Ohio Environmental Council

What Ohio Environmental Council does

The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit environmental advocacy organization founded in 1969 and headquartered at 556 East Town Street, Columbus, Ohio. For more than 55 years, OEC has served as Ohio's leading environmental advocacy organization, operating a portfolio of interconnected programs across climate, energy, public lands, water, democracy, field advocacy, and legal services through its OEC Law Center. The organization maintains six regional field advocacy teams covering Central Ohio, Cleveland/Cuyahoga County, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest Ohio, enabling statewide mobilization of citizens for action alerts, public testimony, and grassroots campaigns. OEC engages directly with the Ohio General Assembly, Ohio EPA, ODNR, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and the Ohio Power Siting Board, and has formal standing to intervene in regulatory proceedings, utility rate cases, and permit appeals.

OEC's product surface consists of programmatic advocacy rather than commercial technology: the OEC Law Center provides legal representation in administrative and regulatory matters; campaigns address H2Ohio water quality, lead service line replacement, methane pollution, state public lands protection, the Big and Little Darby Creeks watershed, and utility-scale solar; and educational resources include an Advocacy Toolkit, Water 101 video series, GreenWatch newsletter, and the Ohio Utility-Scale Solar Trends quarterly report. Notable programmatic outcomes include supporting the restoration of 20,000 acres of wetlands and the removal of 60,000 lbs of phosphorus from Lake Erie annually through H2Ohio, contributing to 18 of 43 Great Lakes Areas of Concern being delisted, and publishing a cost-benefit analysis showing $32-45 in public health and economic benefit per dollar invested in lead service line replacement, with full replacement projected to grow Ohio's economy by $145-185 billion over 15 years.

OEC's revenue model is entirely donation-based, comprising individual donations, monthly recurring gifts through the Green Giving Club, planned giving and bequests, gifts of appreciated securities, and federated workplace giving through Community Shares of Mid-Ohio. Pricing is not applicable as the organization does not sell products or services. Core strategic partnerships include co-founding the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI) with agricultural stakeholders and ongoing alliances with The Nature Conservancy, the Environmental Law & Policy Center, the Darby Creek Association, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Community Shares of Mid-Ohio. The organization is led by CEO Carol Kauffman and General Counsel Chris Tavenor.

Name

Ohio Environmental Council

Legal name

Ohio Environmental Council

Website

https://theoec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Ohio Environmental Council is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit environmental advocacy organization founded in 1969 that operates statewide across Ohio through legal advocacy, policy work, six regional field organizing teams, and campaigns on climate, energy, water, public lands, and democracy issues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: The organization raises funds through individual donations, monthly giving programs (Green Giving Club), membership contributions, and bequests. Donors can give through various mechanisms including credit card, Donor Advised Funds, and IRA Accounts.
2. Planned Giving and Bequests: The organization accepts bequests and other planned gifts through wills or living trusts, allowing donors to leave a legacy gift to the organization.
3. Securities and Stock Donations: Donors can give gifts of appreciated securities including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, which can provide tax benefits including income tax deductions and avoidance of capital gains tax.
4. Workplace Giving: The organization participates in federated workplace giving through Community Shares of Mid-Ohio and payroll deductions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Ohio Environmental Council is a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization that protects Ohio's environment and public health through legal and policy advocacy, field-based community organizing, and civic engagement. Its core offerings include programmatic advocacy on Climate, Energy, Public Lands, Water, and Democracy issues, supported by an in-house OEC Law Center for environmental litigation and regulatory proceedings, and a statewide Field Advocacy Network operating across all six Ohio regions. The organization also runs targeted campaigns (H2Ohio, Cut Methane Pollution, Eliminate Lead Service Lines, Protect Big and Little Darby Creeks, Protect Ohio's State Public Lands) and produces educational resources including an Advocacy Toolkit, Water 101 video series, and GreenWatch newsletter.

Product overview

The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) is Ohio's leading environmental advocacy nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and campaigns rather than a traditional software product. The organization operates core programmatic areas including Climate Advocacy, Energy Policy, Water Quality Programs, Public Lands Protection, Democracy and Civic Engagement, the OEC Law Center (legal advocacy), and a statewide Field Advocacy Network with regional coverage. Key campaigns focus on H2Ohio water quality initiatives, cutting methane pollution, eliminating lead service lines, protecting the Big and Little Darby Creeks, protecting state public lands from fracking, and supporting solar energy development. The OEC also provides educational resources including an Advocacy Toolkit, Water 101 video series, quarterly GreenWatch newsletter, and publishes the Ohio Utility-Scale Solar Trends quarterly report. The organization engages in legal advocacy through its Law Center and facilitates civic participation through action alerts, public testimony guidance, and community organizing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OEC Action Fund: Affiliate organization of the Ohio Environmental Council that engages in political advocacy and action alerts.

