Civicorps
Civicorps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides paid job training, education, and certifications to young adults aged 18-26 in the East Bay through two social enterprises: conservation/land management services and commercial recycling collection in Oakland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Civicorps does
Civicorps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 as the East Bay Conservation Corps and headquartered in West Oakland, California. The organization delivers paid job training, education, and industry certifications to approximately 221-249 young adults aged 18-26 annually, with a participant population characterized by systemic barriers including foster care involvement (22%), justice-system contact (33%), housing instability, and high school non-completion. Programming is delivered through two social enterprises — Civicorps Environmental Management, which performs conservation, trail construction, wildland fire mitigation, habitat restoration, and waterway improvement for 11 public agencies, and Civicorps Recycling, which provides commercial recycling collection services to 1,200-1,300 businesses across Oakland and the East Bay.
The integrated program model combines paid work experience (starting wages $17-$19/hour), industry-recognized credentials (OSHA-10, chainsaw, brushcutter, Class B CDL, S-130/S-190 wildland fire training), a Conservation Intern Investment Program with milestone-based bonuses, an on-site high school diploma pathway via the Alameda County Office of Education's Opportunity Academy, and wraparound supports including counseling, transportation stipends, housing referrals, childcare navigation, and legal referrals. Career placement targets union trucking positions through a Teamsters Local 70/Waste Management apprenticeship at $75,000+ starting salary plus pension, as well as conservation careers with CalTrans, EBMUD, EBRPD, and the Port of Oakland.
Revenue mechanics are hybrid: government contracts (CalTrans, EBMUD, EBRPD, CalRecycle, Port of Oakland, City of Oakland) fund conservation work; commercial recycling fees (priced 40-50% below standard garbage rates) generate earned revenue; foundation grants (Tipping Point, Hellman, Crankstart, Lowell Berry, OFCY, CDSS) and corporate sponsorships ($1,000-$75,000 annually) underwrite program operations; and individual donations (monthly GEMs program, planned giving, stock gifts) supplement. The organization operated exclusively in Alameda County until October 2023, when a satellite Job Training Center opened in Pittsburg, Contra Costa County.
Civicorps firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Civicorps
- Legal name
- Civicorps
- Website
- https://cvcorps.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Civicorps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides paid job training, education, and certifications to young adults aged 18-26 in the East Bay through two social enterprises: conservation/land management services and commercial recycling collection in Oakland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Civicorps industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Workforce Development and Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Services (61), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where Civicorps is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Civicorps business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Contracts: Revenue from contracts with partner agencies including CalTrans, EBMUD, EBRPD, and CalRecycle for conservation and environmental projects. These partnerships fund corpsmember wages and program operations.
- Commercial Recycling Services: Fee-for-service commercial recycling collection to Oakland and East Bay businesses. Civicorps Recycling serves over 1,200 accounts collecting over 300,000 pounds of recycling materials monthly. All revenue supports youth development and workforce training programs.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide funding at various levels ($1,000-$75,000 annually) in exchange for recognition, vehicle branding, and social media exposure. Supports general operating costs including counseling, wellness programming, and nutritional support.
- Foundation and Government Grants: Funding from foundations and government agencies supporting youth development, conservation, and workforce training programs. Includes support from Tipping Point, Hellman Foundation, Crankstart Foundation, City of Oakland, Port of Oakland, and state agencies.
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individual donors including monthly giving program (GEMs), one-time gifts, stock gifts, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and legacy/planned giving. Supports corpsmember services and program operations.
- AmeriCorps Education Awards: Corpsmembers earn education awards ($1,221-$5,775 depending on hours worked) that can be applied to post-secondary education at colleges or trade schools.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Conservation Intern - Starting position |
| Subscription | Monthly | Recycling Driver Pre-Apprenticeship |
| Subscription | Monthly | Crew Leader Promotion |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Conservation Intern Investment Program (CIIP) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Commercial Recycling Services |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | AmeriCorps Education Awards |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels11 records
Civicorps product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Civicorps provides paid, full-time job training and education programs for young adults aged 18-26 (with or without a high school diploma) through two social enterprises: Environmental Management (trail construction, wildland fire mitigation, habitat restoration, waterway improvement) and Recycling (commercial single-stream recycling, e-waste, beverage container, and tire/oil collection for Oakland businesses). Integrated wraparound services include on-site high school diploma instruction via Opportunity Academy, industry certifications (OSHA-10, chainsaw, brushcutter, Class B CDL, wildland fire), counseling, housing/childcare referrals, and pathway placement with employers including Waste Management, CalTrans, EBMUD, and EBRPD.
Product overview
Civicorps is a non-profit organization offering a suite of integrated youth development and job training programs. The organization operates two primary social enterprises: Environmental Management (conservation, wildfire mitigation, trail maintenance, habitat restoration) and Recycling (commercial collection services, e-waste, beverage containers). These core programs are supported by an Education pathway (high school diploma via Opportunity Academy), Health & Wellness services (counseling, transportation, food, housing referrals), and Career Pathways featuring industry certifications (chainsaw, Class B driving license, OSHA-10). The organization serves youth aged 18-26, providing wraparound support to help participants achieve educational credentials and enter family-sustaining careers in conservation and recycling sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Civicorps Recycling: Social enterprise providing commercial recycling collection services to Oakland businesses while training young adults to enter truck-driving careers.
