Groundswell

What Groundswell does

Groundswell is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2009 and headquartered in Washington, DC, with a satellite office in LaGrange, GA. The organization delivers clean energy and energy efficiency programs to income-qualified households in 12 states across the Heartland, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions. Core programs include SOUL® (no-cost home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades for households at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level), Community Solar subscription projects (SharePower), Community Resilience Hubs (solar + battery storage at churches and community centers for emergency power), and the Southeast Rural Power program (a regional Solar for All initiative targeting 17,000+ households across eight states). A workforce development track (CPET) trains community residents for energy sector careers in partnership with Georgia Power.

Programs are delivered through covenant partnerships with faith-based institutions, municipal governments (City of Atlanta, West Memphis), utilities (Georgia Power, Entergy Arkansas), and state agencies (GEFA), and are funded through federal grants, corporate philanthropy (Google's $25M West Memphis Energy Impact Fund), and foundation grants (Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation). End-user pricing is zero-cost to eligible households; the underlying business model is grant-driven nonprofit program implementation rather than fee-for-service revenue.

The Gratava platform is Groundswell's cloud-based, AI-powered data platform that automates enrollment, verifies eligibility, matches households to programs, and tracks energy savings across the portfolio. The platform uses AI-powered "Community Catalysts" with natural language interfaces and processes structured household, eligibility, and savings data. A consumer-facing brand, SolMate, sits on top of Gratava. As of the most recent disclosed period, Groundswell had served 7,800+ households directly, facilitated $3.9M in annual energy savings, and invested $1.04M directly into income-qualified households.

Name

Groundswell

Legal name

Groundswell

Website

https://groundswell.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Groundswell is a 501c3 nonprofit that delivers community solar, home energy efficiency upgrades, and resilience hubs to income-qualified households across 12 U.S. states, using its AI-powered Gratava platform and faith-based, utility, and government partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Energy Programs

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Capacity Building & Nonprofit Infrastructure Funders (BPAGAKAO), DER Aggregation & Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) (EUAMAJAC)

Keywords

• Community solar programs
• Energy efficiency services
• Resilience hub installations
• Low-income energy assistance
• Clean energy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: Majority of funding comes from federal grants including EPA Solar for All ($156M grant for Southeast Rural Power), EPA Community Change Grants, and state/federal energy programs. Also receives government contracts for program implementation.
2. Foundation Grants and Philanthropic Funding: Grants from foundations including Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and corporate philanthropy from companies like Google for community benefit programs.
3. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals supporting the nonprofit mission of building community power and energy affordability.
4. Program Revenue (SharePower): Community solar subscription program where subscribers pay for clean energy from local community solar projects, sharing solar power and savings with neighbors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Groundswell is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds community power through clean energy programs targeting income-qualified households. Its core offerings include community solar subscriptions, no-cost home energy efficiency and repair upgrades (SOUL program), solar-and-battery community resilience hubs at trusted community spaces, and workforce training for energy sector careers. Programs are delivered at no cost to eligible households and funded primarily through government grants, foundation funding, and philanthropic donations.

Product overview

Groundswell offers a multi-product portfolio centered on community power and energy affordability. The core offerings include: (1) SOUL - an energy efficiency and home repair program; (2) Community Solar - shared solar projects without rooftop installation; (3) Community Resilience Hubs - solar plus battery storage for emergency power; and (4) Southeast Rural Power - a regional solar for all program. These programs are supported by the Gratava AI-powered data platform which handles enrollment automation and program matching. Additional offerings include SharePower community solar subscriptions, the Westside Resilience Corridor coalition initiative, the Rural Renaissance Roadshow annual event, and The Groundswell Way podcast. The portfolio serves income-qualified households across the Heartland, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SOUL (Save On Utilities Long-term): Energy efficiency upgrades and essential home repairs program that makes homes safer, more affordable, and more resilient.
• Southeast Rural Power
• Gratava
• Community Resilience Hubs
• SharePower
• Resilient Communities Maryland (RCM)
• Rural Renaissance Roadshow

