What Groundwork Southcoast does

Groundwork Southcoast (GWSC) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental justice organization founded in 2017 and headquartered at 90 Hatch St, Suite 208 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The organization serves historically under-resourced communities in New Bedford and Fall River, MA, focusing on three programmatic pillars under its Triangle Organizational Model: Workforce Development, Community Engagement, and Climate & Environmental Resilience. Core programs include the Green Team youth employment program (ages 14-18), Green Corps young-adult program (ages 18-30), the Riverside Park Urban Farm and Community Garden (150 raised beds, 2,630+ lbs produce annually), Harmony Gardens, Adventure Walk QR-code trail, Sow & Grow seed kit distribution, a 20-monitor citywide air quality monitoring network feeding the NB Resilient dashboard, the Greening the Gateway Cities tree planting program, and the North End Resilience District initiative. The Ladder of Engagement framework provides a structured 13-step methodology for moving community members from observers to transformational leaders.

The organization employs 8 full-time staff and a rotating cohort of 7-15 youth and young-adult program participants, with youth wages ranging from $15-$25/hour across roles. Its technology footprint is operational rather than productized: QR-code-based interactive trails, solar-powered environmental sensors, thermal imaging for heat mitigation analysis, and standard SaaS tools (Zeffy for donations, Google Forms for registration, ClickTime for time tracking). Geographic operations span five sites across New Bedford and Fall River, including stewardship sites, community gardens, and resilience district locations, with municipal co-development partnerships as a core operating model.

GWSC operates a diversified nonprofit funding model with no equity capital structure. Revenue streams include individual donations (Zeffy platform), corporate sponsorships (Harvest Bash tiers from $500 Ally Investor to $15,000 Presenting Hero), foundation grants (Cedar Tree, Island, Merck, Episcopal City Mission, SouthCoast Community Foundation), government grants (EPA, MDAR, City of New Bedford), and 1% for the Planet partner revenue. Pricing for community services is intentionally free or subsidized: 160+ free garden plots for low-income residents, free tree planting, free Pick Your Own Produce days, and free Harvest Bash tickets upon request. The sole disclosed capital raise was $150,000 from SouthCoast Community Foundation in August 2022. The organization holds Candid Silver Transparency (2024) and 1% for the Planet Partner status, and is part of the Groundwork USA national network.

Name

Groundwork Southcoast

Legal name

Groundwork Southcoast

Website

https://groundworksouthcoast.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Groundwork Southcoast is a 501(c)(3) environmental justice nonprofit serving New Bedford and Fall River, MA, operating youth employment programs, community gardens, air quality monitoring, and resilience districts for historically under-resourced communities in south coast Massachusetts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Environmental Services

NAICS

Landscaping Services (561730), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

Keywords

• Environmental justice services
• Youth workforce development
• Urban community gardening
• Climate resilience programs
• Environmental stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

New Bedford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting environmental justice, youth development, and climate resilience work. Powered through Zeffy platform.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual Harvest Bash sponsorship with tiered levels from $15,000 Presenting Sponsor to $500 Ally Investor, plus community member attendance sponsorship at $75 each.
3. Foundation and Government Grants: Funding from foundations including Cedar Tree Foundation, Island Foundation, Merck Family Foundation, and government agencies including EPA, MDAR, and municipal sources.
4. 1% for the Planet Partnership: Environmental partner organization receiving 1% of sales from participating businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Groundwork Southcoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs paid youth and young-adult workforce development programs (Green Team for ages 14-18 and Green Corps for ages 18-30), community-based urban farming at Riverside Park and Harmony Gardens, environmental stewardship projects including tree planting and riverbank restoration, an air quality monitoring network of 20 solar-powered sensors feeding the NB Resilient dashboard, and community resilience programming in designated Resilience Districts in New Bedford and Fall River, MA. All services are delivered at no cost to individual community members and funded through donations, grants, and event sponsorships.

