Georgia-focused environmental policy advocacy and coalition building.
- Georgia Water Coalition: Statewide coalition of which ECO-Action is a member; comparable in water protection advocacy and coalition-building across Georgia.
- Project South: Atlanta-based social justice partner of ECO-Action; comparable in economic and environmental equity organizing in the Southeast, with a similarly grassroots-led model.
- West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA): Long-standing ECO-Action partner focused on Proctor Creek and West Atlanta watershed environmental justice — directly comparable in mission, geography, and community-organizing model.
Broad incumbents
- Sierra Club (Georgia Chapter): Major national environmental organization with an active Georgia chapter that partners with ECO-Action; comparable in clean energy and conservation advocacy, but operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ECO-Action social profiles
Digital presenceECO-Action financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ECO-Action leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
ECO-Action funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ECO-Action M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ECO-Action
What does ECO-Action do?
ECO-Action (Environmental Community Action, Inc.) is a Georgia-based nonprofit that provides community organizing and technical assistance to vulnerable, low-income communities and communities of color confronting environmental health threats. The organization delivers a portfolio of programs including watershed education (AWLN), climate and health research (CHART, REACH-ATL), air quality monitoring (MACAI), green infrastructure planning, youth development, and coalition-building across 95 of 159 Georgia counties.
Is ECO-Action a public or private company?
ECO-Action is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ECO-Action founded?
ECO-Action was founded in 1989. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ECO-Action based?
ECO-Action is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does ECO-Action make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are grants and Government Funding and youth Program Stipends.
Who are ECO-Action's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Glynn Environmental Coalition, Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Georgia Conservation Voters, Georgia Water Coalition, Project South and West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA). Sierra Club (Georgia Chapter) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does ECO-Action have an API?
No public API is recorded for ECO-Action.
What industry is ECO-Action in?
ECO-Action's product category is Environmental Justice / Community Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAL, Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8300.