Pacific Institute

What Pacific Institute does

Pacific Institute (legally Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization founded in 1987 and headquartered in Oakland, California, with 11–50 employees. It produces science-based research, policy analysis, and convening services focused on water resilience across four impact areas: Water Equity, Water Efficiency and Reuse, Nature-Based Solutions, and Corporate Water Stewardship. The Institute's core assets include the Water Conflict Chronology database (2,750+ documented water-related violence incidents spanning 4,500 years), the Nature-Based Solutions Benefits Explorer web tool (6,000+ users across 120+ countries), and a library of 432+ research reports and tools. It also leads the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate and co-founded the Alliance for Water Stewardship and the Water Resilience Coalition (40 companies, $5T+ market cap).

The organization serves governments, water utilities, Fortune 500 companies, NGOs, and frontline communities through project-based engagements such as the HACLA toilet-leak sensor pilot (saving 10+ million gallons/year), the City of Phoenix smart-toilet program with Target, and co-published reports with DigDeep and the Center for Water Security and Cooperation. Distribution is primarily free direct publication via pacinst.org, supported by a multi-channel approach including newsletters, podcasts, webinars, and a presence at UN Climate Conferences and World Economic Forum. Revenue derives from donations and grants (no commercial pricing); the Institute holds a four-star Charity Navigator rating and a 2026 Candid Seal of Transparency.

Strategically, the Institute is positioned for scale through three reinforcing channels: (i) the Water Resilience Coalition as a corporate collective-action platform, (ii) digital tools and IoT-enabled pilots that move the Institute from pure research toward implementation, and (iii) a policy-advisory posture codified in frameworks like the 19-criteria / 60+ strategy climate-resilient water law guidance. Leadership transitioned in 2016 (Jason Morrison to President) and 2022 (Dr. Peter Gleick to Senior Fellow), with Matt Kistler (ex-Walmart CSO) added as WRC CEO in August 2025, signaling operational professionalization.

Name

Pacific Institute

Legal name

Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security

Website

https://pacinst.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pacific Institute is a 35+ year-old Oakland-based nonprofit water think tank producing science-based research, policy analysis, and digital tools for governments, utilities, corporations, and frontline communities on water resilience, climate, and equity issues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Policy Research and Environmental Analysis

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Risk Management (BPADALAK), Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

Keywords

• Water policy research
• Environmental policy analysis
• Water conflict research
• Nature-based solutions
• Corporate water stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The Pacific Institute operates as a nonprofit organization funded by financial support from individuals, foundations, and partners. Their EIN is 94-3050434.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Pacific Institute is a nonprofit research organization that produces science-based research publications, policy analyses, and online tools focused on water resilience. Its core deliverables include issue briefs and reports across four impact areas (Water Equity, Water Efficiency and Reuse, Nature-Based Solutions, and Corporate Water Stewardship), the Water Conflict Chronology open-source database, and the Nature-Based Solutions Benefits Explorer web tool. The Institute also convenes cross-sector stakeholders and operates the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate and the Water Resilience Coalition.

Product overview

Pacific Institute is a non-profit research organization (not a software company) that produces science-based research publications, reports, and online tools focused on advancing water resilience solutions. The organization's product portfolio consists primarily of research reports and issue briefs across four impact areas: Water Equity, Water Efficiency and Reuse, Nature-Based Solutions, and Corporate Water Stewardship. Key offerings include the Water Conflict Chronology database (worldwater.org), the Nature-Based Solutions Benefits Explorer web tool, and numerous publications assessing water efficiency potential, climate impacts, and policy frameworks. The Institute also hosts the Water Resilience Coalition and manages the CEO Water Mandate initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CEO Water Mandate: An initiative of the United Nations Global Compact that unites global companies to act on water stewardship, led by Pacific Institute
• Water Resilience Coalition
• Water Conflict Chronology