Products and services

• SOUL (Save On Utilities Long-term) Energy efficiency and home repair program that delivers no-cost home repairs (roofing, electrical, structural) and energy efficiency upgrades to income-qualified households. Combines necessary pre-weatherization repairs with efficiency upgrades to achieve lasting savings, safer homes, and stronger housing stability for low-income families and seniors.
• Community Solar Community solar projects enabling households to access solar energy benefits without installing panels on their roof. Cuts electricity bills, hires local workers, and keeps savings within the community. Serves income-qualified households in the Heartland, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions.
• Community Resilience Hubs Solar and battery storage installations at trusted community spaces such as churches and community centers that keep neighbors connected and safe during power outages. Hubs power medical devices, charge phones, and support emergency communication. 13 hubs constructed or in development across 3 states, with 40+ planned by 2030.
• Southeast Rural Power Regional program committed to energy affordability and community resilience in rural America through community solar, resilience hubs, energy-efficient home upgrades, workforce training, and small business support. Targets more than 17,000 households with plans for ~24 MW AC initial community solar capacity and 100+ MW AC total target.
• SharePower Community solar subscription program allowing subscribers to share solar power with income-qualified neighbors. Supports clean energy adoption while delivering electricity bill savings to subscribers and their neighbors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 34% average improvement in energy efficiency for SOUL program participants
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Entergy ArkansascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2026Entergy Arkansas partners through its Low-Income Solutions program to support households in Crittenden County, Arkansas with weatherization and energy-efficiency improvements as part of the West Memphis Energy Impact Fund initiative.
• City of AtlantacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025City of Atlanta is a key partner in the Westside Resilience Corridor, providing planning and implementation support to ensure access for Atlanta residents. Leverages research from Mayor's Office Co-Design Lab for career planning and provides case management support through the Vicars Community Center.
• Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025GEFA partners with Groundswell through its Home Efficiency Rebate and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate programs, woven into the Westside Resilience Corridor initiative to help residents reduce energy bills.
• Westside Resilience Corridor ChurchescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Coalition of four Atlanta churches (West Hunter Street Baptist, Providence Missionary Baptist, Community Church Atlanta/Vicars Community Center, Atlanta Good Shepherd Community Church) working in covenant partnership with Groundswell to strengthen community resilience.
• Georgia PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Power partners with Groundswell on energy efficiency programs (EASE), workforce training (CPET), and resilience hub development. Provides technical training for the Career Pre-Employment Training program and aligns existing energy efficiency and solar programs with Westside Resilience Corridor initiatives.
• ICFcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerICF coordinates home repairs and energy-efficiency improvements alongside Entergy Arkansas in the West Memphis program, working with Groundswell and Crowley's Ridge Development Council to prepare homes for weatherization.
• Crowley's Ridge Development CouncilminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal development organization serving as a fund recipient in the West Memphis Energy Impact Fund, focused on preparing homes for energy-efficiency measures.
• DC Green BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDC Green Bank partnered with Groundswell and DC Chamber of Commerce to host events on energy affordability and resilience in DC, highlighting programs like Solar for All serving 30,000 DC residents.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Vote Solar: State-based clean energy advocacy nonprofit focused on expanding rooftop and community solar access. Comparable in mission of democratizing solar access for low-income communities and in engaging state-level policy and utility partnerships, with partial overlap on community solar subscription models.
• Coalition for Green Capital: Nonprofit that designs and implements green banks and clean energy financing institutions at state and local level. Comparable in mission of financing clean energy for underserved communities and in partnering with state/local governments and green banks (e.g., DC Green Bank partner to Groundswell).
• Inclusive Prosperity Capital: CDFI focused on financing community solar, energy efficiency, and clean energy for underserved communities. Comparable in deploying capital for community solar and energy efficiency in low-income communities, with overlapping funder ecosystem and program structures (e.g., DC Solar for All).

Direct peers

• GRID Alternatives: National nonprofit installing solar and providing energy efficiency for low-income households, with a workforce development focus. Direct peer to Groundswell's SOUL, community solar, and CPET programs, with overlapping beneficiary populations and utility partnership model.
• Emerald Cities Collaborative: National nonprofit coalition working at the intersection of equity, climate, and economic inclusion through community-based clean energy and energy efficiency programs. Direct peer in community-based energy program delivery, workforce development, and place-based equity model.
• Solar United Neighbors: Nonprofit that organizes communities for community solar and rooftop solar adoption, with a focus on removing barriers for underserved households. Direct peer to Groundswell's community solar and SharePower programs, sharing a community-led GTM and similar target customer segments.
• Partnership for Southern Equity: Atlanta-based nonprofit advancing racial and economic equity in the South, with explicit focus on energy equity, economic inclusion, and community resilience. Highly comparable in geographic footprint (Southeast US), target demographics, and the intersection of clean energy with community development.

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: Major national nonprofit working on affordable housing and community development, with growing focus on decarbonization and resilience. Comparable in pairing affordable housing preservation with energy efficiency and in deploying federal/state funding at community scale.
• RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute): Large clean energy nonprofit think/do-tank working on energy system transformation including equitable access and community resilience. Comparable in mission scope and philanthropic funding model, with overlapping interest in community resilience hubs and equitable energy transition.
• Energy Foundation: Major philanthropic grantmaking organization funding clean energy policy and deployment across the US. Comparable in foundation/grantor structure and clean energy mission, with overlapping funder relationships (e.g., Google.org, major foundations) and similar advocacy goals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/grndswell
• Facebookfacebook.com/grndswell
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/groundswell-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/grndswell

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Groundswell