Ecology Action
Ecology Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 that advances equitable climate solutions across California through EV adoption, EV charging installation, active transportation, Complete Streets planning, water conservation, and commercial energy efficiency services in 25+ states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersSanta Cruz, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Ecology Action does
Ecology Action, founded in 1970 on the first Earth Day and headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with regional offices in Salinas and Watsonville. It delivers community climate solutions across California — and energy management services across 25+ states — operating through four program pillars: sustainable transportation, energy management, community resilience, and water conservation. Its service portfolio includes the Modo active transportation platform, the EVs for Everyone bilingual EV purchase-assistance program, free EV charging site assessment and installation for multifamily housing and small businesses, Complete Streets infrastructure planning with municipal partners, the Resilient Central Coast platform, and the Climate Victory Gardens turf-conversion program. Energy-side programs include ASHRAE Level 1 and 2 audits, retrocommissioning (RCx), HVAC, refrigeration, lighting, and EV charging upgrades delivered by a licensed California general contractor (GC Lic #980743 B & C10), alongside the Western State Food Bank Network Energy Efficiency Program. The WaterLink program (completed 2016–2019) historically served 24,664 properties and saved 148 million gallons of water in 2016 alone.
Cumulative reported impact includes 3,619,051 metric tons of CO2 emissions reduced, 621 EV chargers installed serving 6,932 people, $34M in annualized operational savings and 17M kWh in annual energy savings delivered since 2020, and $16.6M in incentives delivered to customers since 2020. By 2024 the organization had grown to over 100 team members across the Central Coast and Bay Area.
Revenue is generated primarily through government grants (federal, state, and local — including U.S. DOE, CARB, California Energy Commission, CalDWR, Washington Department of Ecology), foundation grants, individual donations, fee-for-service energy consulting and contracting for commercial properties, and administration of utility incentive programs. Go-to-market motions are hybrid: community-led engagement through policy partnerships and results-based activation; enterprise field sales for commercial HVAC, refrigeration, and EV charging projects; direct-to-consumer platforms (EVs for Everyone, Resilient Central Coast, Míocar EV car sharing); and event-driven programming (Bike Fest, group rides, Safe Routes to School). Named customers include H Mart, Thriftway (Stormans), Hyatt Regency SFO, Mutual Housing, Mercy Housing, Tyrone Properties, the Cities of Watsonville/Santa Cruz/Capitola/Scotts Valley, UC Santa Cruz, and the County of Santa Cruz.
Ecology Action firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ecology Action
- Legal name
- Ecology Action
- Website
- https://ecoact.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Ecology Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 that advances equitable climate solutions across California through EV adoption, EV charging installation, active transportation, Complete Streets planning, water conservation, and commercial energy efficiency services in 25+ states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ecology Action industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental and Climate Action Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD), Environmental Policy, Planning & Regulation (BPAIAMAA)
Keywords
Where Ecology Action is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Cruz
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Ecology Action business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grants and Donations: Primary revenue stream from government grants (federal, state, local), foundation grants, and individual donations to fund climate programs and community initiatives.
- Energy Management Contracting Services: Fee-for-service energy efficiency consulting and general contracting services for commercial properties including audits, installations, and project management.
- EV Charging Installation Services: Direct installation of EV chargers for properties, with costs covered through grants and incentives for qualifying properties.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | EV Ready Program incentives for businesses |
| Subscription | Monthly | Míocar EV car sharing membership |
| Hybrid | Multi-year contract | DOE Food Bank Energy Efficiency Grants |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Heat Pump Water Heater Rebates for Hotels |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels8 records
Ecology Action product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ecology Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community climate solutions across five program areas: energy efficiency services (audits, retrocommissioning, HVAC, refrigeration upgrades), sustainable transportation (EV charging installation, EV purchase assistance, active transportation programs, Complete Streets planning), water conservation (turf conversion, Climate Victory Gardens), food bank energy efficiency, and community resilience education. The organization operates as a licensed California general contractor providing turnkey assessment-to-installation services, administering utility and government incentive programs across 25+ states, and reaching consumers through grant-funded community platforms.