Products and services

• Water Conflict Chronology
• Nature-Based Solutions Benefits Explorer
• Water Resilience Issue Brief
• Untapped Potential: Municipal and Industrial Water Efficiency Assessment (2025)
• Actionable Criteria for Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Laws
• Strategies for Resilient Rural Water and Sanitation
• Achieving Equitable, Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation for Frontline Communities
• Breathing Hazard: Air Pollution in the Salton Sea Region
• CEO Water Mandate (UN Global Compact Initiative)
• Water Resilience Coalition

Quantifiable outcome

• Municipal and industrial water use could be reduced by 25% to 60% through existing technologies and strategies (Untapped Potential 2025 report)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• United Nations Global CompactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pacific Institute serves as Head of the CEO Water Mandate, an initiative of the UN Global Compact, uniting global companies to act on water stewardship since 2008.
• Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Institute co-founded AWS, a global initiative that has developed and is implementing a freshwater certification program to advance responsible water practices by water providers and large-scale users.
• WaterAidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on water access and sanitation initiatives, including the Women + Water Collaborative in India.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on nature-based solutions and biodiversity benefit accounting guidance for water stewardship projects.
• World Resources Institute (WRI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on water and climate issues, including co-hosting events on water conflict and cooperation.
• Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on environmental policy and water management issues.
• NRDCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on environmental advocacy and water policy.
• WWF InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on water conservation and ecosystem protection.
• Sierra ClubmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on environmental conservation and water protection.
• WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on corporate sustainability and water stewardship initiatives.
• CDPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on corporate water disclosure and reporting.
• ISEAL AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on sustainability standards and best practices.
• Global Water Partnership (GWP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on integrated water resources management globally.
• Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on water and bird habitat conservation.
• GIZmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency partnership on international water projects.
• Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on international water development projects.
• German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on international water policy and development.
• Women + Water CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collective action initiative in India in partnership with WaterAid that aims to improve health, livelihoods, and climate resilience in water-stressed communities, strengthening women's leadership and participation.
• Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative pilot project deploying toilet leak sensors in eight affordable apartment buildings, deploying 1,200 sensors total with initial estimates of 15%+ water use reduction per site.
• Sensor IndustriescoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides innovative remote leak detection sensors for the HACLA affordable housing project, identifying toilet leaks in real time and sending alerts to property managers.
• Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner facilitating corporate funding for water efficiency pilot projects, including the HACLA initiative.
• California Water Action Collaborative (CWAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of corporations and nonprofits addressing water challenges in California, with over 30 organizations developing collective projects and innovative solutions.
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides rebates to co-fund water efficiency installations in affordable housing.
• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides rebates and support for water efficiency projects.
• Los Angeles Better Buildings Challenge (LABBC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the HACLA pilot project with guidance and recognition.
• TargetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in Phoenix smart toilet leak detection program at affordable housing community Fillmore Gardens.
• DigDeepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-published report identifying ways historically neglected communities most vulnerable to climate change can build resilient water and wastewater systems.
• Center for Water Security and CooperationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on comprehensive legal framework for climate-resilient water and sanitation laws in the U.S., providing 19 criteria and over 60 strategies.
• Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Pacific Institute and rural communities to co-identify and co-design strategies for climate-resilient water systems through the Water and Climate Equity Project.
• UCLA Luskin Center for InnovationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on water equity research and affordability studies.
• Corvias Infrastructure SolutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in workshop exploring how water efficiency can support household utility affordability.
• UNC Environmental Finance CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in research on water affordability and efficiency programs.
• LimnoTechmajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnical partner contributing to water efficiency assessments and biodiversity benefit accounting guidance.
• Second Nature Ecology + DesignmajorTechnology or IntegrationPartner on biodiversity benefit accounting guidance for water stewardship projects.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pacificinstitut
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwL7ew6GsB8H9v3T1UCLc8g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-institute
• Facebookfacebook.com/pacificinstitute

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Pacific Institute