Product overview

Groundwork Southcoast (GWSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental justice organization that operates a portfolio of interconnected workforce development and community engagement programs rather than a traditional software product. The core programs include: (1) Green Team - a year-round employment program for youth ages 14-18 offering part-time paid positions with hands-on environmental stewardship, leadership development, and career readiness training across three sessions (School Year I, School Year II, and Summer); (2) Green Corps - a workforce development program for young adults ages 18-30 focused on high-quality stewardship outcomes including food production, urban trails maintenance, tree planting, and ecological restoration; (3) Community Stewards - a paid contractor opportunity for climate resilience monitoring. Community engagement offerings include: Adventure Walk (interactive QR code trail at Riverside Park), Sow & Grow (free seed kit and seed starting education program), and community gardening at Riverside Park Urban Farm (150 raised beds, 2,630+ lbs produce annually) and Harmony Gardens. GWSC also conducts environmental resilience programming including air quality monitoring with 20 sensors integrated into the NB Resilient dashboard, the Greening the Gateway Cities tree planting program, and Resilience District planning in the North End of New Bedford. The organization hosts an annual Harvest Bash fundraising event and conducts regular volunteer days, with all programs powered by donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Green Team Year-round employment program for youth ages 14-18 in New Bedford and Fall River, MA, offering part-time paid positions focused on hands-on environmental stewardship, leadership development, community engagement, and career readiness. Operates in three sessions: School Year I, School Year II, and Summer.
• Green Corps Year-round workforce development employment program for young adults ages 18-30 focused on high-quality stewardship outcomes including food access sites, urban trails, tree planting, and resilience/restoration projects in Fall River and New Bedford.
• Community Stewards Paid contractor opportunity for community members to participate in climate resilience monitoring and engagement activities in New Bedford neighborhoods.
• Adventure Walk Interactive QR code trail project at Riverside Park featuring 5 signs that spotlight activities, history of the Acushnet River, and information about Groundwork Southcoast, created by Green Team youth to engage the community around nature and safety.
• Sow & Grow Free seed kit and seed starting educational program led by Green Team, distributing kits to low-income community members to grow food at home, with the first 100 participants eligible to adopt a free raised bed at Riverside Park Community Garden.
• Riverside Park Urban Farm and Community Garden 150 raised bed community garden at Riverside Park providing free plots to low-income residents, producing 2,630+ lbs of produce annually, with Phase 1 completed and ongoing community engagement activities including weekly Pick Your Own Produce days.
• Harmony Gardens Community Garden Community garden location at 185 Weld St, New Bedford, entering its second official growing season with garden bed adoption opportunities for community members.
• North End Resilience District (NERD) Defined area with disproportionate climate and public health impacts where GWSC implements district-wide mitigation, outreach, and transformed Resilience Zones pairing food access, nature-based solutions, and community engagement activities.
• Air Quality Monitoring Program Network of 20 solar-powered air quality monitors installed throughout New Bedford in collaboration with the City of New Bedford, tracking air quality trends and enabling real-time data viewing via the NB Resilient dashboard.
• Greening the Gateway Cities Tree Planting Program Free tree planting program for New Bedford residents in partnership with the City of New Bedford and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, requiring 80% of trees on private property and 20% on city property, with trained crews planting trees in yards.
• Acushnet Ave Streetscape Maintenance Weekly maintenance along Acushnet Ave from Coggeshall St to Nash Rd including landscaping, trash removal, and care for 1 open lot, 3 pocket parks, and 3 parking lots to improve the commercial district.
• Harvest Bash Annual Fundraiser GWSC's premier annual fundraising event and community celebration featuring appetizers, music, raffle items, networking, and stories shared by Green Team members, with proceeds supporting youth employees' food access work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72% average skills increase across Green Team programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting and minor.

• Groundwork USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGWSC is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit and part of the Groundwork USA network of independent environmental organizations called Groundwork Trusts. Network provides national resources, youth exchange opportunities, and connections to other Groundwork organizations across the country.
• AESmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreen Guardian level sponsor ($10,000) of Harvest Bash 2024. Major corporate supporter of GWSC's environmental justice and food access work.
• OrstedmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSteward Investor sponsor ($5,000-$10,000) of Harvest Bash 2024. Supports GWSC's climate resilience and food access programs.
• Darn It! Industries, LLCsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWildflower Investor sponsor ($1,000) of Harvest Bash 2024.
• Lincoln InvestmentsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored community member attendance at Harvest Bash 2024.
• City of New BedfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing support for Riverside Park, air quality monitoring, tree planting programs, and resilience district development. GWSC collaborates with City Office of Environmental Stewardship, Mayor's Office, and Department of Parks Recreation and Beaches.
• Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental program partner supporting resilience and water quality initiatives.
• SRPEDD (Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional planning partner for resilience district development and economic development initiatives.
• National Park Service Rivers Trails Conservation Assistance ProgramsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner supporting trail development and conservation planning for urban trails.
• Near North End PartnershipsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting outreach and engagement in the North End Resilience District.
• Love the AvesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Acushnet Avenue corridor improvements and beautification.
• Sister Rose HousesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for garden management and produce harvest distribution to ensure fresh, locally grown produce reaches low-income families.
• Osprey Sea & Surf AdventureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventure tourism partner providing kayaking excursion for Green Team end-of-summer celebration.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GWSouthcoast
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@groundworksouthcoast
• Facebookfacebook.com/groundworksouthcoast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/groundwork-southcoast
• Instagraminstagram.com/groundworksouthcoast
• Pinterestpinterest.com/groundworksouthcoast

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Groundwork Southcoast