Product overview
Ecology Action operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization rather than a single product company. Its climate action portfolio spans five interconnected program areas: (1) Active Transportation through Modo, which runs the Santa Cruz Bikeway and safe routes programs; (2) Electric Vehicle Services including EVs for Everyone (purchase assistance) and EV Charging Installation; (3) Complete Streets Initiative for infrastructure planning; (4) Community Resilience through Resilient Central Coast and Climate Victory Gardens; and (5) Energy Management Services providing funding navigation and general contracting for commercial energy efficiency projects. The organization also administers the Western State Food Bank Network Energy Efficiency Program and the completed WaterLink program. These programs function as distinct service offerings unified by Ecology Action's mission to advance equitable community climate solutions in high-GHG-emitting sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Modo: Active transportation platform helping community members find sustainable ways to get where they are going through biking, walking, and rolling programs.
- EVs for Everyone
- Resilient Central Coast
- WaterLink
Products and services
- Modo Active Transportation Program Active transportation platform encouraging people to walk, bike, and roll, including the Santa Cruz Bikeway pilot (11-mile low-stress bike route), Bike Fest events, group rides, and Safe Routes to School programs for community members across the Central Coast.
- EVs for Everyone Electric vehicle purchasing assistance program providing free 1:1 bilingual guidance to help Central Coast residents navigate incentives and the EV buying process, from maximizing rebates to deciding which EV fits their lifestyle.
- EV Charging Installation Free EV charging site evaluation and installation support for qualifying small businesses and multifamily housing properties in California, including site assessments, project designs, construction management, and access to rebates and incentives from utilities like PG&E and Peninsula Clean Energy.
- Complete Streets Initiative Street redesign initiative partnering with local agencies to implement transportation infrastructure prioritizing safety, accessibility, and sustainability for all users including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers. Includes Complete Streets planning for sidewalks, curb extensions, high-visibility crossings, protected bike lanes, transit access, signal timing, and street lighting.
- Resilient Central Coast Community-based platform empowering Central Coast residents to make sustainable changes in daily habits to reduce carbon emissions, including home efficiency and climate action guidance for homeowners and renters.
- Climate Victory Gardens Landscape transformation program offering free design services, rebates, and contractor referrals to Salinas Valley residents for converting turfgrass to water-efficient Monterey Bay Friendly Landscapes, including rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, and greywater systems.
- Western State Food Bank Network Energy Efficiency Program DOE-funded grant program supporting nonprofits (food banks, shelters, community centers) on the West Coast in planning and implementing energy efficiency projects including refrigeration, HVAC, lighting, and controls upgrades, with federal grants covering 62-77% of project costs.
- WaterLink Water and energy-efficiency upgrade program (2016-2019) providing free direct installation of hot-water conservation measures and turf conversion to underserved communities across Bay Area, Monterey Bay, and Santa Clara Valley, generating $7 million in annual utility bill savings.
- Energy Project Funding Services Funding navigation service helping commercial properties access utility incentives, federal/state grants, and on-bill financing for energy efficiency upgrades, having delivered $16.6M in incentives since 2020.
- Energy Project Contracting Services Licensed general contractor service managing commercial energy efficiency projects from assessment through installation, including ASHRAE Level 1 and 2 audits, retrocommissioning, HVAC, refrigeration, lighting, and EV charging upgrades across 25+ states.
- Míocar EV Car Sharing EV car sharing program providing affordable zero-emission mobility to Watsonville community members with 8 EVs stationed at key community locations, operated through the ZEV Co-op app and supported by a California Air Resources Board grant.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced over 3,619,051 metric tons of CO2 emissions over organizational history
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Ecology Action
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Ecology Action technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Ecology Action partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MíocarcoreEV car sharing operator partnered with City of Watsonville and Ecology Action for ¡Adelante Watsonville! program providing affordable zero-emission mobility.
- State of California Energy CommissioncoreFunding partner for EV charging infrastructure and sustainable transportation programs across California properties.
- PG&EcoreUtility partner providing rebates and incentives for EV charging installation and energy efficiency projects for California customers.
- ChargePointcoreEV charging equipment manufacturer partner for charging station installations.
- Association of Monterey Bay Area GovernmentscoreRegional planning partner participating in Complete Streets Collaborative and Netherlands study visit for transportation planning.