- Civicorps Environmental Management Social Enterprise
Products and services
- Environmental Management Social Enterprise (Conservation Programs) A conservation job training program where corpsmembers perform environmental enhancement and mitigation projects including trail construction, wildland fire mitigation, habitat restoration, shoreline resiliency, and waterway improvement across the Bay Area, delivered under contract with 11 public agencies including CalTrans, EBMUD, EBRPD, Alameda County Flood Control, Port of Oakland, and CalRecycle.
- Civicorps Recycling Social Enterprise A commercial recycling collection service providing single-stream recycling, beverage container, e-waste, and used oil/tire collection to 1,200+ Oakland businesses while training young adults in Class B CDL truck driving careers. Unique as the only non-profit job training program included in a major city garbage franchise agreement.
- Teamster Truck Driver Career Pathway Free Class B truck driver training program for East Bay youth, delivered through a partnership between Civicorps Recycling, Waste Management, Teamsters Local 70, and the City of Oakland, providing licensing and a recognized Teamster apprenticeship pathway yielding union trucking positions starting at $75,000/year plus pension.
- High School Diploma Program (Opportunity Academy Partnership) Education program operated in partnership with Alameda County Office of Education's Opportunity Academy that helps corpsmembers earn a California-issued standard high school diploma while working, delivered via Independent Study with two permanently stationed teachers and a minimum 130-credit graduation requirement.
- Conservation Intern Investment Program (CIIP) Structured corpsmember development program that tracks training and certification milestones across career readiness workshops, job performance reviews, skill development, community participation, and awards; rewards completion with a $300 bonus and $0.50 hourly raise.
- Community Support Services Disaster response, crisis support, community beautification, food bank partnerships, and Pallet shelter programs supporting the local community during emergencies and ongoing needs, including CERT-certified staff ready to provide emergency assistance under an Oakland Fire Department partnership.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5,000+ young adults served since 1983, approximately 249 annually
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Civicorps
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Civicorps technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Civicorps partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Waste ManagementcoreMajor employer partner with Teamster apprenticeship program. Civicorps is the only non-profit job training program included in Waste Management's City of Oakland garbage franchise agreement. Graduates eligible for Teamster Truck Driver positions starting at $75,000/year plus pension. Partnership provides vehicle, certified trainer, and all DMV/licensing costs for Class B training.
- Teamsters Local 70coreUnion partnership enabling Class B licensed corpsmembers to transfer to Waste Management as recognized Teamster apprentices, leading to union trucking positions with full benefits and pension.
- East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD)core30+ year partnership for conservation projects including habitat restoration, trail construction, wildland fire mitigation, and shoreline resiliency. Corpsmembers work under supervision of professional Park Rangers.
- CalTranscoreCareer pathway partner and employer of corpsmember graduates. Projects include Active Transportation improvements to regional trails including SF Bay, San Leandro Creek, Iron Horse, Contra Costa, Delta De Anza trails.
- East Bay MUD (EBMUD)corePartner for waterway improvement and fire fuel mitigation projects. Corpsmembers perform vegetation management, debris removal, and erosion control to protect water resources and regional water supply.
- Alameda County Flood Control AgencycoreWaterway improvement partnership. Corpsmembers maintain 26 miles of flood channel annually in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to protect people and property from water damage.
- California Conservation Corps (CCC)majorState conservation corps partner. Includes Backcountry Trails Program (BCTP) pathway where corpsmembers can earn AmeriCorps scholarships. Civicorps helps BCTP alumni (70% work in conservation fields) and received Project of the Year 2022 award.
- Tri-Valley RecyclingmajorE-waste recycling partner since 2015. Civicorps collects E-waste from businesses and delivers to Tri-Valley facilities. Partner of Cal Micro Recycling (Ontario, CA) with R2 and ISO 140001 certifications.
- Tech ExchangemajorIT asset recycling partnership where Civicorps Recycling collects IT assets from East Bay industries. Also hosts two Civicorps interns for IT skills training. Provides refurbished computers to East Bay families and diverted 700+ tons from landfills.
- Alameda County Office of Education - Opportunity AcademycoreOn-site high school diploma program with two teachers permanently stationed at Civicorps. Corpsmembers earn California-issued standard high school diplomas through Independent Study program. Minimum 130 credits required for graduation.
- Oakland Fire DepartmentmajorCommunity Emergency Response Team (CERT) certification provider. First time Oakland Fire Department trained an entire organization's staff. Crew supervisors and leaders trained in disaster survival skills.
- Alameda County Community Food BankmajorPandemic response partner during COVID-19. Corpsmembers worked 40 hours/week helping produce nearly 2 million pounds of food in first months, enough to feed 600,000 neighbors.
