Council of the Great Lakes Region

What Council of the Great Lakes Region does

The Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) is a binational nonprofit organization founded in 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio, that operates as a convening forum for the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence megaregion. It brings together government, business, academic, and civil society stakeholders across the United States and Canada to address economic, social, and environmental challenges, serving a region of roughly 110 million people, US$9 trillion in GDP, and 51 million jobs. CGLR is structured as four legal entities — CGLR USA, CGLR Foundation (Ohio-based trade association and public charity), CGLR Canada, and CGLR Canada Foundation (Canadian not-for-profit and charity) — enabling it to receive restricted-purpose funds and convene in both countries simultaneously, a structural capability few peer organizations possess. It tracks regional sustainability through 60 biophysical and socioeconomic indicators and applies a four-pillar methodology (Inform, Identify, Inspire, Impact) to convert dialogue into collaborative programs.

CGLR's portfolio centers on five core programs: Circular Great Lakes (launched 2021 with 40+ cross-sector partners advancing a circular economy for plastics), Great Lakes WISE (a peer-to-peer corporate water stewardship network formalized in 2024 with a reciprocal discount partnership with The Water Council), the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium (six founding universities including University of Toronto, University of Michigan, and University of Illinois System), ALUS Defiance (the first U.S. community to adopt the Canadian ALUS farmer-led conservation model, launched early 2025 in Ohio), and the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (co-managed with Pollution Probe since 2020). Notable operational outcomes include 135+ plastic capture devices deployed, 192,000+ pieces of plastic debris removed, 12.2 billion liters of water filtered, and 180,000+ people reached through education. The April 2026 WISE Water Stewardship Toolkit — comprising 19 informational brochures — is the most recent output, designed to help companies assess water-related risk and build business cases for stewardship.

Funding flows from charitable donations (to CGLR Foundation and CGLR Canada Foundation), recurring membership subscriptions (Circular Economy, Water Stewardship, Nature-Based Solutions, Events/Webinars, General), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, and restricted-purpose grants. Named major funders and partners include Meijer (cumulative ~$280,000 in support of Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup across 2024–2026), the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, Dart Container Corporation, Diageo, A.O. Smith, Sloan, Watts Water Technologies, Veolia North America, and Charter Next Generation. CGLR holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating, GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, and continuous UN Global Compact Communication on Engagement (2020–2026), and is governed by a US-Canada Board of Directors chaired by Marie-Hélène Sicard. Specific membership and donation pricing are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Council of the Great Lakes Region

Legal name

Council of the Great Lakes Region

Website

https://councilgreatlakesregion.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Council of the Great Lakes Region is a binational US-Canada nonprofit that convenes government, business, academic, and civil society leaders to advance freshwater stewardship, circular economy, and regional sustainability across the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence megaregion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Sustainability Convening Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

akta.pro primary industry

Supplier Engagement & Value-Chain Decarbonization Programs (EUABAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Benchmarking, Ratings & Stakeholder Reporting Portals (Scorecards, Dashboards) (EUABAEAJ), Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC), Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF)

Keywords

• Regional sustainability collaboration
• Water stewardship programs
• Circular economy initiatives
• Cross-border nonprofit forum
• Watershed conservation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: CGLR operates as a network of charitable and non-charitable organizations. Charitable contributions to CGLR Foundation (US) and CGLR Canada Foundation support integration of environmental considerations into regional public policy decisions, business strategies, and investment choices.
2. Membership Fees: Organizations can become members to join the network and access programs focused on Circular Economy, Water Stewardship, Nature-Based Solutions, Events/Webinars, and General membership.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners and funders provide support including donations for specific initiatives like the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup and Water Stewardship programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CGLR is a binational nonprofit convening organization that advances sustainable development and shared prosperity across the Great Lakes megaregion by running programs in circular economy, corporate water stewardship, academic collaboration, and farmer-led conservation, supported by evidence-based research, advocacy, and cross-sector partnerships. Its deliverable offerings are programs and initiatives (Circular Great Lakes, Great Lakes WISE, Higher Education Consortium, ALUS Defiance, Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup) plus published toolkits and resources, delivered to governments, businesses, academic institutions, and NGOs.

Product overview

The Council of the Great Lakes Region operates as a network of charitable and non-charitable organizations (CGLR Canada, CGLR Canada Foundation, CGLR USA, and CGLR Foundation) offering a portfolio of sustainability-focused programs. The core offerings include Circular Great Lakes (circular economy for plastics), Great Lakes WISE (water stewardship), Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium (workforce and innovation), and ALUS Defiance (farmer-led conservation). These programs are complemented by initiatives like the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, Corporate Water Stewardship Toolkit, Boat Film Wrap Recovery Project, and Stormwater Filtration System Grant. The organization functions as a convening forum rather than a technology product company, focusing on regional collaboration, policy advocacy, and sustainability initiatives across the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence megaregion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Circular Great Lakes: A bi-national initiative dedicated to advancing a circular economy for plastics across the Great Lakes region, launched in 2021.
• Great Lakes WISE
• Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium (GLHEC)
• ALUS Defiance
• Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (GLPC)

