REVERB

What REVERB does

REVERB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Portland, Maine, founded in 2004 to deliver turn-key environmental sustainability programs for the live music industry. The organization partners directly with touring artists, festivals, and venues to reduce the environmental footprint of concerts through a suite of program lines: Eco-Villages / Action Villages (fan engagement spaces at shows hosting 6,100+ nonprofits, water refill stations, and climate action tools), the #RockNRefill program (a 2013 partnership with Nalgene that has eliminated 4M+ single-use plastic bottles and raised $5M+ for nonprofits), the Music Climate Revolution campaign (artist ticket-sale dedications funding verified climate projects), and the Music Decarbonization Project (decarbonizing live music infrastructure, including the first zero-emission battery-powered stage at Ultra Music Festival in 2026). Service offerings are tiered by venue size — large (5,000–60,000+), medium (1,000–5,000), and clubs (500–1,000+) — and include tour greening, waste reduction, carbon neutralization, reusable products, and fan engagement. REVERB has greened 8,500+ concerts, raised $21M+ for environmental causes, neutralized 420,000+ metric tons of CO2e, and generated 8M+ fan actions since founding, with marquee artist relationships dating back multiple decades (Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson since 2005; Maroon 5 since 2007; Phish since 2008; Dead & Company since 2015) and newer anchors including Billie Eilish, The Lumineers, ODESZA, Harry Styles, The 1975, Tame Impala, and Olivia Rodrigo.

The organization's business model is a hybrid of charitable fundraising and partnership-driven service delivery. Revenue is generated through four primary streams: (1) individual donations and corporate charitable giving, (2) artist and tour partnerships in which portions of ticket sales are dedicated to REVERB's climate project portfolio, (3) brand sponsorships positioning REVERB as an authentic cause-marketing channel to engaged music audiences, and (4) RockNRefill merchandise sales with 100% of designated donations funding partner nonprofits. Distribution is entirely partnership-led — direct enterprise sales to artists and festivals, venue agreements at the mid-market level, and brand/reseller partnerships with major agencies (Live Nation, Wasserman, Activist Artists Management) — supplemented by an online self-serve layer for donations, volunteer sign-ups, and resources. REVERB does not charge end consumers for services; the model is subsidy-based, relying on philanthropic, corporate, and artist-fund flows.

The underlying technology stack is operational rather than software-centric, comprising physical Eco-Village and Action Village deployments at shows, RockNRefill water station logistics, a vetted Climate Project Portfolio of carbon offset and removal projects (partners include Native Energy, Climeworks, Clearloop, GivePower, TONTOTON, American Forests, Soulardarity), and proprietary research IP including the 2024 Concert Travel Study (35,000+ fan surveys across 400+ concerts in 170+ cities). Geographic footprint spans the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, India, and Kenya. REVERB is co-led by co-founders Adam Gardner (guitarist of Guster) and Lauren Sullivan as Co-Executive Directors, and is governed as an independent nonprofit with no parent company, equity investors, or institutional ownership; the organization is a member of One Percent for the Planet and a co-founder of the Sustainable Concerts Working Group alongside the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Name

REVERB

Legal name

REVERB, Inc.

Website

https://reverb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

REVERB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 that provides turn-key greening programs for touring artists, festivals, and venues, delivering Eco-Villages, RockNRefill stations, carbon offsetting, and fan engagement initiatives across the global live music industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Touring Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Fan Club, Community & CRM Management (MPAIAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Health, Health Promotion & Behavior Change (SBCC) (BPADAIAL)

Keywords

• Sustainable touring services
• Concert greening programs
• Eco-village fan engagement
• Nonprofit music sustainability
• Climate action campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: REVERB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds through individual donations, corporate giving programs, and environmental philanthropy.
2. Artist and Tour Partnerships: Artists dedicate portions of ticket sales to support REVERB's climate projects and sustainability initiatives. The organization partners with artists on customized greening programs.
3. RockNRefill Merchandise: 100% of donations from custom reusable Nalgene bottle sales at concerts support nonprofit organizations and environmental causes.
4. Corporate Brand Partnerships: Brands partner with REVERB to authentically connect with music fans around environmental causes, supporting tour greening efforts and fan engagement programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

REVERB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides turn-key sustainability and fan engagement programs for music artists on tour, including Eco-Village/Action Village activations, the RockNRefill reusable water bottle program (with Nalgene), Music Climate Revolution and Music Decarbonization Project campaigns, and Climate Project Portfolio management. Services are delivered through direct partnerships with artists, festivals, venues, and brands.