- Dutch Cycling EmbassycoreInternational partner that led ThinkBike Workshop and Netherlands study visit for bicycling infrastructure design expertise.
- City of WatsonvillecoreKey municipal partner for Complete Streets, Míocar EV car sharing, Traffic Gardens, and downtown planning initiatives.
- City of Santa CruzcorePartner for Bay Street Corridor Complete Streets project and Santa Cruz Bikeway pilot.
- City of CapitolacorePartner for Bay Avenue Corridor Plan and Complete Streets improvements with roundabouts.
- City of Scotts ValleycorePartner for Scotts Valley Drive Complete Streets project with buffered bike lanes.
- County of Santa CruzcorePartner for Soquel Drive Buffered Bike Lane project and regional transportation planning.
- UC Santa CruzcorePartner for bike and pedestrian safety upgrades on campus corridors.
- Transportation Agency of Monterey CountycoreRegional transportation partner in Complete Streets Collaborative and Netherlands study visit.
- SCCRTC (Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission)coreRegional transportation agency partner in Complete Streets Collaborative.
- Gazelle BikesminorSponsor of ThinkBike Workshop for bicycling education.
- Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance (ANI)coreSub-recipient partner for DOE Food Bank program providing building ownership verification and webinar development.
- California Association of Food Banks (CAFB)coreRecruiting and engaging food bank facilities across California network for energy efficiency program.
- Santa Clara Valley Water DistrictcoreWater district partner in WaterLink program serving San Francisco Bay Area.
- Monterey Peninsula Water Management DistrictcoreWater district partner in WaterLink program serving Monterey Bay Area.
- East Bay Municipal Utilities DistrictcoreWater utility partner in WaterLink program serving East Bay communities.
- California Conservation CorpscoreInstallation partner for public agency projects and turf conversion, providing green-job training.
- Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)coreMajor utility partner for energy efficiency incentives across California service territory.
- Black Hills EnergyminorUtility partner for energy efficiency programs.
- EBMUD (East Bay Municipal Utility District)coreUtility partner for water and energy efficiency programs.
- Hawaiian ElectricminorUtility partner for energy efficiency programs in Hawaii.
- LA DWP (Los Angeles Department of Water & Power)coreMunicipal utility partner for energy efficiency programs in Los Angeles.
- MCE (Marin Clean Energy)minorCommunity choice energy provider partner.
- Portland General ElectricminorUtility partner for energy efficiency programs in Oregon.
- SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District)minorUtility partner for energy efficiency programs in Sacramento.
- Seattle City LightminorMunicipal utility partner for energy efficiency programs in Seattle.
- Seattle City LightminorUtility partner for energy efficiency programs in Washington state.
- Peninsula Clean EnergycoreLaunched $28M EV Ready Program with $24M+ in project incentives for San Mateo County businesses.
- RemiscoreLeading national manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient refrigeration doors for retail settings.
- Washington Department of EcologyminorAdministering $15 million School Bus and Fleet Transition grant program for electric school buses in Washington state.
Scale indicators25 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ecology Action competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ecology Action social profiles
Digital presenceEcology Action financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ecology Action leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Ecology Action funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ecology Action M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ecology Action
What does Ecology Action do?
Ecology Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community climate solutions across five program areas: energy efficiency services (audits, retrocommissioning, HVAC, refrigeration upgrades), sustainable transportation (EV charging installation, EV purchase assistance, active transportation programs, Complete Streets planning), water conservation (turf conversion, Climate Victory Gardens), food bank energy efficiency, and community resilience education. The organization operates as a licensed California general contractor providing turnkey assessment-to-installation services, administering utility and government incentive programs across 25+ states, and reaching consumers through grant-funded community platforms.
Is Ecology Action a public or private company?
Ecology Action is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ecology Action founded?
Ecology Action was founded in 1970. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Ecology Action based?
Ecology Action is headquartered in Santa Cruz, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ecology Action make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grants and Donations are the primary driver. The others are energy Management Contracting Services and EV Charging Installation Services.
Does Ecology Action have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ecology Action.
What industry is Ecology Action in?
Ecology Action's product category is Environmental and Climate Action Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAH, Environmental Education & Outreach. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.