What Empowerment Works does

Empowerment Works (EW), legally Empowerment WORKS, Inc., is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit social change organization founded in 2001 by Melanie St. James. The organization is anchored by its proprietary 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS) framework — a seven-stage, asset-based community development roadmap inspired by natural systems — which underpins all of its programs. EW operates a diversified portfolio built around this methodology: the biennial Global Summit convening multi-sector stakeholders across four continents; the Artists in Action event series; the Pulse of the Movement webcast series; sustainability education programs including the Catalyst Action Training youth leadership platform; the Partners in Empowerment (PIE) six-sector collaboration framework; and a Fiscal Sponsorship Program providing Model A 501(c)(3) sponsorship to over 45 active nonprofit projects spanning democracy, labor rights, social justice, environmental sustainability, education, and community development.

The organization's core technology assets include the 7SS framework itself, the PIE six-sector network architecture, and 1PIE.org — a collaboration portal alpha-launched in 2020 with technology partner 1PIE Technologies, designed to link community-based initiatives with global partners for needs assessment, goal-setting, and impact measurement. EW does not offer a public API or developer-facing platform; the 1PIE.org platform is positioned as a project development and evaluation tool rather than a software product.

Empowerment Works generates revenue through a hybrid nonprofit model: recurring fiscal sponsorship admin fees (5% of gross revenue for US projects, 10% for foreign projects without US representation) across 45+ sponsored projects; tax-deductible donations from foundations and individuals; entrance fees and supporting partner contributions for Global Summit, Artists in Action, and education programs; and in-kind support from pro-bono volunteers and partners. The organization is led by a small core team headed by Founder and Executive Director Melanie St. James, supported by a three-person Board of Directors and three-person Advisory Council, with operating presence spanning Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe.

Name

Empowerment Works

Legal name

Empowerment WORKS, Inc.

Website

https://empowermentworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Empowerment Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that promotes sustainable community development globally through its proprietary 7 Stages to Sustainability framework, fiscal sponsorship of 45+ nonprofit projects, biennial Global Summits, and sustainability education programs across four continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Development & Sustainability Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

Keywords

• Nonprofit fiscal sponsorship
• Sustainability education programs
• Community development framework
• Social change collaboration
• Global summit events

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

Revenue model

1. Fiscal Sponsorship Program Fees: Empowerment Works serves as a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor for over 45 projects, charging an admin fee of 5% of gross revenue (or 10% for foreign projects without US representation), allowing 95% of donor funds to go directly to project needs.
2. Donations and Contributions: Contributions from foundations and individual donors. Empowerment Works is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with EIN: 31-179-6801. All donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.
3. Program Entrance Fees and Partner Contributions: Entrance fees and supporting partner contributions for educational programs and co-creative events including The Global Summit, Artists in Action events, and sustainability training programs.
4. In-Kind Support: Support from in-kind partners and pro-bono volunteers providing funding, hardware, software, connectivity, time and talent to advance the mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Empowerment Works operates a portfolio of social change programs anchored by its proprietary 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS) collaboration roadmap and Asset Based Community-driven Development (ABCD) framework. It provides Model A 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship to 45+ nonprofit projects, delivers sustainability education and youth leadership training (including Permaculture Design Courses and Catalyst Action Training), and produces the biennial Global Summit forum, Artists in Action benefit events, and Pulse of the Movement webcasts.

Product overview

Empowerment Works operates as a social change organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a single software product. At its core is the 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS) — a proprietary collaboration roadmap, ABCD framework, and training curriculum — which anchors all other offerings. The portfolio includes: The Global Summit, a biennial multi-sector forum; the Artists in Action event series; a Fiscal Sponsorship Program supporting over 45 nonprofit projects; Pulse of the Movement webcasts; and 1PIE.org, a technology platform for project development and evaluation. Supporting these are sustainability education programs, the Catalyst Action Training youth leadership platform, and the Partners in Empowerment (PIE) six-sector participatory framework. Together these form a whole-system approach spanning community development methodology, events, fiscal services, educational tools, and a technology layer for global collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS): EW's flagship collaboration roadmap, Asset Based Community-driven Development (ABCD) framework, and regenerative development training curriculum.
• Partners in Empowerment (PIE)
• Artists in Action
• The Global Summit
• Pulse of the Movement
• 1PIE.org
• Catalyst Action Training (CAT)