Product overview

REVERB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization founded in 2004, leading the green music movement. The organization offers a suite of programs and services centered around sustainable touring: Eco-Villages (fan engagement areas at concerts featuring nonprofits, water stations, and climate action); the RockNRefill program (reusable bottle partnership with Nalgene); Music Climate Revolution and Music Decarbonization Project campaigns; and Sustainable Touring services scaled for large venues, medium venues, and clubs. REVERB works with artists, tours, festivals, and venues to reduce environmental footprint and engage fans in climate action. The organization has greened 7,300+ concert events, raised $21M for environmental causes, neutralized 420,000+ metric tons of CO2e, and generated 8M+ fan actions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• #RockNRefill: A program partnership between REVERB and Nalgene offering reusable water bottles and free water refill stations at concerts to eliminate single-use plastic bottles.
• Music Climate Revolution
• Music Decarbonization Project

Products and services

• Eco-Village / Action Village Fan engagement platform set up at concerts featuring nonprofit organizations, water refill stations, reusable merchandise, climate action activities, and volunteer opportunities that empower fans to take action for environmental and social causes.
• RockNRefill Partnership program with Nalgene offering reusable water bottles and free water refill stations at concerts and festivals to eliminate single-use plastic waste. Since 2013 the program has eliminated over 4 million single-use plastic bottles and raised over $5 million for nonprofits.
• Music Climate Revolution Campaign uniting the music community to fight the climate crisis by funding vetted climate projects and empowering fans to take action, with partners including artists who dedicate portions of ticket sales to support measurable greenhouse gas reductions.
• Music Decarbonization Project Initiative to advance innovative climate solutions that directly eliminate carbon emissions created by the music industry, including supporting emerging technologies and promoting adoption of existing clean energy innovations such as battery-powered stages.
• Sustainable Touring & Fan Engagement Turn-key, custom, and scalable sustainability services for artists and tours including tour greening, waste reduction, carbon neutralization, reusable products, and fan engagement programs, available at three tiers for large venues (5,000-60,000+), medium venues (1,000-5,000), and clubs (500-1,000+).
• Climate Project Portfolio Vetted portfolio of climate projects supported through artist philanthropy, designed to support measurable greenhouse gas reductions, address climate justice, advance decarbonization in music, and create lasting positive impacts.
• Venue Greening Programs Sustainability consulting and execution for venues including RockNRefill water stations, Action Zones with solar charging stations, community nonprofit support, and venue-specific greening initiatives.
• Festival Sustainability Programs Earth-friendly programs for festivals including RockNRefill for plastic waste reduction, Action Villages for fan engagement, and Community Service Events supporting local projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.6+ million plastic bottles eliminated
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• ShowpowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026Partner in Music Decarbonization Project for Ultra Music Festival's first zero-emission battery-powered stage.
• CES PowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026Partner in Music Decarbonization Project providing battery technology for zero-emission stage power.
• NalgenecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013RockNRefill partnership creating custom reusable water bottles and free water refill stations at concerts. Since 2013, the program has eliminated over 4 million single-use plastic bottles and raised over $5 million for nonprofits.
• HeadCountcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoter engagement partnership at concerts through Participation Row and Eco-Village activations, helping fans register to vote and check registration status.
• Support + FeedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlant-based food advocacy partnership encouraging 30-day plant-based eating pledges and supporting sustainable food systems at concerts.
• Music Climate RevolutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerREVERB's campaign uniting the music community to fight the climate crisis through verified climate projects and fan engagement.
• Music Decarbonization ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry effort advancing innovative climate solutions to directly eliminate carbon emissions created by the music industry, including zero-emission stage technology.
• Live NationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor touring and festival partner working with REVERB on sustainability initiatives across Live Nation venues and events.
• WassermanmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist management partner collaborating on sustainability programs for managed artists.
• Google MapsmajorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Billie Eilish allowing fans to find efficient planet-friendly routes to shows, including plant-based food options along the way.
• Solar HollerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal solar partner facilitating solar panel installation at Huntington Children's Museum in partnership with My Morning Jacket.
• Generation180minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean energy nonprofit partner encouraging fans to take National Going Electric Pledge at Dave Matthews Band tours.
• Native EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate project partner providing verified carbon offset projects including biodigesters in Mexico and wind projects.