- Ever Forward - Siempre AdelanteminorCommunity organization referral partner for youth development and educational equity. Refers young people to Civicorps programs and supports youth from underserved backgrounds.
- Dr. Huey P. Newton FoundationminorCommunity beautification partner. Civicorps provides ongoing maintenance and care for the space where Huey's bust resides, supporting neighborhood beautification and Mandela Parkway median flower planting.
- Peralta Community College DistrictmajorCollege pathway partner. Civicorps helps corpsmembers enroll in local colleges (Laney College, etc.) and apply for financial aid. Supports transition to post-secondary education and trade schools.
- PalletmajorPartner in tiny home shelter project with LA Conservation Corps and San Jose Conservation Corps. Coalition built 960+ tiny homes including 110 in Oakland. Awarded National Project of the Year 2022.
- MyPathminorFinancial literacy training partner. Provides financial education services to corpsmembers to support long-term financial stability.
- HivelyminorChildcare referral partner specializing in high-quality childcare referrals and parent education for corpsmembers with children (approximately 30% of participants).
- BananasminorChildcare referral partner supporting parents in the program with childcare referrals and family support services.
- City of OaklandcoreMunicipal partner including garbage franchise agreement, recycling collection, community beautification projects, and Pallet shelter project. Employer pathway partner through various city departments.
- Bay Nature MagazineminorMedia partner featuring Civicorps conservation work in Bay Nature Local Hero Awards and magazine coverage highlighting Job Training Center and environmental stewardship.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Civicorps competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Los Angeles Conservation Corps: LA-based conservation corps offering similar paid job training, education, and wraparound supports for opportunity youth aged 18-26. Co-recipient with Civicorps of the 2022 National Project of the Year (Pallet shelter project), making it the closest comparable peer in the same operational model and target population.
- San Jose Conservation Corps: California conservation corps providing workforce development, conservation, and education programs for young adults. Also a co-recipient of the 2022 Pallet shelter project award; comparable in mission, programmatic mix, and reliance on AmeriCorps/California state funding streams.
Broad incumbents
- California Conservation Corps: State-run conservation corps modeled after the original Civilian Conservation Corps. Operates the Backcountry Trails Program (BCTP), the same pathway that funnels alumni to Civicorps, and competes for overlapping conservation contracts across California; key partner and partial competitor.
- Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit training young adults ages 18-26 from low-income communities for corporate careers. Compared to Civicorps, serves a similar demographic but focuses on IT and corporate pathways rather than conservation/recycling apprenticeships; useful comp on outcome metrics and nonprofit workforce funding flows.
- AmeriCorps / NCCC: Federal service program that funds Civicorps' education awards and serves a similar target population through related service-year pathways. Acts as both a critical funding source and an indirect competing service-year option for opportunity youth weighing Civicorps versus national programs.
Regional players
- JobTrain: Menlo Park-based nonprofit providing job training and wraparound support for low-income adults and youth in the Bay Area. Comparable in vocational training (trades, technology), wraparound services model, and reliance on foundation/government funding, though broader in age range.
- Rubicon Programs: Richmond, CA-based nonprofit addressing poverty and reentry through workforce development, supportive housing, and case management. Operates social enterprises and shares Civicorps' 'earn-while-you-learn' approach for individuals facing systemic barriers; comparable funder base and East Bay geography.
Others
- The Corps Network: National membership organization of 130+ service and conservation corps. Awards body for Civicorps' multiple National Corpsmember of the Year and Project of the Year honors; provides shared federal advocacy, AmeriCorps funding access, and peer learning that directly benefits Civicorps' scale ambitions.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Civicorps social profiles
Digital presenceCivicorps financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Civicorps leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Civicorps funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Civicorps 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 Civicorps
What does Civicorps do?
Civicorps provides paid, full-time job training and education programs for young adults aged 18-26 (with or without a high school diploma) through two social enterprises: Environmental Management (trail construction, wildland fire mitigation, habitat restoration, waterway improvement) and Recycling (commercial single-stream recycling, e-waste, beverage container, and tire/oil collection for Oakland businesses). Integrated wraparound services include on-site high school diploma instruction via Opportunity Academy, industry certifications (OSHA-10, chainsaw, brushcutter, Class B CDL, wildland fire), counseling, housing/childcare referrals, and pathway placement with employers including Waste Management, CalTrans, EBMUD, and EBRPD.
Is Civicorps a public or private company?
Civicorps is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Civicorps founded?
Civicorps was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Civicorps based?
Civicorps is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Civicorps make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are commercial Recycling Services, corporate Sponsorships, foundation and Government Grants, individual Donations and ameriCorps Education Awards.
Who are Civicorps's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Los Angeles Conservation Corps and San Jose Conservation Corps. Broad incumbents are California Conservation Corps, Year Up and AmeriCorps / NCCC. Regional players are JobTrain and Rubicon Programs. The Corps Network is listed as an others.
Does Civicorps have an API?
No public API is recorded for Civicorps.
What industry is Civicorps in?
Civicorps's product category is Youth Workforce Development and Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAD, Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth), with a secondary code of EDAAAFAN, Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills). Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8200.