Products and services

• Circular Great Lakes A bi-national initiative dedicated to advancing a circular economy for plastics across the Great Lakes region. It works to reduce plastic waste, protect the Great Lakes, and strengthen regional economies through cleanup, prevention, innovation, and policy efforts. Audience includes governments, businesses, and NGOs across the U.S. and Canada.
• Great Lakes WISE (Water Innovation and Stewardship Exchange) A collaborative, cross-sector program advancing responsible corporate water stewardship and innovation across the Great Lakes megaregion. Administered by CGLR and supported by The Water Council, it brings businesses, utilities, academic institutions, and NGOs together to protect freshwater resources.
• Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium (GLHEC) An initiative of CGLR convening academic institutions committed to strengthening the region's long-term competitiveness through education, workforce development, research, and innovation. Focuses on skills development, research and innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• ALUS Defiance A community-based program dedicated to advancing farmer-led, nature-based solutions in Defiance County, Ohio. Works directly with producers to create and maintain nature on working lands while improving soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
• Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (GLPC) Managed by CGLR and Pollution Probe, this initiative deploys innovative litter-capture technologies on beaches, marinas, and waterways to remove plastics. Collected plastics are analyzed and tracked to inform policy, research, and consumer awareness.
• Corporate Water Stewardship Toolkit Developed to influence and motivate companies, demonstrating best practice examples and the business case for corporate water stewardship. A practical, action-oriented resource to help companies understand water-related risks and adopt leading best practices.
• Boat Film Wrap Recovery Project Partners with marinas, recyclers, and manufacturers to collect and recycle boat shrink wrap, diverting it from landfill and reverting it back into usable material.
• Stormwater Filtration System Grant With funding from Dart Container Corporation, this grant program funds the purchase and installation of storm drain capture devices such as LittaTrap and Gutterbin to stop plastics from entering the Great Lakes through stormwater systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• 192,000+ pieces of plastic debris removed from Great Lakes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, founding and supporting.

• The Water CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Strategic partnership providing 10% off WAVE verification for Great Lakes WISE participants. CGLR reciprocates with 50% off first year WISE fees for organizations completing WAVE certification.
• Pollution ProbecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Co-manages the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup initiative with CGLR. Pollution Probe is a Canadian environmental organization that has been at the forefront of environmental issues since 1969.
• University of TorontofoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium (GLHEC), contributing to cross-border academic collaboration.
• University of Illinois SystemfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium, supporting skills development and research collaboration.
• University of MichiganfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium, contributing to regional innovation and workforce development.
• University of Wisconsin SystemfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium, supporting binational academic collaboration.
• Queen's UniversityfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium, contributing to higher education collaboration.
• McGill UniversityfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium, supporting research and innovation collaboration.
• Charter Next GenerationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Boat Shrink Wrap Recovery Pilot. North America's leading independent producer of specialty films testing recycled content in plastic film applications.
• LRS (Lakeshore Recycling Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth America's fifth largest privately-held waste and recycling company, providing MRF services for boat wrap consolidation and baling in the pilot program.
• Myplas USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPioneering circular economy for plastic film, operating state-of-the-art recycling plant in Rogers, Minnesota for processing boat wrap materials.
• ALUS CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to adopt the ALUS farmer-led conservation model in the US, with ALUS Defiance being the first U.S. community to implement the program.
• Illinois Department of Natural ResourcessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Boat Shrink Wrap Recovery through the Illinois Clean Marina Program, supporting Best Management Practices.
• Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal joint action agency providing coordination for boat wrap collection at Lake County marinas.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pollution Probe: A Canadian environmental organization founded in 1969 that co-manages the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup initiative with CGLR. Directly comparable in mission scope (clean water advocacy), binational presence, and Great Lakes focus, with similar nonprofit funding model.
• Environmental Law & Policy Center: Midwest-based environmental advocacy organization focused on Great Lakes protection and clean energy advocacy. Comparable in regional environmental mission, advocacy approach, and binational Great Lakes focus, though more litigation-driven than CGLR's convening model.
• Great Lakes Commission: A binational government agency representing the eight Great Lakes states with associate member status for Ontario and Quebec. Directly comparable to CGLR in mission (Great Lakes economic and environmental sustainability) and binational convening function, though it is government-affiliated rather than independent nonprofit.
• Pembina Institute: Canadian national nonprofit focused on clean energy and sustainability policy. Comparable as a sustainability-focused nonprofit with research, convening, and policy advocacy functions, with binational (Canadian/provincial) governance model similar to CGLR's US/Canada entity structure.
• The Water Council: Milwaukee-based water technology and economic development cluster. Directly comparable through its strategic partnership with CGLR's WISE program, with overlapping focus on corporate water stewardship and freshwater innovation in the Great Lakes region.
• Alliance to End Plastic Waste: A global nonprofit funding partner for CGLR's Circular Great Lakes initiative. Directly comparable as a nonprofit coalition addressing plastic waste, with broader geographic scope but overlapping convening and program execution model.

Broad incumbents

• Ducks Unlimited: Large established conservation organization that partners with CGLR's WISE program. Comparable as a major environmental nonprofit with similar donor-funded model, but significantly larger scale and broader geographic mandate than CGLR.
• Brookings Institution: Public policy research organization whose 2008 Vital Connection Report catalyzed CGLR's founding. Comparable in research-driven policy advocacy focus on Great Lakes regional economic development, though operating at much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• Sierra Club: Largest and oldest grassroots environmental organization in the US. Comparable as a major environmental advocacy nonprofit with donor-funded model and water/land conservation programs, though operating at vastly larger scale with national scope.
• Veolia North America: Major environmental services firm that partners with CGLR's WISE program. Comparable through water stewardship and circular economy focus, but operates as a global for-profit incumbent in the broader environmental services space rather than as a regional nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cglrgreatlakes
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@councilofthegreatlakesregion
• Facebookfacebook.com/CouncilGreatLakesRegion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/council-of-the-great-lakes-region
• Instagraminstagram.com/cglrgreatlakes

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Council of the Great Lakes Region