• The Solutions ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate justice partner supporting diverse climate projects including solar streetlights and community solar initiatives.
• GivePowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar-powered water desalination partner for clean water projects in Kenya.
• ClimeworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect air capture technology partner for carbon dioxide removal projects.
• SoulardarityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for solar-powered streetlights project in Highland Park, Michigan.
• ClearloopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity solar partner for Mississippi Delta Community Solar Project providing clean energy to underserved communities.
• American ForestsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban forestry partner designing shovel-ready projects in Austin, TX neighborhoods with low tree equity scores.
• TONTOTONminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlastic collection partner removing plastic from oceans in Vietnam and Cambodia marginalized communities.
• We Don't WasteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood recovery nonprofit partner recovering quality unused food for delivery to those in need at Guster Red Rocks show.
• Positive LegacyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService integration partner combining music and community service for positive impact.
• Portland TrailsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit partner for trail cleanup volunteer projects in Portland, ME.
• Musically FedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood donation partner recovering excess catering food for local nonprofits and shelters.
• D'Addario FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuitar string recycling partner collecting strings for recycling at concerts.
• Calling All CrowsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeminist social action organization partnering for fan engagement at The 1975 shows.
• One Percent for the PlanetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental giving organization of which REVERB is a member, supporting environmental nonprofits.
• Sustainable Concerts Working GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative industry group of music professionals, nonprofits, and researchers promoting sustainability best practices.
• Ocean FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Resilience Initiative partner for coastal habitat restoration and conservation.
• Activist Artists ManagementmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist management partner representing multiple REVERB artist partners including The Lumineers, Young the Giant, and Dead & Company.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HeadCount: Nonprofit running voter-registration and civic-engagement activations at concerts and festivals (e.g., 'Participation Row'). Listed in REVERB's own partnership records as a co-activator; peer because it executes on-site civic programming at the same events REVERB services with Eco-Villages.
• Julie's Bicycle: UK-based nonprofit that supports arts and culture organizations (festivals, venues, tours) to measure and reduce their environmental impact. Direct mission-aligned peer to REVERB with a comparable focus on greening live performance and a similar service-based delivery model to artists and events.
• Clean Vibes: Service provider specializing in concert and festival cleanup, waste-sorting stations, and backstage recycling programs at live events. Direct operational peer to REVERB's venue and festival sustainability services with overlapping on-the-ground concert waste-reduction execution.
• EarthPercent: Music-industry climate nonprofit founded by Brian Eno that directs a share of music revenue toward climate projects. Peer to REVERB in the music-meets-climate philanthropy category with a comparable artist-driven, donation-channel model and music-industry focus.
• A Greener Future (AGF): Nonprofit that works with festivals and live events on sustainability programs including waste reduction, water refill, and carbon reporting. Closely comparable to REVERB in operating model (festival-first, water-refill stations, environmental nonprofit partner activations) though more UK/Europe focused.
• Powerful Thinking: UK-based initiative focused on sustainable energy and resource use in the live events sector, working with festivals, promoters, and producers. Peer to REVERB in the music-sustainability-services category with overlapping greening-festival capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Music Sustainability Alliance (MSA): Industry coalition and award body that convenes music industry stakeholders on sustainability and administers the Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards (which REVERB won in 2026). Comparable as the industry-standards umbrella in the same space, though operating as a membership coalition rather than a service provider.

Emerging players

• Support + Feed: Nonprofit promoting plant-based eating as climate action, co-founded by Maggie Baird (mother of Billie Eilish) and listed as a REVERB partner at concerts. Emerging peer with overlapping concert-based climate fan-engagement activations and shared artist relationships.
• TAKE A STAND: Artist-led environmental initiative that mobilizes the music community around climate and sustainability causes. Comparable to REVERB in mission and artist-activism model, but smaller scale and with a focus on collective advocacy rather than on-site tour-greening services.

Regional players

• Green Music Initiative: German nonprofit that promotes environmental sustainability in the music industry, working with festivals, artists, and labels. Regional peer to REVERB with comparable mission and event-driven delivery model, but focused on the German-speaking European market rather than competing directly in REVERB's U.S./UK stronghold.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCymmA2z4ncKwYhb-g2K9Emw
• Facebookfacebook.com/reverb
• Instagraminstagram.com/REVERB_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about REVERB