Products and services

• 7 Stages to Sustainability (7SS) Framework EW's flagship collaboration roadmap, Asset Based Community-driven Development (ABCD) framework, and regenerative development training curriculum that models how nature creates, guiding communities through 7 sequential stages from stakeholder engagement to sustainable reinvestment in impact.
• The Global Summit A biennial social, economic, and environmental leadership forum fostering unity through diversity across four continents, serving as a platform for worldwide collaboration uniting diverse people, organizations, and businesses toward a healthier, culturally rich, and sustainable future.
• Artists in Action Event Series An event series providing a medium for artists to address critical social and environmental issues, raise public awareness, and fundraise for community-led solutions, ranging from theatrical productions and art exhibitions to live music events and soirees.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Program EW provides comprehensive (Model A) nonprofit fiscal sponsorship services to projects advancing its mission, conferring 501(c)(3) status and offering administrative support, capacity building, and access to the 7SS framework and Partners in Empowerment network. EW currently fiscally sponsors over 45 active projects at a $275 one-time setup fee and a 5% admin fee on US project gross revenue (10% for foreign projects without US representation).
• Pulse of the Movement Webcast Series A free webcast series created to illuminate local solutions and catalyze critical mass collaborations in the transition to a regenerative world, featuring leaders, partners, local voices, and opportunities for participants to have greater community impact and personal transformation.
• 1PIE.org Platform An on-and-offline initiative providing tools to build sustainable futures, designed as a project development and evaluation system linking transparent and measurable community-based initiatives with the most relevant global partners. Future iterations are envisioned as a full-scale global collaboration portal linking local organizers with 6-sector Partners in Empowerment.
• Sustainability Education Programs EW's community development education programs delivered through a global learning community, including 7SS basic training curriculum, Permaculture Design Courses, and the Catalyst Action Training platform for youth leadership.
• Catalyst Action Training (CAT) A youth leadership platform building on the 7SS framework to accelerate change by creating empowered, inspired, and connected leaders. The first CAT launched in Nepal in 2017 with 22 young women, covering women's rights, entrepreneurship, and regenerative strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7SS framework applied across 4+ continents with Mercy Corps case study in Nepal & Timor-Leste
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fiscally Sponsored Projects NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Since 2004, EW has provided nonprofit fiscal sponsorship (Model A) to 45+ projects advancing the mission towards a thriving, socially just world. Projects gain access to 7SS education, capacity building, outreach opportunities, and the multi-sector PIE network.
• Mercy CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercy Corps has documented the application of 7SS in their programs in Nepal and Timor-Leste, providing an external case study validating the framework's effectiveness in humanitarian contexts.
• World Academy for the Future of Women (WAFW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch 7SS curriculum with 90+ young women at Sias International University in Henan, China (2009), part of year-long Service Learning program addressing Millennium Development Goals.
• Sacred Earth TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia-based NGO partner for 7SS Permaculture Design Course in Bodh Gaya, India (2013), introducing appropriate technology solutions including Ubuntu Blox plastic recycling.
• Living MandalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS sustainable education collective co-facilitating 7SS programs including India PDC and California PDCs, bringing permaculture expertise to EW's methodology.
• 1PIE TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner co-developing 1PIE.org global collaboration portal - a public-private partnership integrating tools for comprehensive global collaboration system.
• Tides FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership advisor Leena Barakat connected through EW's fiscally sponsored project Visualizing Impact; Tides provides fiscal sponsorship infrastructure and strategic partnership expertise.
• Quail Springs PermacultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPermaculture education partner; Warren Brush featured as water solutions expert on Pulse of the Movement webcast.
• Permaculture Research Institute of KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational permaculture education partner contributing to EW's network of regenerative design expertise.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing The Global Summit VI in Jordan (2018), UNDP Country Director attended Pitch Day showcasing 16 prototypes; invited Champions to join worldwide accelerator-lab initiative for local social innovation.
• The Global SummitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiennial social, economic & environmental forum (produced by EW since 2008) fostering unity through diversity across four continents, with 2020 Tokyo virtual edition.
• The Voter Education ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive fiscal sponsorship project (2026) bringing transparency and accountability to US democracy through YourRepRecord.org.
• International Alliance of App-based Transport WorkerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive fiscal sponsorship project (2026) elevating voices of 154M+ workers worldwide through the gig economy platform.
• Diamonds for PeaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with artisanal diamond miners in Liberia to build capacity and market access for ethically mined diamonds, improving local communities.
• WILDSEED Community Farm and Healing VillageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmerging Black and Brown-led, feminine-centered, queer-loving, earth-based sanctuary and political home on 181 acres in Millerton, NY.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Large international humanitarian and development NGO that has externally validated the 7SS framework in Nepal and Timor-Leste — directly comparable in mission (community-led development) and an active partner of Empowerment Works.
• Schwab Charitable Fund: One of the largest U.S. donor-advised fund sponsors and fiscal sponsors; comparable as a charitable giving infrastructure provider but with a different model (DAF-centric) and far greater scale.

Direct peers

• Pachamama Alliance: U.S.-based nonprofit combining indigenous wisdom, sustainability education, and global convening to drive systemic change — closely comparable to Empowerment Works in philosophy, audience, and use of multi-sector collaboration frameworks.
• Ashoka: Global network supporting leading social entrepreneurs via fellowships, capacity building, and cross-sector convening — directly comparable to Empowerment Works in mission (locally-led social change) and methodology (network and ecosystem support).
• Echoing Green: Fellowship and leadership development organization for emerging social-impact leaders; closely comparable in supporting individual change-makers (e.g., Catalyst Action Training parallels Echoing Green fellowships) and in funding early-stage social enterprises.
• Permaculture Research Institute: Global permaculture education and design network; directly comparable to Empowerment Works' 7SS + Permaculture Design Courses and sustainability education programs (India 2013, California).
• Tides Foundation: A major U.S. fiscal sponsor and philanthropic intermediary; directly comparable to Empowerment Works as a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and grantmaker, but at substantially larger scale and with broader programmatic reach.
• Global Greengrants Fund: Environmental grantmaking foundation supporting grassroots sustainability and climate action globally — comparable in mission (locally-led environmental/social solutions), fiscal sponsorship model, and global reach across the Global South.

Emerging players

• Foundation for Intentional Community: Networking and education hub for intentional communities and sustainability practitioners; comparable as a community-development knowledge and convening organization with overlapping audience of regenerative design practitioners.
• RSF Social Finance: Mission-aligned financial services organization supporting social enterprises and nonprofit projects through integrated capital — partially overlapping with Empowerment Works' fiscal sponsorship and partner network functions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4QIguW15X40GE1kkFn4TzA
• Facebookfacebook.com/grandmothersempowermentproject
• Xx.com/EWorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empowerment-works-ew-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Empowerment Works