Products and services

• Climate Advocacy Program Policy advocacy and campaigns addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation for Ohio communities. A core program of OEC's nonprofit advocacy work, not a paid product.
• Energy Policy Advocacy Program Advocacy for clean energy policies including utility-scale solar projects, methane pollution reduction, and grid reliability. Directed by Managing Director of Energy Policy.
• Water Quality Programs Initiatives protecting Ohio's water resources including H2Ohio wetland restoration, lead service line replacement advocacy, and harmful algal bloom mitigation.
• Public Lands Protection Program Campaigns to protect Ohio state parks and public lands from oil and gas leasing and development threats, including the Protect Ohio's State Public Lands campaign.
• Democracy and Civic Engagement Program Programs focused on decision-maker accountability, voter engagement, and civic participation in environmental policy across Ohio.
• OEC Law Center Legal advocacy and litigation services protecting Ohio's environment through administrative appeals, regulatory comments, participation in utility rate cases, and court proceedings. Led by General Counsel Chris Tavenor.
• Field Advocacy Network Regional field operations across Ohio including Central Ohio, Cleveland/Cuyahoga County, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest regions, mobilizing community members and local leaders for environmental advocacy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Restored 20,000 acres of wetlands and removed 60,000 lbs of phosphorus from Lake Erie annually through H2Ohio
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nature Conservancy is a key partner in advancing H2Ohio and protecting Ohio's water resources. OEC has partnered with TNC on advocacy campaigns, public understanding efforts, and securing long-term sustainable funding for water quality programs.
• Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEC helped found OACI, which operates as part of the broader H2Ohio effort to improve water quality. OACI brings together farmers, agribusiness leaders, and conservation partners to advance voluntary, science-based practices that reduce nutrient runoff while maintaining a strong agricultural economy.
• Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELPC is the Midwest's premier environmental legal advocacy organization. OEC partnered with ELPC on the AES Ohio rate case settlement, working together on consumer protections and clean energy initiatives.
• Darby Creek AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in protecting the Big and Little Darby Creeks. Together they have filed joint comments, appeals, and technical documents advocating for Outstanding National Resource Water designation and watershed protections.
• Center for Biological DiversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in legal action to protect Big Darby Creek watershed, including appeals of wastewater expansion permits and advocacy for endangered species protections.
• Junction CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with OEC to host tours of Great Lakes restoration areas for local and state lawmakers, showcasing H2Ohio and GLRI investments in Northwest Ohio.
• Metroparks ToledominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in restoration of Howard Marsh and other wetland areas, showcasing effective use of H2Ohio and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding for water quality improvements.
• Columbus FoundationminorOthersSupporter of the OEC's front entry native plants garden project at their Columbus office, contributing to climate-forward environmental enhancements.
• Franklin Soil and Water Conservation DistrictminorOthersSupporter of the OEC's native plants garden, contributing to environmental stewardship and education.
• Community Shares of Mid-OhiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOEC is a proud member of Community Shares of Mid-Ohio, a federated workplace giving organization that allows employees to donate to the organization through payroll deductions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sierra Club (Ohio Chapter): National environmental organization with active Ohio chapter operating on overlapping climate, energy, water, and public lands advocacy. Sierra Club is a direct peer to OEC in terms of statewide grassroots mobilization, policy advocacy in Columbus, and donor base targeting environmentally-minded Ohioans.
• Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC): Midwest environmental legal advocacy organization that has partnered with OEC on the AES Ohio rate case settlement and broader clean energy litigation. ELPC is a direct peer in legal advocacy and regulatory intervention across Ohio and neighboring Great Lakes states.
• The Nature Conservancy (Ohio): Global conservation organization with active Ohio operations that partners with OEC on H2Ohio and water quality programs. Comparable in mission focus on land and water protection, though TNC emphasizes on-the-ground conservation projects while OEC focuses on policy and legal advocacy.
• National Wildlife Federation (Great Lakes / Ohio): National conservation organization with Great Lakes regional office focused on Lake Erie, wetlands, and water quality - directly overlapping OEC's H2Ohio, wetland restoration, and Areas of Concern work. Comparable as a donor-supported nonprofit competing for environmental Ohio donor dollars.
• Center for Biological Diversity: National nonprofit focused on endangered species and habitat protection that has partnered with OEC on legal action to protect Big Darby Creek watershed. Direct peer in legal advocacy and Ohio endangered species work, particularly on wastewater permit appeals.

Broad incumbents

• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): National environmental advocacy and legal organization operating across climate, water, energy, and public health. NRDC is a broad incumbent with overlapping issue priorities but operates at federal scale rather than Ohio-specific, and competes with OEC for donor mindshare in Ohio-relevant campaigns.
• Earthjustice: National nonprofit environmental law organization that litigates on clean energy, clean water, and public lands issues overlapping OEC's Law Center practice areas. Broad incumbent peer with significantly larger legal capacity; competes for foundation grants and donor attention.
• Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): National environmental advocacy organization working on climate, energy, and methane reduction - an active priority area for OEC's Cut Methane Pollution campaign. Broad incumbent peer competing for philanthropic dollars in overlapping methane, climate, and clean energy spaces.

Regional players

• Lake Erie Foundation: Regional Great Lakes nonprofit focused specifically on Lake Erie water quality, harmful algal blooms, and nutrient reduction. Highly comparable to OEC's water quality portfolio but narrower in geographic scope, and competes for donor attention in Lake Erie advocacy.
• Ohio River Foundation: Ohio-based nonprofit working to protect and improve the Ohio River watershed through restoration, education, and advocacy. Comparable in mission and Ohio-specific focus, particularly overlapping OEC's Water 101 series and watershed protection campaigns like Big and Little Darby Creeks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OhioEnviro
• Facebookfacebook.com/OhioEnvironmentalCouncil
• Instagraminstagram.com/ohioenviro

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ohio Environmental Council